RD22 - Annual Report on the Activity of the Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Board


    Executive Summary:
    Virginia Tobacco Commission

    During the six months ending 12/31/2004, the Virginia Tobacco Commission (the “Commission”) held two regular meetings, and seven sub-committee meetings, during which the following grants were awarded:

    Technology – The Commission made a single award of $9.0 million to Mid-Atlantic Broadband Cooperative, Inc. to fund the installation of a high-speed fiber network in Southside Virginia. This is the Commissions largest commitment to any one project and is one of a series of grants made for this effort.

    Agriculture – The Commission made 3 awards totaling $1.8 million to fund agricultural projects in Virginia. The largest project ($1.4 million) is an incentive program to improve beef cattle genetics and forage management for beef cattle producers in the tobacco-dependent region.

    Economic Development – The Commission made 14 awards totaling $1.0 million to fund economic development projects in Southwest Virginia.

    Special Projects – The Commission made 9 awards totaling $2.5 million to fund a variety of projects throughout the tobacco region. The largest ($1.3 million) is to fund the Virginia Institute for Performance Engineering and Research in Danville.

    In addition, the Commission issued two requests for proposals for interested parties to perform a feasibility study for the location of a major automotive assembly plant in Southside or Southwest Virginia. Responses to one request have been received and will be reviewed in early January 2005. The other request is still outstanding.

    Further, the Commission conducted a strategic planning session in October to improve upon its long-range plan. The session was conducted by the dean emeritus of the Darden School, and lead to marked improvement in the plan.