Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) delivered remarks at a Virginia Has Jobs event in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
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NewsTranscript
00:00First off, let me introduce myself. I'm Joe Caleri, I'm the President of Synventions. I'm also the Chairman of the Military Affairs Council for the local region.
00:13I appreciate everybody coming here today. This is Synventions' corporate inter-black and worldwide headquarters here in Williamsburg.
00:21Before I get started, I want to invite Governor Duncan to the stage.
00:26Applause
00:53First off, I want to say thank you to everyone who helped make this event happen.
00:57Specifically, thank you to Governor Duncan and Senator Durant for this incredible opportunity to host this event here today.
01:04It's an incredible honor for Synventions to be able to do this, and I appreciate that.
01:08Thank you to all the Commonwealth partners here who will be speaking today, and more importantly, thank you to everyone who is here.
01:16It's great for you to be able to hear the Governor's message on this event.
01:19You know, we've all struggled with looking for jobs, right? Finding a job, keeping a job, transitioning to a job.
01:26And so, I think we can all appreciate the Governor's vision here on helping job seekers find work in our great state.
01:35So many people out looking for jobs. The state has so many opportunities, not just within the State Department, but within the employers here in the great state of Virginia as well.
01:44You know, Virginia was rated the top state in the country, right?
01:48So, Synventions has been voted the best place to work in Virginia.
01:52So, there's some kind of weird map I can work out that would say we're probably the best company in the country.
01:59Applause
02:10But people who know me know I don't know that.
02:13It's the associate property of a company in Virginia.
02:16Tara's son, Teddy, is here today. He's a math guru, and I probably would have screwed that up already.
02:24But to be honest with you, from our humble beginning 25 years ago as a company, founded by three visionaries,
02:30so very well represented here today, we are a 400-person company today.
02:36And we are very innovative in the work that we do.
02:40And that's just not for the technical work that we do, that's how we govern the company.
02:45Five years ago, I'm proud to say we became a 100% employee of our enterprise.
02:50We're 100% ESOP, which is a big deal for our employee numbers.
02:53But we work on taking care of each other. It's a very important part of our culture.
02:57It's very important that we take care of each other.
02:59And then we work together to take care of the work that we do for our customers, which is very important work.
03:04And then through all those things, use the gifts and talents of the company to give back to the community
03:09and be able to do things like this.
03:10It's an honor, again, to be able to do this.
03:13The 25 years that we've worked, we've done largely in support of the warfighter.
03:18And it's an honor for me to be able to do that.
03:21Subventions on his family was one-third veteran, as one of the three was a veteran.
03:25Today we're still close to 25% veteran.
03:28I'm a veteran as well.
03:30And it's just a great thing for us to have 25% representation in this company with the technical work that we do
03:36and the type of things that the veterans can bring to the workforce.
03:40Karen Mills is passionate about the veterans.
03:43And I'm just proud to have that as part of our statistic.
03:46I love working in Virginia.
03:47I love especially working for this company.
03:50I'm asked very often, what's our secret sauce?
03:54You guys win contracts.
03:55You go to the best place to work in Virginia.
03:58You do so much in the community.
04:00And I'll be honest with you, it's the type of people that we have in our company.
04:05It's the – and there's many of them here today – the type of professionals that give a little bit more,
04:10that come to work ready to work and excited to do good things.
04:13And it's just an honor to be part of this company and to be able to do those things.
04:17And then when often I get a compliment about what's – about the company,
04:22about how great we're doing in the community, the type of technical work we're doing,
04:25I'm also often quick with, well, we're hiring.
04:29And it also comes when someone's complaining about the work that they're currently doing with one of our competitors.
04:34I say we're hiring.
04:35But that is very true.
04:37Today we have 29 open requisitions, high-tech type work.
04:41I like to say we've been helping people, saving people off of I-95.
04:45We have very high-tech work here in Greensburg.
04:47A lot of system engineering, software engineering, modeling, simulation, cybersecurity,
04:51and all the great work that comes along with that.
04:55But it's clear that our NSWC Dog and Customer and Greenport-based Monaco,
05:00who heavily influence the type of work that we do here, are doing very important things for our area.
05:05And, again, it's an honor for us to be able to support those things.
