Bolling touts jobs during visit here

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling visits Fredericksburg

Virginia needs to provide more incentives for job creation, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling told a small group of business owners and economic development advocates yesterday in Fredericksburg.

"If we don't take steps to bring jobs, someone else will," Bolling said.

Bolling, a Republican, is running for re-election this fall against Democratic candidate Jody Wagner. Bolling has been traveling throughout the state on his "Jobs for Virginians Tour" for the past couple of months.

Bolling's Fredericksburg stop was at CorpComm's office at 2300 Fall Hill Ave.

CorpComm helps federal government clients with communications plans and marketing materials. It made Inc. magazine's 2007 list of the 500 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S.

Bolling said he sees his job as lieutenant governor as being the "chief jobs creation officer." He noted that Virginia faces intense competition from other states and countries, and the recession has made it that much harder to attract good jobs.

Bolling said the state needs to look at more tax incentives, enterprise zones and economic development investment.

One of the questions Bolling got was from Jerry Logan, who owns an electrical contracting business and is on the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors. Logan asked how the state could help local governments with transportation funding, including stepping in if the 2 percent gas tax that helps pay for the Virginia Railway Express proves insufficient.

Bolling said everyone agrees the state has a transportation funding problem, but little progress has been made toward improving it. Virginians want better transportation but don't want to pay taxes for it. Bolling said he has a plan that is "realistic and workable."

Bolling's tour yesterday also included stops in Richmond, Gordonsville, Orange and Culpeper.

Today he plans to go to Madison, Charlottesville, Piney River, Madison Heights and Lynchburg.

Ibbie Hedrick, Bolling's communications director, said the lieutenant governor's introductory remarks are similar at all stops, but the ensuing discussion differs based on what attendees want to talk about.

Bill Freehling: 540/374-5405
Email: bfreehling@freelancestar.com