A Guide to the Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Records, 1988-2005 (bulk 2000-2005) Commerce and Trade, Virginia Secretary of, Records, 1988-2005 (bulk 2000-2005) 42293

A Guide to the Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Records, 1988-2005 (bulk 2000-2005)

A Collection in
the Library of Virginia
Accession Number 42293


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Library of Virginia

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© 2009 By The Library of Virginia. All Rights Reserved.

Processed by: J Porter

Repository
The Library of Virginia
Accession Number
42293
Title
Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Records, 1988-2005 (bulk 2000-2005)
Extent
18.15 cu. ft., 19 boxes
Creator
Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade
Language
English

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Some Constituent Correspondence have sealed confidential records based on Codes of Virginia, 2.2-3801 and 18.2-186.3

Use Restrictions

Some Constituent Correspondence are sealed.

Preferred Citation

Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Records, Accession 42293. State government records collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219

Acquisition Information

Transferred from Secretary of Commerce and Trade by Elaine Wittel.

Historical Information

In 1970, the Governor's Management Commission Study recommended the creation of six "Deputy Governors" assist the Chief Executive in his managerial duties, compatible functions of government were grouped under these administrative heads, who would serve as the Governors top management team or "secretariats," as they are called now. The General Assembly in 1972 created six Secretariats positions initially. As government reorganized, that number fluctuated when government agencies expanded or consolidated.

The office of the Secretary of Commerce and Resources was established in 1972 and was responsible for the areas of economic development and natural resources. In 1986 this secretariat was dissolved and split into two separate offices, the Secretary of Economic Development and the Secretary of Natural Resources. In 1993 the name of the office was changed from the Secretary of Economic Development to the Secretary of Commerce and Trade.

Past secretaries include: Maurice B. Rowe, 1972-1974; Earl J. Shiflet, 1974-1978; Maurice B. Rowe, 1978-1982; Betty J. Diener, 1982-1986; Richard M. Bagley, 1986-1988; Curry A. Roberts, 1988-1990; Lawrence H. Framme III, 1990-1992; Cathleen A. Magennis, 1992-1994; Robert T. Skunda, 1994-1998; Robert J. Stolle, 1998; and Barry E. DuVal, 1998-2002.

The Secretary of Commerce and Trade is appointed by the governor and serves as a member of his cabinet. The Secretary of Commerce and Trade's chief responsibility is to manage the direction of several state agencies that are concerned with the development of commerce and economic development throughout the Commonwealth. Some of the agencies reporting to the Secretary of Commerce and Trade include: Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; Department of Economic Development; Department of Labor and Industry; Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy; Virginia Employment Commission; Virginia Housing Development Authority; Department of Professional and Occupational Regulations; Department of Housing and Community Development; Milk Commission; Department of Minority Business Enterprise; Department of Forestry; Virginia Port Authority; Virginia Racing Commission; and Virginia Resource Authority.

Scope and Content

This collection contains memorandums, correspondence, and reports documenting the administration, management and direction of the Secretary of Commerce and Trade.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into the following series:

Series I. Constituent Correspondence, 1988-2005 (bulk 2002-2003) Series II. Special Projects-Company Files VEDP, 2001-2003 Series III. General Correspondence, 2000-2004 Series IV. Company Files, 1994-2001

Contents List

Series I. Constituent Correspondence , 1988-2005 (bulk 2002-2003) .
Boxes 1-12
Extent: 12 cu. ft.

The Constituent Correspondence provide the citizens concerns and the efforts of the Secretary of Commerce and Trade to carry out the vision of the Warner administration to increase commerce and trade development in the Commonwealth. The letters cover a variety of topics over the four year time frame. One of the main topics of interest that resulted in many letters to the Secretary include the proposed introduction of Senate Bill 260 animal cruelty legislation requiring rule changes for the definition of an animal shelter. The new definition would have required animal foster homes be included in the definition of "animal shelters" and place limits on the number of animals that can be allowed in a foster home. The bill would have also require a fee payment for each foster care animal.

There are many request for extension of unemployment claim benefits to citizens of the Commonwealth impacted by the economic downturn from the attack on September 11, 1999. The correspondence also reflect people writing to the Governor requesting assistance with other unemployment claim problems and the Governor's office transferring those request to the Secretary of Commerce and Trade.

The series provides copies of proclamations issued to counties suffering due to drought conditions and resulting in receiving federal aid for the troubled communities. Price gouging complaints by citizens that happened during and after Hurricane Isabel involving charges for commodities and clean up services.

This series is arranged chronologically by constituent correspondence number.

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Series II. Special Projects-Prospective Company Files VEDP , 1994-2002, (bulk 2001-2002) .
Boxes 1
Extent: 1 cu. ft.

This series provides correspondence with prospective companies and organizations interested in participating in the Virginia Economic Development Partnership program. The records detail plans, concerns and questions regarding the feasibility of government fund investments in special projects/events and companies. The Aviation World's Fair highlights concerns with the success and cost of this project and features correspondence with Virginia's representatives, Mayors, and County Supervisors on success of such an enterprise. There is documentation on the cost of various state officials travels to France to study the Paris France Air show.

There is documentation of the administrations efforts to obtain the 2012 Olympics for Washington D.C. There is correspondence between the Secretary Michael J. Schewel and leaders of the business community and Governor Mark Warner's highlighting efforts to secure the Olympics for the District. There are discussions of costs, bid proposals and the overall impact to the entire community.

There is a complete record for the memorandum of agreement and understanding between the Commonwealth of Virginia and Volvo-GM Heavy Truck Corporation to create jobs in the state of Virginia. This agreement dates back to Governor George Allen's administration and outlines the various relationship changes based on economic conditions. The agreement stipulated certain conditions must be met in order for the company to receive state funding, subsequent layoff announcements presented a problem for the Commonwealth and Pulaski County, the home of the Volvo-GM factory.

This series is arranged alphabetically by company or special event.

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Series III. General Correspondence, , 2002-2003 .
Boxes 1
Extent: 1 cu. ft.

This series provides the incoming and outgoing general correspondence, memorandum, and working notes of Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Michael J. Schewel. The correspondence features thank you letters to the Secretary for his work on bringing new jobs to local communities and cities of the Commonwealth by using the Governor's Opportunity Fund. There are thank you letters from the Secretary to industry leaders for working cooperatively with the Secretary. There are congratulatory correspondence from members of the business community on the selection of Michael Schewel as Secretary of Commerce and Trade. There are correspondence between Secretary Schewel and members of the General Assembly regarding progress of various projects implemented by the Secretary.

This series is arranged chronologically by date.

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Series IV. Company Files, , 1994-2001 .
Boxes 2
Extent: .70 cu. ft.

This series offers information on companies and prospective companies committing to establishing their businesses in the Commonwealth. There are correspondence and memorandums that provide some of previous Governor James Gilmore and his staff's contacts and Governor Mark Warner's staff with these prospective companies. The actual company name involved in transactions with the Commonwealth may not be given in the title of each file due to the apparent sensitive negotiations with companies regarding possible tax benefits and or funds transferred for the purpose of having their business operations move to and employ citizens of Virginia.

The records also reflect the historical background of companies, capital health and investments amounts and benefits that are obtained by having the businesses relocation to the Commonwealth.

This series is arranged alphabetically.

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