05:08So we are honored to host this event today and look forward to hearing the people
05:14and how people can discover employment opportunities in our current state.
05:18You guys are tired of hearing me speak, so without further ado, ladies and gentlemen,
05:22your 74th governor of Commonwealth, Governor Glenn Young.
05:25Applause.
05:36Well, good afternoon, everybody.
05:38What a great day to be a Virginian.
05:41And I appreciate everyone coming together to talk about the opportunities,
05:46the robust and plentiful opportunities that Virginia is presenting to all Virginians today,
05:53but a lot of people from around the country who have made a big decision
05:57that they want to come to Virginia and be part of our collective future.
06:02I want to thank Sid Benchins for hosting today.
06:05What an awesome place, and the flags are overwhelming.
06:09I don't see Rice University up there.
06:13We're hiring.
06:15Applause.
06:21I was a mechanical engineer at one point, so maybe I can hang with you.
06:25But I just want to thank everyone for hosting today and joining us as we talk about one simple truth.
06:32Virginia has jobs.
06:36Lots of jobs.
06:37Applause.
06:41What we've seen over the last three years is a Commonwealth of Virginia that has absolutely reawoken
06:49as the best place in America to do business, stated by CNBC last summer,
06:54but on top of that, the best place to live, to raise a family, and to work.
07:01And that is reflected by the fact that company after company after company has highlighted Virginia
07:07as the place that they either want to expand if they're here, or move here if they're not.
07:13And that has translated into over $100 billion of investment committed to plants, to expansions,
07:25to R&D centers, to new headquarters, and very importantly, to new power supplies across all of Virginia.
07:35$100 billion.
07:38And what comes with that is another 70,000 jobs in the future.
07:4470,000 jobs for these great companies that are growing.
07:48And I try to tell everyone that the best career decision you can ever make is go work for a company that's growing.
07:54The elevator's going up. Get on it and go up with it.
07:58And I'm telling you, you're at Syventra, you can go up the elevator.
08:01You have room in your founders group.
08:03I have some people here ready to join you.
08:05But you're 100% employee-owned.
08:08And how cool is that?
08:10These are founders who understand what it means to be part of a team.
08:16And that's what it means to be part of the Virginia opportunity.
08:20My goal is to be part of the team that is making it happen here in the commonwealth.
08:24It's a very simple equation, folks.
08:27That when you have record investment from companies, you have record job growth.
08:32We've had over 260,000 more people working today than just three years ago.
08:39260,000.
08:42Then you have record receipts into the states.
08:45Because you have more people working than ever in the history of the commonwealth.
08:49And then we run surplus after surplus after surplus.
08:53And we are now heading into our fourth year of surplus in the four years that I've been here.
08:59Nearly $10 billion of surpluses that have been generated while our administration's been here.
09:06And what we've been able to do with that is we've been able to return a substantial amount of money in tax relief
09:12to our owners, the people of Virginia.
09:16$8 billion by the time we're done.
09:19And by the way, there's another billion dollars in the budget that we're working on with the General Assembly.
09:24And I have to say, that piece of the budget I hope we're not arguing over.
09:28I submitted a billion dollars of tax relief.
09:31They submitted back a billion dollars of tax relief.
09:34I think we're going to agree on that one.
09:36But $9 billion of tax relief over a four-year period for Virginians.
09:41We've also been able to have record investment in education.
09:46And I will tell you, the education revised budget amendments will have Virginia investing 50% more in education
09:55than we did just five years ago.
09:58Fifty. Now, that's a big number, 50% more.
10:01But when you translate it into dollars, it's $7 billion over the biennium budget more into K-12 education.
10:10We've had record investment in law enforcement, and you've been seeing the results of the work that's been going on.
10:16We've had record investment to keep our rivers and streams, they clean.
10:20And my friends, we have seen all of that translate into a Virginia that has been soaring.
10:27As a result, Virginia has jobs, lots of them.
10:32And Virginia has over 250,000 jobs that are currently available to be filled by that next employee that gets to hear the second most powerful words in the English language.
10:47Now, the first most powerful three words in the English language are I love you.
10:53Luckily, my wife still says that to me.
10:56But the second most powerful three words in the English language are you are hired.
