Governor McDonnell Announces “Choose the Commonwealth!”

(Friday) July 16, 2010

Encourages Virginia Businesses and Trade Groups to Incorporate Virginia Food and Beverage Products in Day-to-Day Business Operations

As part of his ongoing effort to promote Virginia products and help grow jobs in the Commonwealth, Governor Bob McDonnell announced today the “Choose the Commonwealth!” initiative. The Governor recently sent a letter to all Virginia business and industry leaders encouraging them to seek out Virginia products for their food and beverage needs in their day-to-day operations.  To help lead the effort, Governor McDonnell features Virginia wines and other locally grown and produced food and beverage products during events at the Executive Mansion ranging from family dinners to meetings with foreign dignitaries.  Agriculture is Virginia’s top industry, contributing $55 billion and more than 350,000 jobs to our economy each year.

The Governor specifically recognized the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) for their early commitment to “Choose the Commonwealth!” by using Virginia products and services at their events.  NVTC has instituted a Virginia-only wine policy for all its events and has issued a friendly challenge to all other Virginia trade and membership associations to do the same.

Speaking about “Choose the Commonwealth!”, Governor McDonnell noted, “Virginia is known far and wide for our high quality food and beverage products, and Virginia’s top-tier wines are gaining well-deserved recognition from wine connoisseurs around the globe.  Plus, the “Virginia Finest” and “Virginia Grown” programs help consumers and retailers know that when they’re buying Virginia agricultural products with those labels, they’re buying the very best the Commonwealth has to offer.  That’s why it is an honor for me to be able to showcase the abundance of Virginia’s agricultural production while promoting economic development and investment in Virginia both here and abroad.  During business events at the Executive Mansion, recruiting activities, and foreign trade missions, I am constantly incorporating Virginia’s best known products, including ham, seafood, peanuts, and wine.  We are “Choosing the Commonwealth!” just like so many great restaurants in the state which are increasingly seeking out locally sourced goods for their menus. Locally grown Virginia products taste better, and, just as importantly, they help create good paying jobs for Virginians statewide.”

The Governor specially commended NVTC for their use of Virginia products, “Northern Virginia Technology Council’s dedication to “Choose the Commonwealth!” by only serving Virginia wine at their events is a great example for other corporations, groups and organizations.  This is the kind of leadership and innovation that is needed across Virginia, and it will, in turn, lead to further economic development and new jobs in our Commonwealth.”

Todd Haymore, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry added, “We’re fortunate to have such abundant, and delicious, food and beverage products made right here in Virginia.  In order to continue to grow our leading industry, we all need to become spokespeople and share our high quality wine and specialty foods with friends and colleagues here and around the world.  If we all make a little effort to “Choose the Commonwealth!” we’ll see a big effect throughout the agriculture industry and our economic success overall.  I thank the Governor for his dedication and commitment to Virginia’s home-grown and produced products and look forward to continuing to support and promote Virginia food and beverages around the world.”

Secretary Haymore will accompany the Governor and First Lady to Europe next week to help promote more exports of Virginia wine and other specialty food products.

*Governor McDonnell’s letter to Virginia Businesses is below:

Dear Virginia Business Leader:

My top priority as Governor is to create jobs and economic opportunities in the Commonwealth.  Our Jobs and Opportunity Agenda is paying off as 110 new economic development deals creating 7,154 new jobs and generating approximately $1 billion in new capital investment have been closed since January.

Virginia consistently ranks as a top state for business, and, during the past six months, I have traveled across Virginia meeting with business leaders and citizens to discuss what can be done to make Virginia an even better state for business and investment.  Throughout my travels, many business leaders have asked, “What can I do as a corporate citizen to support Virginia’s economic recovery?”

While government institutions can provide an environment that is conducive to increasing jobs and investment, sustained economic growth is achieved through actions of the private sector.  That’s why I believe that one of the most productive actions a business can make in support of my Jobs and Opportunity Agenda is to patronize other local enterprises and utilize the goods and services provided by fellow Virginia businesses.

Personally, I have made it a priority to promote and feature Virginia wines and other locally grown and produced food and beverage products at the Executive Mansion.  Whether it is a family dinner or a reception for a foreign dignitary, I make it a point to serve Virginia food and beverages.  Agriculture is Virginia’s top industry, contributing $55 billion to our economy each year.  By making the deliberate decision to buy locally produced food and beverage items for your own corporate and personal needs, you can help further support job growth and economic activity in the Commonwealth.  In addition to being a corporate leader, you are also an opinion leader; your personal support for our high quality products will be reflected across the state in your social and business circles, leading to even more gains for our economy.

Virginia is known far and wide for our high quality food and beverage products, and Virginia’s top-tier wines are gaining well-deserved recognition from wine connoisseurs around the globe.  Plus, the “Virginia Finest” and “Virginia Grown” programs help consumers and retailers know that when they’re buying Virginia agricultural products with those labels, they’re buying the very best the state has to offer.  That’s why it is an honor for me to be able to showcase the abundance of Virginia’s agricultural production while promoting economic development and investment in Virginia both here and abroad.  During business events at the Executive Mansion, recruiting activities, and foreign trade missions, I am constantly incorporating Virginia’s best known products, including ham, seafood, peanuts, and wine.

As a business leader in the Commonwealth, I encourage you to look for opportunities to incorporate Virginia food and beverage products into your day-to-day business operations and marketing activities, thereby supporting jobs and economic growth that will benefit all Virginians.  Plus, you’ll be serving some of the most wholesome and best tasting products in the world.

In the coming months, I’ll be finding ways to recognize those businesses and trade associations that make public commitments to buy Virginia grown and produced food and beverage products.  So, please let me and Todd know if you and your organization make that commitment.  If you have any questions about how best to procure Virginia food and beverages for your next business event or for personal use, please contact my Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore. Todd can be reached at choosevafoodbev@governor.virginia.gov or (804) 692-2511.

Sincerely,