The concept of creating a Local Technology Zone in Virginia was established under legislation adopted last year for the City of Manassas. As Senator Howell explains, "Local Technology Zones can be effective tools for localities to use to stimulate business investment and create jobs in their areas.
In 1995, the Local Technology Zone legislation gave Virginia the power to compete with other states and attrct IBM-Toshiba to select a Manassas technology park as its home. My proposal takes the legislation successfully established last year and expands it to allow all our citiies and counties the opportunity to use incenties to attract desirable, jog-generating-technology businesses to Virginia."
"The Technology Zone Legislation provides every jurisdiction with an economic development tool to attract and nurture technology businesses with their high-wage, high-skill jobs," states Ray Pelletier, Executive Director of the Northern Virginia Technology Council. He states further, "This initiative will accelerate the development of Virginia's burgeoning technology industry base and its recognition internationally as the Silicon Dominion. The Northern Virginia Technology Council commends Senator Howell and the General Assembly for embracing this far-sighted legislation."