11:03What powerful words. They express so much.
11:08I value you, and therefore want you to be part of our team.
11:13You will have a future, and therefore you don't hire a person, oftentimes you hire a family.
11:20And then finally, we are going to succeed together.
11:25Powerful words about respecting another Virginia.
11:31And those words are being uttered over and over and over again.
11:35Now, with that opportunity, we need to make sure those jobs are well presented to people all over the Commonwealth.
11:44And candidly, all over the country.
11:46Because we had a phenomenon happen in 2023 for the first time in over a decade.
11:52We had more people move to Virginia than move away to the other 49 states.
11:58First time in a decade.
12:00And we shot up ahead of Tennessee.
12:02Top ten.
12:03Top ten places for people to come, live, work, and raise a family.
12:08And they want to come because it's a spectacular place to live.
12:11It's a spectacular place to raise your family.
12:14But it's a spectacular place to find a job.
12:17And that is really exciting.
12:20But also, we know that with the necessary actions that are going on in Washington today, and listen, the reality is tough.
12:31We have a federal government that has now $37.5 trillion of debt.
12:38And adding $2 trillion a year to that number.
12:43And that is an existential moment for our nation.
12:46It can't continue.
12:48We have to restore fiscal responsibility back to Washington.
12:54And the reality is, that process is by definition disruptive.
13:00President Trump has said it himself.
13:03This is going to be hard.
13:05And yet, I firmly believe that we have a moment, as we have a federal workforce, that I know is going through real disruption.
13:16Real job loss, that we can support.
13:20I know a little bit about this issue.
13:23When I was growing up, my father lost his job twice.
13:27It's tough on families.
13:30The first time he lost his job, we were living in Richmond.
13:32And so we had to move.
13:35Our family started all over again.
13:37And we moved to Virginia Beach, which is a wonderful place to have to move to.
13:41But we had to start all over again.
13:44And then, just three years later, he lost his job again.
13:48The company he worked for was sold.
13:50And they laid off everybody.
13:52And we went through it again.
13:54And so I have an extraordinary amount of empathy for the anxiety, fear, and yes, the real financial challenges that are in front of a lot of Virginians.
14:07Now, to date, we haven't seen a lot of Virginians yet file for unemployment.
14:12And with a federal workforce of less than 1,000, first-time claims.
14:16But I expect that there will be more.
14:19Many more.
14:21And so how do we meet these people who need help?
14:24We meet them with opportunity.
14:27And that's why Virginia has jobs.com so important.
14:31It's so much more than a website.
14:34At Virginiahasjobs.com, you can find three incredibly important resources.
14:42Number one, resources that if someone needs help filing for unemployment benefits, someone needs help understanding how to make sure they keep their health care coverage, it's all there.
14:56Our Virginia Unemployment Trust Fund is well funded today.
15:02It has a billion and a half dollars in it.
15:05And, of course, the federal government replenishes it dollar for dollar for any benefits that are paid to federal workers that are filing for unemployment.
15:13The second thing on this website, of course, are 250,000-plus jobs.
15:18All over.
15:20Great jobs.
15:21Half of those jobs require, just a little bit under half of those jobs, require a college degree or something greater than a baccalaureate degree.
15:32The other half of the jobs require real skills.
15:35They're good-paying jobs.
15:37There's real opportunities.
15:39And I even every now and then will meet someone who says I need some help, and I will go to the website myself and help look for opportunities for Virginians.
15:48These opportunities are all over the state.
15:51In the Northern Virginia area, there's about 110,000 of these jobs that stretch all the way from Northern Virginia down here, of course, into Fredericksburg.
15:59And so there are robust opportunities at VirginiaHasJobs.com.
16:05The third thing you find on the website, of course, are all of the support infrastructure to make sure that there is a confidence journey to those jobs.
16:15Training at our community colleges for credentials if you need to upskill.
16:20College activities.
16:22All kinds of certificate programs.
16:25And, of course, all kinds of both state and local resources to help you navigate this.
16:34You can find a friend, a coach.
16:37You can actually find people to help you write your resume if you haven't written it in a long time.
16:43To help you prepare for interviews.
16:45To make sure that you are best prepared or have an academic opportunity to better prepare to take one of these great jobs.
