Mayor Dwight Jones expressed his commitment and support for the minority business community and noted his interest in ensuring that the small and minority business community has every opportunity to participate in the city procurement process. "My commitment to entrepreneurship and business opportunity has been present throughout my public service career. We are reviewing City performance where small and minority business inclusion is concerned and we are sending a message to all City contractors of the importance of inclusion," said Mayor Jones. Mayor Jones' commitment was expressed following a news conference held by the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP in support of contracting opportunities for minority businesses and entrepreneurs. Contact: Tammy Hawley, (804) 646-3110

New Beginning Seeks AAA Bond Rating for City As a tool to “Build a Better Richmond,” Mayor Dwight C. Jones today announced his goal to pursue a Triple-A (AAA) bond rating for the City of Richmond. The announcement came during the Informal Session of the Richmond City Council in the Council Chambers, during which the mayor issued the following statement: "I am before you today with what is perhaps the most important of my New Beginnings: the new start of planning for our long-term financial future. We are in a unique moment in time – in a dire economy – to plot our pathway into the future. We know that the economic downturn is not over and we know that the economy will rebound. During this period, the best thing we can do is to tighten our fiscal belts, assess our finances, and develop a bold plan into the future – by setting our goals now and then implementing those goals. "Today, I am setting in motion our Tier One Plan. We want to become a Tier One City and we aren’t go...

Mayor Dwight C. Jones issued the following statement today: “The allocation of $1.5 million in law enforcement funds to the City of Richmond from Recovery Act 2009 is welcomed news. We are experiencing our lowest crime rate in 27 years and this funding will aid in continuing our momentum. “On behalf of the citizens of Richmond, I would like to thank President Barack Obama and the Virginia Congressional Delegation for providing this allocation to the City. “We will use this funding to continue our progress in providing for the safety of those who work, live and play in the City of Richmond.” Contact: Tammy Hawley, (804) 646-3110

WHO: Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones Children's Museum of Richmond President and CEO Karen Coltrane Verizon Area Manager Randolph Dillard WHAT: Special guest reader participation by Mayor Jones in celebration of National Reading Month WHEN: Wednesday, March 4, 2009 11:30 a.m. WHERE: Children's Museum of Richmond 2626 W. Broad Street BACKGROUND: Educators and literacy advocates nationwide celebrate National Reading Month during the month of March. The Children's Museum of Richmond (CMoR) has a month-long calendar of activities planned to celebrate National Reading Month, and Mayor Jones is kicking-off those activities by participating as a guest reader during Story Time at the museum. Children from Chimborazo Elementary, Fairfield Court Elementary and VCU Head Start program are expected to be visitors at the museum for the reading. The museum also expects childr...

Tonight the City will open the Cold Weather Shelter at Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church, 14 West Duval Street. This shelter will also open tomorrow night, Tuesday, March 3. The shelter will open each night at 6:30 p.m. and close the following morning at 6 a.m. For citizens needing shelter during the day tomorrow, Tuesday, March 3, Freedom House is opening an Inclement Weather Shelter at the Conrad Center, 1400 Oliver Hill Way, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. This shelter will provide citizens a warming area and meals during the day. The Cold Weather Shelter at Marshall Street Plaza will not be open tomorrow; again, citizens are encouraged to go to the Conrad Center if they are in need of shelter. Pets, with the exception of service animals, will not be allowed at either shelter location. The City will continue to monitor shelter need and has additional contingency plans under consideration if the need arises. All residents should take measures to avoid prolonged exposure to the cold weather. W...

Due to the effects of Sunday’s winter storm, City of Richmond government offices will be closed today, Monday, March 2. Essential personnel are expected to report as detailed in each department’s Winter Emergency Plan. Contact: Tammy Hawley, (804) 646-3110

WHO: Mayor Dwight C. Jones WHAT: Update of City's progress in responding to the winter storm WHEN: 5:30 a.m. on Monday, March 2, 2009 WHERE: Department of Public Works Parker Field Operations Center At Hermitage Road and Avenue of Champions BACKGROUND: Mayor Jones will provide an update on the City's efforts in response to Sunday's winter storm. Contact: Tammy Hawley, (804) 646-3110