VA Senate Rejects Governor's Econ Dev Plan- Except Biotech!

Washington Post: "Legislative and budgetary measures designed to create jobs are Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell's top priorities for the current legislative session. So it may be no great surprise the Democratic-led Senate Finance Committee declined to include most of his package in the budget it passed Sunday."

"Senators noted they did include funding for a new biotech center in Northern Virginia, as endorsed by McDonnell. And they passed a variety of tax credits and other bills that McDonnell wanted for job creation, each of which has budgetary impact."

For more click here.

New biotechnology scholarship available at NOVA :: Northern Virginia Community College

Northern Virginia Community College is accepting applications for a new scholarship sponsored by Rividium, Inc. The Rividium Biotechnology Scholarship will provide $3,000 per year for two years for a student who plans to enroll full time in NOVA’s Biotechnology Program beginning in fall 2010.

To be eligible, applicants must be graduating from a local high school this year, have a minimum 3.0 grade point average and qualify for financial aid as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The biotechnology associate degree program prepares graduates for employment in entry-level positions as laboratory, research or manufacturing technicians at biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. Coursework covers basic scientific principles in biology and chemistry and emphasizes laboratory techniques and procedures.

The application deadline is March 15. To access the application, click here.

For more information, call Ia Gomez at 703-530-8255."

VA Del. Chris Peace: Support Capital Gains Exclusion for Biotech in Virginia

"Encouraging innovation and technology: Former Secretary of Commerce and Trade Bob Skunda along with the executive director of the Virginia Biotechnology Association, Mark Herzog, have brought nearly 60 businesses to the Virginia BioTechnology Research Park in downtown Richmond. These businesses have diversified our marketplace and made the region attractive to those who wish to explore the cutting edge of research and development. The park's businesses include life science companies, research institutes, and government laboratories -- and employ close to 2,000 people. In order to aide our statewide competitiveness in this sector -- as well as attract more scientists, engineers, and researchers who bring additional jobs to the commonwealth -- Del. Sam Nixon and Sen. Mark Herring (HB523/SB 428) introduced the Virginia Innovation Investment Act, which is a capital gains exclusion on income earned from a qualified investment in an advanced technology company in Virginia. There is a three-year window for the investment to be made. This bill will incentivize individuals and corporations to make investments in Virginia businesses that would not otherwise have occurred."

Click here for the full story from the Richmond Times Dispatch.

Flashback: John Crowley from "Extraordinary Measures" in Virginia

 
John Crowley, the man who started a biotech company with the express purpose of saving his own kids suffering with Pompe's Disease, was a keynote speaker at the 2004 Virginia Biotechnology Summit in McLean. His story has been made into the Hollywood film "Extraordinary Measures" starring Harrison Ford and Brendan Fraser. The photo is from his speech he made to the audience that night at the banquet.

For more pictures from the event, click here.

HGS CEO Cites Virginia as Success in Growing & Attracting Biotech

Tom Watkins, CEO of Human Genome Sciences and the chairman of the Maryland Life Sciences Advisory Board, commented recently on Maryland's economic development plan and competition from other states:

"We have to be realistic," he said, pointing out that it is a 10-year plan. "Other states, such as Virginia, are being aggressive in growing and attracting biotechnology companies. So we have to be forward-looking."

H. Thomas Watkins
CEO, Human Genome Sciences
January 29, 2010

http://www.gazette.net/stories/01292010/businew175358_32548.php

Biotechnology Is Part of Jobs and Opporunities Agenda

In a column published in the Augusta Free Press yesterday, Lt. Governor Bill Bolling referenced biotechnology as a part of the administation's jobs and opportunities agenda.

"We will be able to invest in a number of strategic programs that are designed to improve Virginia’s ability to attract enhanced manufacturing facilities, become the East Coast’s energy leader and assert our position as a great place for biotechnology and life sciences companies."

Read the column here.