16:54It doesn't mean that the journey won't be filled with challenges and, again, lots of trepidation.
17:02But it does mean that there is a commonwealth of Virginia here to help.
17:08A commonwealth of Virginia that is rich with opportunity.
17:12And a commonwealth of Virginia that wants, wants Virginians who need to find a new career to, in fact, find it.
17:22Now I have to say that we are also seeing lots of people from around the country look at these jobs as well.
17:28We've had two virtual job fairs today.
17:31And both of these job fairs have been regional in nature.
17:36We did one in Northern Virginia and we did one down in Panther Roads.
17:39Through these two regional job fairs, there were 14,000 jobs posted in the virtual job fair from 400 different employers.
17:52And we've had 135,000 unique visitors or participants in these job fairs.
18:00And 14,000 and a little bit more have already applied for these jobs.
18:06This works. This works. Connecting people with opportunity.
18:12And that is our collective blessing right now, given the strength of the commonwealth of Virginia.
18:20And so with that, I just want everyone to understand that we are with you.
18:27The strength of the commonwealth allows us to be dynamic at a time where we have economic opportunity for all Virginians.
18:40We have low unemployment and we have jobs.
18:44And so this is our opportunity.
18:47I am surrounded here by leaders who have jobs.
18:53They have jobs. They have support to help people find those jobs.
18:58And I would be remiss if I didn't thank them.
19:01So get ready. It's a good list.
19:03I first want to introduce a couple of my colleagues that are here.
19:09And, of course, our Secretary of Labor, Brian Slater, has been deeply engaged in helping launch Virginia Has Jobs.
19:17And our Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Juan Pablo Segura, who is new in the job this week.
19:23His predecessor, Secretary Karen Merrick, who is a rock star, decided this was a good chance for her to focus on some other things.
19:38She has dedicated so much time and attention, and she built an amazing team.
19:43And so Juan Pablo is able to step right in, and we're not going to miss a beat.
19:47Juan Pablo, thank you for accepting the invitation to serve.
19:50But around us are great leaders.
19:53And so here we go.
19:54These are companies that have jobs, that are ready to hire, and it is a long list, and they're all around us.
20:02So Acquia Realty, CTI Real Estate, Cushman & Wakefield, Cybervites Foundation, Dominion Energy, Extreme Weather Roofing, First Line Tech, GAR Contractors, Jormana Community College.
20:16And I went to the Jormana Community College website, and there are a lot of jobs there.
20:20And, in fact, there was a particular person who was reported in the newspaper who had some interesting background, and that particular person should go to the Jormana College website.
20:30There's a lot of jobs there.
20:31Oregon.
20:33The Oregon construction folks do an amazing amount of work all over the states.
20:37Kalahari Resorts, Kitty Hawk Technologies, Life Care Medical Transports, Mary Washington Healthcare, Matern Staffing.
20:45We need more of you in Matern Staffing.
20:47Please go there.
20:48Modern Door and Equipment Sales.
20:50The Ripien Investments, Shore United Banking, Stack Infrastructure, SBN International Corporation.
20:59Toto's Narrowly Market, where I've been many times.
21:02United Way, where Abhanic is hiring.
21:04United University of Mary Washington, and Virginia Credit Union, just to name a few.
21:10This is Virginia's employment future.
21:14And that's why we're here celebrating it.
21:17And so with that, I would be very pleased, first and foremost, to thank all of you for believing in Virginia.
21:26Virginia's doing great, and it's at a great time for us to have that strength translate into opportunity.
21:34Opportunity for all of those that want to call Virginia home.
21:38And with that, I would be remiss if I didn't first thank one of the other members of our General Assembly here, Delegate Paul Milvay.
21:47Paul, thank you for being here.
21:50I would like to invite your great State Senator, Tara Durant, to share a few words with you.
21:59God bless you.
22:07Good afternoon.
22:08Good afternoon.
22:09Thank you all so much for coming.
22:11And I also want to thank the Governor for your leadership in so many ways, and to Jill.
22:19Thank you so much.
22:20When I got a call from Juan Pablo that said, we'd like to host an event.
22:24You have a great spot.
22:25I didn't hesitate.
22:26I said, I've got a perfect spot.
