Commonwealth Posts 10.6 Percent Revenue Growth in April

May 17, 2012

Our bipartisan effort to enact pro-business policies focused on job creation continues to foster a recovery more robust than elsewhere in the nation. However it remains too soon to celebrate and lose focus on our fragile economy. We must redouble our efforts to ensure our government is running at peak efficiency, and we must continue to aggressively pursue new business investments and job-creation strategies in Virginia to fan the flames of this recovery and put back to work the 250,000 Virginians still in need of good-paying jobs.

Gov. McDonnell and Coach Smart team up for kids

Apr 24, 2012

Governor McDonnell and VCU Coach Shaka Smart spoke to 5th graders at Overby-Sheppard Elementary in Richmond yesterday about leadership and team building. Watch the coverage from WTVR.

Growing Strong - Opportunity Virginia

Apr 24, 2012

With unemployment at over a 3-year low, agricultural exports at a record high, and thousands of Virginians working again, this is a great time to recognize all the great things happening in our tremendous Commonwealth. Virginians have written an incredible story; this ad tells it. Together, we are growing strong again.

Governor McDonnell, VCU Basketball Coach Shaka Smart and Navy SEAL John McGuire Talk Leadership

Apr 23, 2012

Governor McDonnell joined VCU men’s basketball coach Shaka Smart and the VCU basketball team to talk to students at Overby-Sheppard Elementary about leadership, team building and becoming stronger, healthier and more confident. Afterwards, Navy SEAL John McGuire and his team led the students in a series of workout activities.

Governor McDonnell Kicks-Off “Governor’s Bowl” Food and Fund Drive

Apr 23, 2012

The ‘Governor’s Bowl’ is a unique opportunity to bring large corporations, small businesses, and public sector employees together for a cause that everyone can agree with – and that is combating hunger in our communities.

Virginia saw stronger job gains in 2011

Apr 23, 2012

Encouraging news: Virginia saw nonfarm employment grow by 42,300 jobs in 2011 with an average unemployment rate 2.7 points below the national average. Still much work to be done.

Fourth Consecutive Monthly Decrease in Virginia Unemployment Rate

Apr 20, 2012

Virginia is growing strong again. Today we received word that the state unemployment rate has now declined for the fourth straight month. At 5.6% our unemployment rate is far below the national unemployment rate of 8.2%. We have the lowest unemployment rate in the Southeastern United States. And we have fallen far below the 7.3% unemployment rate we inherited when taking office in January 2010. All of this means: more Virginians are working today.

Now, we must keep this positive momentum going. Virginia’s economy is recovering, but it is still early. Too many Virginians still need good jobs. Our work isn’t through until they are working again. This afternoon, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore and I will visit Shenandoah Growers in Harrisonburg as part of our ongoing “Year of the Entrepreneur” in the Commonwealth. We’re going to meet with CEO and President Timothy Heydon and employees, tour the operation, and hear directly from them what Richmond should, and should not, do in order to ensure that this Virginia business can continue to grow and create more good paying jobs for hard working Virginians. I look forward to this visit. And I look forward to continuing to work with Democrats, Republicans, job-creators, and all Virginians to continue to grow our economy and build a true ‘Commonwealth of Opportunity’ for all our citizens.

Fighting Hunger Together

Apr 20, 2012

Danville is one of 200 communities entered in Walmart’s national Fighting Hunger Together contest. The winning community will receive $1 million towards fighting hunger locally and the next 20 will receive $50,000 each. Please join me in supporting Danville and fighting hunger in Virginia.

Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Population Reaches Near 20 Year High

Apr 19, 2012

The crab population is the highest it has been in the past 20 years, and to see this record production of juveniles is truly remarkable. This shows exciting progress for the stock rebuilding program with our Maryland partners, and is great news for our crabbers and everyone who enjoys genuine Chesapeake Bay crab cakes and she-crab soup, which I recommend be paired with a nice Virginia white wine. I want to applaud all those who have worked to make this incredible progress possible, including my predecessor Governor Tim Kaine and his Administration, and Governor O’Malley and his Administration in Annapolis. This is a bipartisan success story.

Governor McDonnell Announces New Virginia Wine Region Signs

Apr 19, 2012

First Lady Maureen McDonnell unveiled a new Virginia wine region sign program aimed at attracting more visitors to Virginia wineries today at King Family Vineyards in Crozet. Virginia wineries and vineyards support 4,800 jobs that provide $156 million total in wages. Last year, approximately 1.6 million people visited Virginia wineries.

Read the full announcement here: