Governor McDonnell Designates May 2nd - 6th as Business Appreciation Week 2011
– Statewide events to recognize Virginia businesses –

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell today announced the designation of May 2nd through 6th as Business Appreciation Week 2011 in the Commonwealth. Coordinated each year by the Virginia Department of Business Assistance, this week is dedicated to celebrating contributions of Virginia businesses to their communities and individual opportunity. This year's theme, "Entrepreneurship and Innovation for a Sustainable Future," was chosen to highlight the Governor's priority of making Virginia the "Energy Capital of the East Coast," as well as focusing on encouraging alternative technologies. 

Speaking about Business Appreciation Week, Governor McDonnell remarked "Private sector business is leading the way to Virginia's recovery as leaders in the business community expand and create jobs. This year's theme, 'Entrepreneurship and Innovation for a Sustainable Future' is fitting.  The recent painful spike in gas and energy prices underscores the need for greater domestic energy production and the development of innovative, cost-effective sources of energy here in Virginia.  This is a challenge too urgent to be slowed down red tape and burdensome government regulation – we must instead encourage the power of the private sector to develop our domestic energy resources.  This week, we recognize and celebrate the amazing work that our entrepreneurs and innovators do to create a sustainable future for the Commonwealth." 

The annual Business Appreciation Week Breakfast is scheduled to be the official kick-off of the week on Monday, May 2nd. Localities across Virginia have scheduled activities to recognize their area businesses owners and operators. For a complete listing of statewide events, visit www.vdba.virginia.gov.

The Governor has issued a proclamation designating the week and the theme.  Collateral materials and logos have been created in relation to the theme and are distributed to local governments, chambers of commerce, and other organizations that sponsor events recognizing businesses in their jurisdiction. For more information, go to http://www.vdba.virginia.gov/BAW2011/. 

The Virginia Department of Business Assistance (VDBA), created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1996, provides a one-stop-service for technical assistance related to business formation, access to capital, and workforce development. VDBA works with existing businesses as they grow their workforce and mentors entrepreneurs from ideas to launching their first business venture. To accomplish the objectives set forth in Governor McDonnell's Economic Development and Jobs Creation agenda, VDBA has provided $1.37 billion in financing for Virginia businesses, provided technical assistance to over 16,250 businesses and will host over 60 Entrepreneurial Workshops statewide this year. 

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