22:28There's so many wonderful businesses and locations that we are blessed with in this area.
22:33But I just got the phone.
22:35We had chatted, and I remembered this incredible venue, and I thought, this is perfect.
22:40So, yeah.
22:41So, really, it's an honor to celebrate this tremendous progress that we are making in workforce development and economic growth.
22:50In the four years that I have been in the General Assembly, this has been at the top of the conversation.
22:57I have the honor to host a couple of task forces in different areas, and this has dominated the conversation.
23:04So, I thought I would take a little bit of time today just to tell you that, from my standpoint, from my viewpoint,
23:09how we have leaned in, especially from the General Assembly perspective, and how we're trying to support workforce development
23:16so that we do make Virginia the best place that you want to settle down with your families and have opportunities here
23:24and that businesses want to come and settle here.
23:26Over the past four years, I have been deeply committed to strengthening Virginia's workforce,
23:32with a particular focus on health care, education, and skilled trades.
23:37These industries, they really are the proverbial backbone of our economy, and by investing in them, we are not just filling jobs.
23:46We are creating sustainable career pathways that support families and drive our long-term economic prosperity.
23:53Through targeted legislation, we've taken some significant steps to support these industries,
23:59ensuring workers are equipped with the skills needed for this changing economy,
24:03and I think a lot of you here in this room will understand that, particularly in this region,
24:09in the Stafford-Pettysburg-Spotsmania region, we are growing, and it is growing fast, and it's changing.
24:15Legislation alone isn't enough.
24:18True success comes from collaboration.
24:22Businesses, educators, and the community leaders working together to develop lasting solutions tailored to our region's needs.
24:30One example of this collaborative approach is a bill that I championed last year, which took me a couple years to work on,
24:37and it was thankfully signed into law, dedicated to two entry-level positions in the behavioral health field,
24:46allowing students to earn while they learn, and access stackable credentials, which I think is incredibly important,
24:52and enter into the workforce sooner.
24:55Filling a critical need in our health care system, in addition, we've secured additional funding for current technical CTE programs
25:02in our public schools, ensuring students gain hands-on learning and real-world experience.
25:08Recently, I had the privilege to sit down with members of our business community, educators, and veterans
25:13to assess the unique workforce needs of our region, and one thing became clear.
25:18Collaboration truly is key.
25:20By bringing together leaders from different sectors, we can build a stronger, more resilient workforce.
25:27One particularly exciting initiative I'd like to share that has emerged from these discussions is the vision
25:32for a regional career and technical education program spanning multiple school districts,
25:38and it's one that I am particularly excited about.
25:40By partnering with local businesses, and this is something they have been shouting to the rooftops,
25:45that this is what they want and need, we can maximize our resources and provide students with the practical skills
25:52they need to enter high-demand fields like health care, technology, the skilled trades.
25:59This program not only helps students succeed, but it will also ensure that businesses have access to a highly-skilled workforce.
26:07At the same time, we recognize that workforce development must go hand-in-hand with business growth.
26:12That's why Amber Yumkin has led the charge in Virginia's Business Ready Sites Program,
26:18ensuring that we have an infrastructure and industrial sites in place to attract new employers
26:24and expand opportunities across the Commonwealth.
26:27By preparing shovel-ready locations, we are making Virginia even more competitive,
26:33allowing businesses to move quickly, set up operations, and create high-quality jobs right here.
26:39So it's no surprise that Virginia has been ranked as a top state for business in the nation.
26:44Our highly-skilled workforce, strategic investments, and business-friendly policies
26:50have made the Commonwealth a national leader in economic growth and innovation.
26:55But to maintain this competitive edge, we must continue to invest in workforce development
27:01to ensure readiness, combining with our workforce initiatives, and laying that foundation for sustaining economic growth.
27:08When businesses know they can find both the talent and the infrastructure they need to succeed, they choose Virginia.
27:15And when Virginians have access to good jobs in high-demand industries, that's when our communities thrive,
27:21and that's when they decide to make Virginia their home.
27:24And as we move forward, I encourage all Virginians—business leaders, educators, workers, community members, all of you—
27:31to stay engaged in these initiatives.
27:34We all have a role to play in shaping the future of our workforce and our economy.
