Bus Rapid Transit
Henrico and Richmond have partnered with the GRTC Transit System, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, the Virginia Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Transportation to plan and implement a bus rapid transit system along the Broad and Main streets corridors. The Pulse system will be the area’s first high-capacity rapid transit system and will provide a modern transportation system with reduced travel times, expanded service and greater reliability of transit operations from Rocketts Landing to Willow Lawn.
Capital Region Workforce Partnership (Chief Elected Official and alternate from each member jurisdiction)
The Partnership of local elected officials is a regional body that focuses on workforce development in Charles City, Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent, Powhatan and Richmond. The Partnership was created by and is funded under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and appoints the members of the business-led Workforce Development Board. The board also includes representation from economic development, education, labor and community organizations and state agencies. Collectively, the Consortium and Board share oversight responsibility for delivering services developing policies, ensuring performance outcomes are met and supporting business and economic development needs.
Enterprise Zone Program
Henrico and Richmond share an Enterprise Zone. Enterprise Zones provide state and local grants and incentives to encourage business improvements and investment. Any amendments to the zone require both jurisdictions to approve the change.
Greater Richmond Convention Center
The center is a cooperative effort between Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico and Richmond. The center is owned by the Greater Richmond Convention Center Authority, which is composed of the jurisdictions and the Retail Merchants Association of Greater Richmond. The 700,000-square-foot facility in downtown Richmond includes exhibit space, meeting rooms and a grand ballroom. Henrico is the largest contributing jurisdiction to the center through its collection of lodging taxes that are used to pay off the $148.7 million in revenue bonds issued to build the facility.
Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc. (GRP)
In cooperation with the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce and private businesses, Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico and Richmond created GRP. As a regional economic development organization, GRP markets the greater Richmond region as a preferred business location. GRP, in operation since 1978, works with local economic development organizations on business retention, workforce development and small business formation. A member of the Henrico County Board of Supervisors serves on the GRP Board of Directors and the county manager serves as an alternate board member.
GRTC Transit System
GRTC Transit System, the public transportation provider for the area, is jointly owned by Chesterfield and Richmond. Representatives from those jurisdictions serve on the Board of Directors. Henrico has contractual arrangements with GRTC to support public transportation in the area.
James River Certified Development Corporation (JRCDC)
JRCDC is a private, nonprofit corporation organized under the U.S. Small Business Administration 504 Loan Program. JRCDC serves existing and prospective small businesses in Charles City, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent, Powhatan and Richmond. In participation with private lenders, the 504 Loan Program provides long-term, fixed-asset financing to small businesses. This financing stimulates economic growth and expansion by retaining or creating jobs, increasing local tax bases and expanding business ownership opportunities within the designated service areas.
Regional Building Official Meetings
Staffs from multiple localities meet bimonthly at the Region 6 Virginia Building and Code Officials Association meeting for education, discussion of mutual code enforcement issues and statewide code enforcement issues.
RESOURCE Workforce Centers
RESOURCE Workforce Centers offer workforce services to employers and job seekers. Centers in eastern Henrico, downtown Richmond and northern Chesterfield offer the following resources and services: computers, fax and phone service, job search and resume assistance and targeted forms of employment and training assistance to those enrolled in programs. Also available are services of other publicly-funded agencies, including adult education, community colleges, the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, Senior Connections and the Virginia Employment Commission.
Richmond International Airport (RIC)
Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico and Richmond make up the Capital Region Airport Commission, which operates RIC.
Richmond Marine Terminal (RMT) Task Force
The RMT Task Force includes representatives of the business community, local governments of Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico and Richmond, the Richmond Regional Transportation Planning Organization, the Richmond Regional Planning District Commission, the Virginia Port Authority and the Richmond Marine Terminal. The RMT Task Force works to maximize economic development opportunities in the region for port-related activities and to implement a strategic leadership group to influence support for the RMT’s 20-year vision for success.
Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority (RMTA)
Representatives from Chesterfield, Henrico and Richmond serve as the board of directors for RMTA, which operates transportation facilities including the Powhite Parkway, Downtown Expressway and Boulevard Bridge.
Richmond Region Tourism (RRT)
RRT is a cooperative effort between Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent and Richmond, ChamberRVA and the Retail Merchants Association of Greater Richmond to promote tourism and travel in the metro Richmond area. Henrico contributes a portion of the lodging taxes collected from Henrico-based hotels to fund the RRT. Henrico’s tourism staff works cooperatively with RRT to ensure promotion of Henrico as a premier destination for sports, heritage and leisure travel. Tourism staff serves as Henrico’s liaison and non-voting member of the RRT Board of Directors.
Richmond Regional Planning District Commission (RRPDC)
The RRPDC is a regional planning agency with emphasis in the areas of transportation, local technical assistance and information services, including demographic, economic and geographic information systems. The commission is comprised of elected officials and residents from Ashland, Charles City, Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent, Powhatan and Richmond who address mutual problems and develop solutions to benefit intergovernmental cooperation.
Ridefinders
A division of GRTC Transit System, Ridefinders provides carpool, vanpool and rideshare facilitator services to the public and private sectors in Chesterfield, Henrico and Richmond.
Virginia Biotechnology Research Park (VA Bio+Tech Park)
Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University provided startup funding and legislative support for the establishment and operation of this economic development effort. The VA Bio+Tech Park has evolved into a dynamic scientific community in central Virginia providing significant employment opportunities in Richmond. The Henrico county manager serves on the Virginia Biotechnology Research Board.
Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation – DC2RVA
Ashland, Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, Richmond and the Richmond Area Metropolitan Planning Organization are part of a group working with the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation to improve intercity passenger rail service in the north-south corridor between Washington and Richmond. The project aims to increase capacity to deliver higher-speed passenger rail and accommodate growth of freight rail service in an efficient and reliable multimodal rail corridor. The proposed improvements include the construction of additional tracks and track crossovers, improvements to passenger rail stations and station areas, and roadway crossing safety improvements.
