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1995 SESSION

LD8107152
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 451
AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE
(Proposed by the House Committee on Rules
on January 27, 1995)
(Patron Prior to Substitute--Delegate Clement)
Continuing the A. L. Philpott Southside Economic Development Commission.

WHEREAS, the General Assembly, pursuant to House Joint Resolution No. 106 (1990), established a commission to propose recommendations to improve and enhance the economic development of Southside Virginia (the "A. L. Philpott Southside Economic Development Commission" or the "Commission") and subsequently authorized the Commission to continue its examination of economic, educational, financial, infrastructural, and industrial challenges facing the region pursuant to House Joint Resolution No. 300 (1991), House Joint Resolution No. 71 (1992), House Joint Resolution No. 412 (1993), and House Joint Resolution No. 353 (1994); and

WHEREAS, over the past five years, the Commission's intense study has yielded numerous recommendations for the revitalization of the Southside region, such as the establishment of the Southside Business and Education Commission, the Southside Virginia Marketing Council, and the Southside Virginia Development Authority, and the support of the new Governor's School for Global Economics and Technology in Southside Virginia and the A.L. Philpott Manufacturing Research Center at Patrick Henry Community College; and

WHEREAS, the 1994 Appropriation Act allocated $675,000 to the Philpott Commission for grants for economic development projects in the 20-county, five-city region of Southside Virginia; and

WHEREAS, these grants are contingent upon matching local or private funds, and will support those projects meeting specific criteria established by the Commission, including, among other things, local approval; evidence of specific economic development purpose, such as job creation or retention; multijurisdictional focus; and coordination with local strategic development plans; and

WHEREAS, the Commission has alerted Southside leaders and economic development representatives regarding this grant allocation initiative, and has established a January 5, 1995, deadline for the receipt of grant applications from eligible Southside localities; and

WHEREAS, recognizing that adequate infrastructure is essential to the development of Southside Virginia as an active participant in the Commonwealth's economic prosperity, the Commission has also examined the transportation needs of the region over the course of its five-year study; and

WHEREAS, the development and ultimate completion of U.S. Route 58 are critical to the economic future of Southside Virginia, as the highway would provide an east-west corridor to facilitate shipping and receipt of goods by Southside businesses, enhance travel within and through Southside, and improve the overall quality of life in the region; and

WHEREAS, the continued guidance of the Philpott Commission is necessary to ensure the successful administration of its grants initiative, to monitor the progress of the Route 58 Corridor Development Program, and to take such other action as may be appropriate; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the A. L. Philpott Southside Economic Development Commission be continued for one additional year, to implement its grants initiative; to review and monitor the progress of the Route 58 Corridor Development Program; and to consider such other issues as may be appropriate. The membership of the Commission shall continue as constituted in 1994, with the addition of one member of the House of Delegates, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates. Any vacancies shall be filled by the Governor, the Speaker of the House, and the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections, as appropriate.

The legislative members of the Commission shall be compensated as specified in § 14.1-18 of the Code of Virginia, and all members of the Commission shall be reimbursed for their actual expenses incurred in the performance of the work of the Commission. The Commission may accept and expend gifts, grants, or donations from public or private sources that will enable it to meet its objectives.

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $7,950.

The Division of Legislative Services shall provide staff support for the study. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Commission, upon request.

The Commission shall submit any additional findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1996 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for processing legislative documents.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may withhold expenditures or delay the period for the conduct of the study.