The Virginia Economic Development Partnership is running a television ad around the country to market Virginia’s business climate.

Although this is not the first time the partnership has produced a television ad, it’s the first time the partnership has received financial support from businesses to produce one, according to Christie Miller of the VEDP. Dominion Resources Inc., Norfolk Southern Corp. and MeadWestvaco Corp. together paid for $450,000 of the ad, which cost $850,000 to create.

The advertisement, which can be seen on the partnership’s homepage, includes comments by CEOs of all three companies and a statement from Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, a key driver of the creation of the advertisement.

Richmond-based Barber Martin Advertising produced the advertisement, which ran nationwide on CNBC, The Golf Channel, Forbes.com and during NBC’s Meet the Press. The advertisement has been running since March and will continue through the end of May.

The Riverside Foundation will spend $1 million to create a pilot program to help the working uninsured get health insurance — even without the state’s participation.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine’s original budget proposed spending $7.7 million to help the working poor. The program would have helped small businesses offer health insurance to their low-income workers. Under the plan, the state would have paid for one-third of the employee’s health insurance premium, while the employee and employer would each contribute a third of the cost.

When it appeared the program would fall victim to a tight budget year, the Riverside Foundation offered $1 million for a pilot program. Riverside Foundation, the charitable arm of Riverside Health System in Hampton Roads, offered its grant if the state would spend $500,000 for the plan.

But the program was not included in the General Assembly’s final budget, leaving Riverside’s donation up in the air. Riverside announced this week it would continue the program without state money.

The Daily Press reports the program will be aimed at businesses with two to 50 employees that don’t already offer health insurance. It would likely only cover employees whose income levels are at 200 percent of the poverty line or below (a household income of $40,000 for a family of four). It would follow Kaine’s model, covering one-third of the health insurance premium up to $75.

Riverside hopes the program will encourage state legislators to fund a larger program.

The Washington Post reports on the first statistical evidence of migration from Prince William County following its crackdown on illegal immigration.

Prince William County has seen a decrease of 759 students in its ESOL programs, with about 623 heading to Fairfax. Others have headed to Loudoun County, Alexandria and Arlington.

Under a resolution passed by the county Board of Supervisors, Prince William began denying some services illegal immigrants and requiring police to check the immigration status of crime suspects they think might be in the U.S. illegally.

This isn’t how it was supposed to be.

Just a year after the General Assembly passed the largest financial boost for state transportation funding in more than two decades, VDOT and the Commonwealth Transportation Board officials have had to cut 44 percent of highway construction funding.

On Wednesday, leaders from around Virginia told transportation officials of their regional transportation woes at VDOT headquarters in Richmond, one of six public hearings around the state held on the revised budget.

VDOT announced last week that a $1 billion shortfall over the next six years meant funding would be reduced by 44 percent for Virginia’s primary, secondary and urban roadways. Many projects across the state have been dropped or delayed in the six-year plan because of a weak economy and the General Assembly’s repeal of abusive driver fees.

“Unfortunately this year starts with a very grim revenue situation,” Virginia Transportation Secretary Pierce Homer said at the start of the Richmond meeting, the third of the six hearings.

Officials listened to regional leaders ask for additional funding for critical transportation needs in their area. Replacing bridges, widening roads and accommodating the anticipated explosive growth at Fort Belvoir and Fort Lee due to the Base Closure and Realignment Commission’s recommendations were among the requests.

Speakers remained cordial, understanding that VDOT did not have control over how much money the state raised for transportation.

“We are going to have to tighten our belt unless something happens on the supply side,” George McCarthy, CTB representative for the Richmond district said at the end of the meeting.

Ironically, those who control the supply side — state legislators — were just a few blocks away, caught up in a fight over judgeships.

It may be awhile before the there will be any new transportation money. Kaine is expected to call the General Assembly back to the Capitol in late June for a special session on transportation. But so far, opposing parties show no sign of compromise on boosting the money supply.

Luck Stone Corp. raised the bar last night for corporate soirees. To kick-off a new approach to its annual showcase of building products, this venerable, family-owned business came up with a fun and funky fashion party that drew about 300 people to the Charles Luck Stone Center in Goochland County. 

Billed as a celebration of stone and style, Elements 2008 didn’t disappoint. Guests could admire stone samples such as the Pietra Piasentina tile from Spain or the Saks Fifth Avenue models who strolled through the party wearing the season’s latest fashions. Music, lights, video,  food, a bar made of ice and demonstrations by Italian mosaic artist Francesca Cestarollo all contributed to a hip, international vibe.

Charles Luck executives were on hand to chat with their guests. David Hisey, director of global sourcing, told of travels around the world in search of exotic stones for the company’s commercial and residential customers. While a housing slump has depressed sales of many building products, last night seemed like an anecdote to the gloom and doom.

CEO Charles S. Luck IV spoke proudly of his family’s legacy. He is the third generation to lead the family business, one of the country’s largest producers of crushed-stone products. “Tonight is all about stone, theatre, artistry and a New York style,” said Luck.  “My grandfather [Charles S. Luck Jr.] was a man of distinctive style and taste.” 

He would have enjoyed this party. It continues for the next three days with a series of workshops on topics ranging from countertops to terraces and pathways. For more information, go to http://www.charlesluck.com/workshops2008.