Commonwealth of Virginia
Office of Governor Bob McDonnell

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 5, 2010
Contact: Stacey Johnson
Phone: (804) 225-4260
E-mail: Stacey.Johnson@Governor.Virginia.Gov

Governor McDonnell Promotes Virginia’s Seafood Industry, Tours Vineyard in Visit to Eastern Shore

~ Participates in Groundbreaking for New Robert S. Bloxom Eastern Shore Agricultural Complex in Melfa; Highlights Wine Industry at Chatham Vineyards and Winery in Machipongo~
--Melfa Complex Named After Former Virginia Delegate and Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Robert S. Bloxom--

MELFA- Governor Bob McDonnell visited the Eastern Shore today to participate in the groundbreaking for a new Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) regional office and seafood packing facility in Melfa. Later he took a tour of the Chatham Vineyards and Winery in Machipongo. The Governor was joined on the trip by First Lady Maureen McDonnell; Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore; and Matt Lohr, newly appointed Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Speaking about the groundbreaking for the Robert S. Bloxom Eastern Shore Agricultural Complex in Melfa, the Governor noted, “Virginia’s seafood industry is one of the oldest industries in the United States and one of the Commonwealth’s most economically important. We are the nation’s fourth largest producer of marine products, trailing only Alaska, Louisiana and Washington. The annual economic impact of the industry is over half a billion dollars a year, and there are approximately 11,000 full and part-time jobs in Virginia connected to the seafood industry. It is a vital part of the Virginia economy of today and tomorrow. And it is with a focus on tomorrow that we are breaking ground on this new facility –it will meet the needs of our seafood industry well into the 21st century. It will also encourage the further development of one of Virginia’s greatest natural resources, our fisheries, as well as the expansion of statewide, regional, domestic, and international markets for these great products.”

Commenting on the visit to the Chatham Vineyards and Winery, McDonnell remarked, “Wineries and vineyards across the Commonwealth, both large and small, contribute significantly to Virginia’s economy, providing jobs and financial benefits. With the help of bipartisan legislation passed this session that supports the Commonwealth's wine and grape promotional and research efforts, the Virginia wine industry, including Chatham Vineyards and Winery, will be able to grow and attract more visitors from all over the world. That is a win-win for Virginia.”

Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, Todd Haymore, added, "The Eastern Shore is one of the most important agricultural regions of the Commonwealth. "From seafood to vegetables to poultry to grains to wine grapes, the Eastern Shore is responsible for producing some of the highest quality and most in demand products in the nation and around the world. The Robert S. Bloxom Eastern Shore Agricultural Complex and workers manning this new facility will help ensure that the growers, producers, and watermen on the Eastern Shore will have the resources that they need to continue producing these top quality products."

To enhance the economic opportunities for the citizens of the Eastern Shore of Virginia, the Commonwealth is establishing a centralized, modern facility for freezing and storing fresh seafood products at the site of the Eastern Shore Farmers’ Market. Today’s system allows fishermen to unload product directly at the dock for sale to wholesale and retail outlets represented there. With blast freezing and freezer storage, fishermen can spread out the catch instead of flooding the market, and they can add value to the product, thus commanding a higher price. In addition, a new office facility for VDACS will be built to consolidate agency marketing and consumer protection services into one location. Office space for the Eastern Shore Soil and Water Conservation District will also be provided in the new office building.

We have launched our Parksley FAQ - a feature designed to enable users to ask and answer questions, to share their knowledge of Parksley, Virginia, and to create a knowledge base of frequently asked questions about Parksley, Virginia. Visitors and residents are welcome and encouraged to submit questions. If you know the answer to a posted questions, please feel free to share your knowledge and submit an answer. If you believe a posted answer is wrong, or could be improved, please post a comment. The Parksley FAQ feature may be accessed from the user menu in the left column of each page.

ESVBA Board Meeting - Accomack Airport
Start: 03/10/2010 - 15:00
End: 03/10/2010 - 17:00
Monthly Meeting of the Board of Directors

ESVBA Board Meeting - ESVBA Office
Start: 04/14/2010 - 15:00
End: 04/14/2010 - 17:00
Monthly Meeting of the Board of Directors

ESVBA Board Meeting - Accomack Airport
Start: 05/12/2010 - 15:00
End: 05/12/2010 - 17:00
Monthly Meeting of the Board of Directors

ESVBA Board Meeting - Accomack Airport
Start: 06/09/2010 - 15:00
End: 06/09/2010 - 17:00
Monthly Meeting of the Board of Directors

The Eastern Shore of Virginia Broadband Authority has been formed to bring improved broadband and telecommunications services to the businesses and residents of the Eastern Shore of Virginia. The Authority is a public not for profit company created under the Virginia Wireless Service Authorities Act, Chapter 54.1 §15.2-543.1.1 et seq. and by a resolution of the Counties of Northampton and Accomack.

The Eastern Shore of Virginia Broadband Initiative is made up of three main projects:
1. The Southern Portion of the fiber backbone
2. The Northern Portion of the fiber backbone
3. The Last Mile (Community Networks)

The backbone will be an open access network allowing public companies to provide services to the businesses and residents of the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

The main goal of the first project within the initiative is to plan, design and construct a fiber backbone from Norfolk in the South to Cape Charles across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. This project is funded by NASA and will be installed by Mid Atlantic Broadband.

The second major project is to plan, design and construct the Northern Portion of the fiber backbone from Cape Charles to Wallops connecting with Maryland Broadband in the North. The backbone will follow the Railway ROW in this project. The Northern Portion project is funded by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and the US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA).

The third project is known as "The Last Mile". This project is the creation of the Community networks will be done in several phases and will be the construction of the access and distribution networks from the backbone to the Communities, Government, Hospital, Schools, Businesses and Residences. Priority will be given to our largest customers such as our schools, hospitals and government.

It is a regional and local effort that includes both Northampton and Accomack County and all the communities of the Eastern Shore of Virginia. The counties are providing project funding for the planning process of the Initiative.

The Eastern Shore of Broadband Authority Board is comprised of five (5) members from Accomack and Northampton Counties. The current Board members are:

Katie Nunez, Chair (chair@esvabroadband.net)
Mike Zodun, Vice Chair
Joseph Caffrey, Treasurer
Steven Miner
Dimitri Plionis

The project manager for the Broadband Initiative is Cheryl Tyson, MBA PMP. Cheryl can be contacted at ctyson@esvabroadband.net. General inquiries can be sent to info@esvabroadband.net.

The Accomack Northampton Planning District Commission is also providing project support for the initiative. Please visit there website for more detailed information about the Broadband Initiative including the Community Planning Study, Final Report Maps, a Fiber Speed Demonstration and Minutes at www.a-npdc.org/broadband.html.

Mailing Address: Post Office Box 449, Wachapreague, Virginia 23480
Physical Address: 36272 Lecato Road, Unit #21E, Belle Haven, Virginia 23306
Office Numbers: (757) 787-1390 / (757) 414-0304

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