Title
Resolution Endorsing Go Virginia Unmanned Vehicle Proposal and Participation
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
The State is currently soliciting applications for the Go Virginia grant program. The Peninsula Economic Development Directors and City/County Managers worked together to develop a proposal that is believed to meet all the criteria and which will help to foster high wage job retention/expansion. The Hampton Roads Planning District Commission has unanimously supported the project.
As part of the Go Virginia application package, resolutions from potential participating localities are required. Hampton staff is very supportive of the Unmanned Vehicle Proposal and recommends Council adoption of the resolution.
Recommendation:
Rec
Adopt Resolution
Body
WHEREAS, the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission has unanimously endorsed the proposed Unmanned Systems Testing and Demonstration Center proposal as a regional economic development initiative worthy of support through the Go Virginia project evaluation process;
WHEREAS, the proposed project is envisioned to be incrementally developed on approximately 432 acres of surplus Commonwealth of Virginia property located in York County accessible to all Hampton Roads businesses involved in the design and development of unmanned systems technology;
WHEREAS, unmanned systems and aerospace development is identified as a high growth, high wage economic cluster within Southeast Virginia;
WHEREAS, the proposal envisions a shared investment by multiple regional localities and a proportional share of project revenues; and
WHEREAS, a regional management and governance structure is anticipated that transparently allows the participation of all willing Hampton Roads local government partners based on parameters to be mutually established;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hampton does hereby pledge to participate in the proposed venture to include a proportional fina...
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