RICHMOND - Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced that two Virginia companies have been named recipients of Trade & Industry Development’s 12th annual CiCi (Corporate Investment & Community Impact) Awards. The leading magazine dedicated to corporate site selectors in vertical industry segments recognized ADP (City of Norfolk) and Microsoft Corporation (Mecklenburg County) in the Community Impact category. Thirty companies were selected, out of several hundred projects submitted, based on their announced plans for economic development in 2016.
Criteria considered for CiCi Awards in the Community Impact division includes the number of jobs created and/or retained, unemployment figures in the area, average income level of the region, and area plant closings or decline in industry segments and the creation of new industry segments with employment opportunities, among others.
“ADP and Microsoft both represent tremendous wins for Virginia, and we are proud that two projects in the Commonwealth were selected out of hundreds submitted for this prestigious award,” said Governor McAuliffe. “As we continue working to diversify and build the new Virginia economy, we thank our invaluable corporate partners that provide jobs for Virginians and make major impacts in their regions. The Commonwealth continues to prove its global competitiveness, and recognition from esteemed sources like Trade & Industry Development sheds more light on the advantages of doing business in Virginia.”
In March 2016, Governor McAuliffe announced that ADP, a comprehensive global provider of cloud-based human capital management solutions and business process outsourcing services, analytics, and compliance expertise, would invest $32.25 million to establish a regional customer service center in the City of Norfolk, creating approximately 1,800 new jobs.
The Governor announced Microsoft Corporation’s fifth expansion at its Mecklenburg County data center in November. The company will invest $251.6 million and create 44 new jobs, representing a total investment of nearly $2 billion and more than 250 new jobs since 2010.
“The 30 companies represented in the 2017 CiCi Awards have committed to economic development that not only will bring extraordinary capital investment to the communities in which they will locate, but will have an extraordinarily positive impact on those communities, most notably those included in the Community Impact category,” said Scott D. Swoger, publisher of Trade & Industry Development and president of its parent company, Due North Media.
“ADP’s arrival has sparked incredible economic momentum for the City of Norfolk,” said Kenneth Cooper Alexander, Norfolk Mayor. “Their presence here is by all means remarkable. The impact they will have on Norfolk, and the Commonwealth, merits this award and much more. We look forward to continuing our partnership with this significant company, and expanding the presence of diverse and innovative industries in Norfolk.”
Mecklenburg County is honored to have the Microsoft project win this prestigious award,” said Wayne Carter, Mecklenburg County Administrator. “Microsoft made its initial announcement in 2010 and have continued to grow the Boydton campus for the past 7 years. As one of the County's larger businesses, their impact on our locality and region has been tremendous, when looking at their employment figures and investment. Microsoft continues to grow and improve the lives of Mecklenburg County citizens.
Read more about the 12th annual CiCi Awards.
Virginia Economic Development Partnership
Virginia Economic Development Partnership, a marketing organization, was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1995 to encourage, stimulate, and support the development and expansion of the economy of the Commonwealth. To accomplish its objectives of promoting economic expansion within the Commonwealth, the Partnership focuses its efforts on business recruitment, expansion and international trade. VEDP has offices in Virginia, China, Japan, India and the United Kingdom.