Marketing of Hampton Roads to continue despite U.S. economic woes

By Gregory Richards
The Virginian-Pilot© February 13, 2008

NORFOLK

Despite the downturn in the U.S. economy, efforts to market Hampton Roads to outside businesses will continue in full force this year, the head of the region's business development organization said Wednesday.

"We have to be out there even more than before," said C. Jones Hooks, chief executive of the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance. "A lot of companies will take this time to strategize about the future.

"We definitely want to be in their mix when things pick up again," he added.

The weak U.S. dollar may also encourage more foreign companies to invest in the United States, Hooks told reporters at a media gathering at the group's downtown office.

The alliance sells the region to the world on behalf of 15 localities in South Hampton Roads and the Peninsula. Its roughly $3 million annual budget is paid for by payments from those cities and counties, in addition to corporate contributions.

Last year, five businesses the alliance worked with announced plans to set up shop in the region, and one other company said it would expand, Hooks said. Those projects are expected to produce up to 439 jobs, according to the alliance. The group also helped host 76 visits from companies looking to relocate or expand into Hampton Roads, he said. More here.