27:39And together, we are building a Virginia that leads the way in innovation, opportunity, and prosperity.
27:44So now it's my pleasure to introduce a true force multiplier, someone who is a problem-solver and now a really good friend.
27:53Our amazing Susan Spears with the Pettisburg Regional Chamber.
28:07All right, how's everybody?
28:09Very well, thank you.
28:10We have Chamber of Commerce weather today.
28:13It was my second word.
28:15Oh, thank you. Thank you very much.
28:17I came back to the room. I can't say thank her.
28:19All right, well, we'll let you.
28:23All right, I am delighted to be here today.
28:25Good afternoon.
28:27Honored to be here to discuss an important new initiative that will help drive economic growth and strengthen our workforce.
28:35I'd like to begin by thanking Governor Glenn Youngden.
28:39Thank you for your leadership, and thank you for being here with us today to share information about the Virginia Has Jobs program.
28:47The Chamber of Commerce is truly excited about how this initiative can be a game changer for our businesses and for our workforce.
28:56The Fredericksburg region is home to three military installations, and it is a short distance from thousands of federal jobs.
29:04It has one of the highest concentrations of veterans within the Commonwealth.
29:09Because of our physical proximity to tremendous federal opportunities, our region is strong.
29:16But actions like the base realignment and closure or sequestration can cause our resiliency to be challenged.
29:25Time and again, we, the business community of the Fredericksburg region, hand in hand with the businesses throughout our great Commonwealth, have defeated adversity.
29:38This is because we prepare for challenges.
29:42We seek solutions, and we emerge brighter and more determined than before.
29:49This is one of those times.
29:52And the Virginia Has Jobs program is here to help.
29:56It represents more than just an initiative.
29:59It sends a powerful message of hope to those facing uncertainty in their careers.
30:05With over 250,000 jobs available across the Commonwealth and thousands right here in this region,
30:12the Virginia Has Jobs program has created a vibrant bridge for workers to transition into roles where their skills can truly shine.
30:21The program's user-friendly platform effectively connects job seekers with employment opportunities, telling a compelling story.
30:30Oh, I thought it was claps, but yeah, we dropped some.
30:39All right, again, that's it.
30:41The program's user-friendly platform effectively connects job seekers with employment opportunities,
30:48telling a compelling story that Virginia is not only open for business, but it stands as the best state for business in our nation.
30:58You can applaud that.
31:06The Virginia Has Jobs website boldly explains right on its front homepage,
31:11land your dream job in Virginia, with links to the regions that are outlined for the initiative.
31:18Our regional link, as the governor mentioned, it takes job seekers directly to jobs that are available in the public and private sector
31:27right here in this region and beyond if you want to look at the other links.
31:31It also details the upcoming, on April 8th, the hiring event for our district.
31:37So check that out or send people there, and there is so much more there.
31:41The site is right on time for today's workforce.
31:45Easy to find, easy to navigate, and chock full of timely opportunities for job seekers.
31:52As we look forward to the future, I envision the Fredericksburg region continuing to flourish as a dynamic hub where talent meets opportunity.
32:01On behalf of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, I extend our sincere gratitude to you, Governor Duncan, for your vision and your leadership.
32:12Together, we are building a future where businesses prosper, workers thrive, and we are known for being open for business.
32:28Now I'd like to introduce our next speaker, Matt Wallace, VP of the Virginia Division of Modern Door and Equipment Sales.
32:42She makes me want to check out the website for a new job.
32:46I already have plenty of videos.
32:48My name is Matthew Wallace, and I am the Vice President of Modern Door.
32:52I am also a resident of Warsaw, Virginia, so Virginia is home for me.
32:58Modern Door is one of the largest optical partition suppliers in the country.
33:02And over the last 10 years, we've also grown into a leading glass and glazing company here in Virginia.
33:09In November of 2021, following Governor Glenn Youngkin's election, our management team recognized that Virginia was shifting towards a pro-business, pro-growth environment.
33:18We got very excited about this.
33:20It was an exciting time for our state.
33:22We knew that Modern Door wanted to take part in the transformation happening here in Virginia.
33:28We firmly believe that small business is the backbone that drives the American economy, and under Governor Youngkin's leadership, Virginia has become a strong supporter of small businesses.
