What’s the difference between Victoria’s Secret and the “Modeling & Simulation Center” located in Halifax County’s Riverstone Technology Park? Victoria’s Secret has models that work.
Seriously, what’s going on with that project?
Rumors are flying around that the Modeling & Simulation Center project has completely imploded. Carole Inge, the director, is no longer associated with the project and the phones have been disconnected. We’re looking into the situation and will update this thread on what we find out.
- The Halifax County IDA appears to be controlling what’s left of the “Center”. I talked with Halifax County IDA Director Mike Sexton today and he says that he can’t say much until the authority’s attorneys approve an upcoming press release. That press release should be issued soon as we’ll have it here as quick as we can get it. Sexton implied that the project is very much not-dead and he will invited the media on a tour of the facility so that we can see and report what is happening. Again, more to come on that.
- The project has gotten a lot of Tobacco Commission funding. I’ve spoken with a few Commission members and they had no idea of the project’s apparent problems.
- According to stories, Virginia Tech has dropped support for the project. I’ve got a call in to Larry Hincker, the Associate Vice President for University Relations, to find more on this. UPDATE #1: Larry Hincker called me back and told me that he’s going to have to do some more research on this and has referred my call to other people that will know more about this project.
- UPDATE #2: We’ve found out that the Research & Development committee of the Tobacco Commission will be meeting on Tuesday in Roanoke. Halifax County is requesting a $5,000,000 grant from the Tobacco Commission and this request will be discussed at the meeting. Halifax County’s Connie Nyholm & Ed Owens are on this committee but neither have returned my calls as of yet.
We’ll update this story as soon as we find out any more information.
Why does no one seem to question the fact that there is $1.5 million in equipment out there not working and a good prtion of it not hooked up, another grant approved for $470,000 or so for expenses to operate for two years, 18 months rent free, ground floor instead of the original second floor location, and no explanation of why all the prospective great things that were going to happen have seemed to disappear? And now another $5 million is being asked for from the Tobacco Commission? Couldn’t these funds
be better used for many of the other needs Halifax County has?
Thanks for looking into this,, everytime i think of the $$ spent on that project and how many jobs it has created (any???) compared to what shape schools are in in this county, what teachers make, I am concerned. It seems to be a money pit based more on wishfull thinking than a solid business plan.