My views and record this week on: Economic Development & Commercial 

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs..... Simply put - we must have more - and very quickly! 

Utilize all my many political contacts, on both sides of the aisle, and extensive business contacts garnered through my state-wide Lieutenant Governor campaign in 2008/9 to improve options for job creation in Russell County and SWVA. 

Leverage my 25+ years in the energy sector to help grow and expand all forms of energy jobs - conventional (gas/coal) and non-conventional (CBM/alternative) in our region. 

Continue to be an ambassador for our area through state-wide boards and national associations to promote the strong work ethics and commitment of our residents to help prospective businesses to invest in our area as well as provide stable and attractive work environment to our existing business partners. 

At a minimum, maintain land use credits for our #1 industry - both state-wide and in Russell County - the farmers and agricultural community. Look for ways to enhance this critically important business sector and cornerstone of our home county. 

Identify selective and prudent investments to promote business investments in Russell County and give strong preference to local residents in these home grown initiatives. 

Education - assist in retraining displaced workers and enhance the education experiences of all our students so that more of them can become leaders in job creation efforts. 

Infrastructure - continue to develop and take advantage of our existing assets (industrial sites and a ready work force) to get more industry/manufacturing jobs back home to Russell County. Further develop utilities across our county. 

Use my small business experiences to help other small businesses grow and expand as well as assist new start-ups in going from an idea to a reality. Let's all help each other to improve our quality of economic life in our home county - we can do it!