WHEREAS, the Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc., a nonprofit regional marketing and business development agency, has successfully served as the regional economic development resource for the City of Richmond and the Counties of Chesterfield, Hanover, and Henrico since 1994; and

WHEREAS, the Greater Richmond Partnership has helped more than 450 domestic and foreign businesses relocate to the area and expand employment and has helped negotiate deals for new Fortune 1000 headquarters to join the region's business community; and

WHEREAS, the Greater Richmond Partnership has supported $10.6 billion in capital investment by these companies, which increases tax revenue for locality infrastructure and social programs, resulting in a value of $192 per $1 committed by its public sector and private sector investors; and

WHEREAS, the Greater Richmond Partnership has aided in the creation of 50,000 jobs in the Richmond region and battled socioeconomic issues by attracting new high-wage jobs; and

WHEREAS, the Greater Richmond Partnership sets the bar in Greater Richmond regionalism, providing equal vote and parity for its public sector members; and

WHEREAS, the Greater Richmond Partnership continues to generate leads for business attraction, retention, and expansion, enlarging the pipeline of new projects for years to come and increasing the prosperity of the residents of the Richmond region; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc., for its service to the region on the occasion of its 20th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc., as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the organization's success in promoting the City of Richmond and the Counties of Chesterfield, Hanover, and Henrico as preferred business locations.