Announces "New Beginning" Toward Regional Cooperation Mayor Dwight C. Jones, in a strategic effort to generate regional cooperation, made his first county visit today, meeting with the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors. "I have made several announcements in my first few weeks in office about New Beginnings for the City and for my administration, and I want this visit to serve as a representation of my commitment to a New Beginning of closer working relationships with the City's regional partners," said Mayor Jones. Education was underscored as a priority. Mayor Jones is particularly interested in working together to address common challenges that all school districts face, like how to teach children in their tumultuous middle-school years. The aging infrastructure that the area must deal with was highlighted and the suggestion was made that perhaps there are ways the region can work together on projects that are eligible for the President's econom

The City of Richmond is preparing for the onset of anticipated federal funds as the economic stimulus legislation, known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, has been approved in both chambers of the United States Congress. Now that a version of the plan has passed both the House and Senate, a final compromise can be crafted and is expected to become law early next week. The plan is designed to create jobs, jumpstart growth and lay the foundation for future economic growth. Cities and localities across the country have begun to identify "shovel-ready" projects that can qualify for the funds when they become available. Mayor Dwight Jones and city officials have identified as many as 38 projects that may be eligible for such funding. The city also plans to submit its list of projects to the newly launched website being hosted by Governor Timothy M. Kaine, which is designed to collect potential funding ideas. "We're ready to move forward on many projects that

WHO: Mayor Dwight C. Jones City Council President Kathy Graziano Pres Kabacoff, co-founder and co-chairman of HRI Properties Brian McGhee, general manager, Hilton Garden Inn Richmond Downtown WHAT: Ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the Hilton Garden Inn Richmond Downtown hotel in the historic Miller & Rhoads building WHEN: 10:30 a.m., Thursday, February 12, 2009 WHERE: 501 East Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 BACKGROUND: The opening of the 250-room Hilton Garden Inn Richmond Downtown is a part of the restoration of the historic Miller & Rhoads building that also includes 133 condominium units and 20,000 square feet of retail space. Contact: Tammy Hawley, (804) 646-3110