33:38Additionally, we have been fortunate to find an outstanding workforce here in Virginia, allowing us to hire talented team members who have contributed to our continued success.
33:47After Governor Youngkin took office, our management team made the strategic decision to invest heavily in our Virginia division and strengthen our presence in the Ashland, Virginia area.
33:57Since 2022, we have expanded our workforce.
34:00We have invested in automated manufacturing equipment to enhance efficiency.
34:06And we just completed a major expansion to our fabrication facility.
34:11Thanks to Governor Youngkin's hard work and pro-business policies, more and more businesses are moving to Virginia, creating tremendous opportunities, especially for those in construction and manufacturing.
34:22Over the past three years, Modern Door has been awarded hundreds of contracts across Virginia.
34:28Some of our most notable projects include the Caesars Casino Project in Davidville, Cal-A-Rite right here in Fredericksburg, Rivers Casino in Portsmouth, Virginia Manufacturing Association in Richmond, and the Flow Pharmaceutical Buildings in Petersburg.
34:43Virginia is now ranked number one in the nation for business, and Modern Door is growing, and we are hiring.
34:49We know that our future success lies in Virginia, and we have several positions available at our Ashland office.
34:55In closing, I would like to thank Governor Youngkin for his continued support and commitment to small businesses here in Virginia.
35:01We look forward to the many opportunities Virginians will have, not only in the prosperity of our great state, but in the respect and growth of small businesses across Virginia.
35:10As an employer, an employee, and a resident of Virginia, it is extremely important to me and my family that Virginia continues to grow and support small businesses.
35:20I would now like to introduce Nick Miner of Stack Infrastructure.
35:33Thank you, Matt.
35:34Has anybody here heard about a data center in this room?
35:41So good afternoon, everyone. My name is Nick Miner. I'm a proud resident of Stafford County, and I direct public affairs for Stack Infrastructure.
35:48Stack is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, and operates over 24 data centers across 23 markets with a combined capacity of 2.5 gigawatts, either built or under development.
35:58One of our most exciting recent projects is right here in Stafford County.
36:03We successfully collaborated with the county to rezone a 500-acre site for a 1.8-gigawatt data center campus.
36:12This project will include 19 data centers, six demand substations, and essential water infrastructure.
36:18But what does that mean for jobs?
36:20At full build-out, the Stafford Technology Campus is expected to create between 5,000 and 6,500 construction jobs over the next six to seven years.
36:29Once completed, it will support over 600 high-paying data center jobs with an average salary of $120,000 per year, contributing more than $70 million in payroll to the local economy.
36:41Data centers are not just roles of service storing information. They require a diverse, highly skilled workforce to operate, maintain, and secure these facilities.
36:54Data centers directly employ workers in fields such as electrical engineering, cybersecurity, IT support, and facilities management.
37:02Beyond these technical roles, there is growing need for administrative support, logistics, and project management.
37:07From a skilled trades perspective, these buildings demand speed and quality, employing workers in fields such as electricians, equipment operators, plumbers, fire sprinklers, installers, carpenters, drywallers, tanners, and sheet metal fabricators.
37:21Looking ahead, the growth in this region and state shows no signs of slowing down. By 2030, experts predict that a continued investment in the Virginia data center market will generate even more employment opportunities as technology advances and the demand for data storage and processing continues to rise.
37:37With billions of dollars in investment pouring into the state, we hope Virginia remains at the forefront of this booming industry.
37:43I'd like to take a moment to sincerely thank the Stafford County Board of Supervisors for their continued dedication and leadership on this project.
37:49Your support has been instrumental in driving economic development, data center growth, and ensuring that Stafford remains a private place for business.
37:55I'd also like to thank the only young and person away from the support of this industry's growth.
37:59This commitment to creating a business-friendly commonwealth has helped ensure that Virginia continues to lead the way in data center development.
38:06In conclusion, the most important takeaway from the growth of data centers in Virginia is the creation of opportunities for our youth.
38:12The most valuable asset in any community is the next generation, and it's our responsibility as citizens to ensure that they are educated and have a bright future.
38:20I see the Stafford Technology Campus and the data center industry as a whole playing a crucial role in this effort.