Funding regionalism

By JOHN REID BLACKWELL
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

Local businesses and governments will soon be asked to commit millions of dollars to continue a regional effort aimed at attracting businesses to the Richmond area and keeping current business growing here.

The Greater Richmond Partnership Inc., a regional economic-development group for the city of Richmond and Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover counties, is preparing for a fundraising campaign.

The group also has explored with Goochland, New Kent and Powhatan counties the idea of joining the regional partnership. But officials in two of those counties expressed reluctance because of the cost.

Working with the Greater Richmond Chamber, the partnership plans to seek about $18 million to support its work for five years starting in 2009.

That's a more conservative goal than the initial $20 million that partnership and chamber officials considered seeking, but it's still an increase from the $16 million the partnership raised from its last campaign in 2004. More here.