After much collaboration with business leaders, community organizations, and industry representatives, the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present its 2018 Legislative Agenda.

This year’s legislative agenda reflects the Chamber’s mission to promote, stimulate and improve business by building upon recent efforts and introducing new goals that represent the region’s evolving economy.

Notably, the legislative agenda addresses our growing research and technology industry, emphasizes economic and workforce development initiatives that enhance health care, research, and life sciences clusters, and focuses on transportation projects to improve I-81, the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport, and connectivity throughout Virginia’s Blue Ridge.

The Chamber continues to advocate for the GO Virginia initiative, mental health services, Certificate of Public Need (COPN) reform, expansion of workforce training, and safe development of cost effective, traditional, and renewable energy sources.

The Roanoke Regional Chamber is proud to serve as the voice of the region’s business community. We welcome ideas and feedback on public policy that may impact your business. To share your thoughts or to become more involved with the Chamber’s advocacy committees, email Rebekah Gunn at RGunn@RoanokeChamber.org.

Click here to read the Chamber’s full legislative agenda.

Success in credentials grant program: Governor McAuliffe recently reported on the success of the New Economy Workforce Credentials Grant program, legislation that we ardently supported. In its first year, the program enabled 2,173 Virginian to receive credentials, licenses and certifications, representing more than half of the 4,268 total credentials issued through Virginia’s Community Colleges. Click here to read more.

CNBC Ranks Virginia in Top Ten for Business: In its most recent scorecard, CNBC ranked Virginia the 7th best state to do business. This is a significant improvement from the Commonwealth’s 2016 ranking as #13. CNBC considers factors, such as cost of doing business, workforce, quality of life, and technology and innovation in its methodology. Click here for more information on the study.

Virginia moves forward with FirstNet: Governor McAuliffe signed a letter of intent with FirstNet and AT&T in a step toward implementing wireless broadband for Virginia’s public safety personnel. Through this development, our fire, police, EMS, and emergency management crews will have access to a highly secure broadband network that will allow them to communicate more efficiently in emergency situations. To learn more, click here.