Honor Our Veterans by Hiring Them

The nation will pause at 11:11 on 11/11 to honor the men and women who served in the United States military.  Parades, wreath-laying ceremonies, the playing of taps are all traditional on Veterans Day.  The Hampton Roads Chamber and the Hampton Roads Workforce Council urges the business community to go further, honor our veterans by hiring them.

Unlike a hurricane or flood which primarily causes physical damage to a relatively limited geographic area and time, this pandemic has wreaked incredible damage to the region’s entire population and as of now, has no real end in sight.  Many people’s lives, habits and outlook have been forever changed by this singular event.

Agricola grew in his position throughout his many years with the Chamber.  He retires this month as the Executive Vice President for Governmental Affairs. In this position he covered the General Assembly every year, living in Richmond for the Sessions.

The Supreme Court found that the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, like more than 50 other pipelines already do, can run more than 600 feet below a one-tenth of a mile section of the Appalachian Trail with Forest Service approval.  The pipeline will be installed a half-mile away from the trail on each side. No one walking on that path will even know that one of the most important economic development projects in the history of Commonwealth runs beneath the trail.  Just like they don’t realize they walk or drive over dozens of pipelines every day.

It is clear we are facing not only a health crisis but also an economic crisis.

While we are resilient and determined to overcome, we must have the courage of our elected leaders to make decisions that support and encourage the economic freedom that will enable recovery. Hampton Roads' 400-year history is a story of recovery and resilience. Together, we have successfully responded to major shocks — wars, epidemics, fires, floods, economic downturns, unemployment, and more. Our long experience in effectively dealing with adverse situations has wired us not only to survive challenging times but to come through them stronger than before.  We will triumph once again but must set the conditions for success.  It begins by smartly, but also expeditiously, re-opening businesses.  

Pivot to the Positive

Executive Summary:

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an incredible impact on the worldwide, national, state and local economy.  The effects of which will reverberate for years to come.  While the immediate recovery of as many of the region’s small businesses as possible, regional leaders have to realize that we will not, and should not, desire to return to status quo ante.

This paper outlines the goals, steps and tools needed to help take the region’s economy from Disaster to Growth.

Hampton Roads Weekly had the opportunity to discuss the impact of changes in committee assignments in our House of Delegates and Senate with Hampton Roads Chamber President and CEO, Bryan K. Stephens.