FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 11, 2017
Contact:
Steven Wright
Director, Economic Development
City of Chesapeake
(757) 382-8040
INIT INC. AND SOUTH NORFOLK JORDAN BRIDGE LLC. NAMED THE 2017 CHESAPEAKE BUSINESSES OF THE YEAR
Chesapeake – The Chesapeake Economic Development Authority is pleased to announce their 2017 Business of the Year recipients. INIT Inc. was named the 2017 Chesapeake Business of the Year and South Norfolk Jordan Bridge LLC was named the 2017 Chesapeake Waterfront Business of the Year.
INIT Innovations in Transportation, Inc., is the worldwide leading supplier of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and electronic fare collection systems for public transit. INIT was established in 1999 in Chesapeake with a small staff of five people and one New York-based transit customer. Today, INIT employs more than 90 staff, operates two manufacturing firms, and provides innovative transit solutions to more than 50 transit agencies across the U.S. and Canada. One month ago INIT moved their entire operations into a newly built 67,000 sf headquarters building inside the Oakbrooke Business and Technology Center, one of Chesapeake’s fastest growing business parks. A grand opening is planned August 3, 2017.
Recognized in 2017 as one of Coastal Virginia magazine’s best places to work, INIT also holds a zero waste to landfill certification through their sustainability commitment to recycle, reuse and repurpose materials. INIT’s charitable contributions include monetary gifts and community service gifts to organizations such as the Salvation Army, the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia, Susan G. Komen research and the Hope House to name a few. “Over the last 18 years, INIT has made five moves to larger spaces,” explains CEO Roland Staib. “The City’s Department of Economic Development has been a vital asset in the expansion and growth of our company from the start. We are honored to receive such a prestigious award.”
South Norfolk Jordan Bridge (SNJB) LLC is the 2017 Chesapeake Waterfront Business of the Year. The SNJB is a continuous water crossing (fixed span) with no lift schedules and affords drivers faster travel in traffic. The fully-electronic tolling system eliminates the need for a toll plaza, thereby keeping traffic moving smoothly and without delays. The new South Norfolk Jordan Bridge opened to traffic on October 30, 2012. No local, state or federal funds were used to build the $142 million project. SNJB is 100% privately funded and operated. Built in less than two years, the SNJB delivers the region’s highest navigational clearance (145′) for free-flowing maritime traffic. It features an ADA compliant, eight-foot wide walkway to facilitate pedestrian traffic and provides a direct link to the Chesapeake’s Colonial Trail system and a future link to Paradise Creek Nature Park in Portsmouth. The popular walkway was named the region’s 2017 Best Place to Hike/Walk by Coastal Virginia magazine.
SNJB has established strong ties in the community supporting a variety of charitable organizations and neighborhood events such as CHIP of South Hampton Roads, South Norfolk Neighborhood Watch, South Norfolk Rotary Club, Elizabeth River Project, Oscar Smith High School and Oasis Social Ministry. “We are honored to receive this award and take great pride in delivering a valuable and reliable river crossing for Chesapeake and the region at large. In our first five years, we eagerly committed to supporting our community and take pride in representing the South Norfolk area of the city. We appreciate the recognition and look forward to continuing as a valued partner for many years to come,” said General Manager Kevin Crum.
“We’re pleased to recognize INIT Inc. and South Norfolk Jordan Bridge LLC. for their roles in driving our economy forward with sustained employment levels, new investment and job creation in the Commonwealth, region and city,” said Steven C. Wright, Director, Chesapeake Economic Development Department. “These two companies are very deserving of this award that recognizes their longevity, investment and corporate citizenry in our community which contributes to a quality of life that benefits all of our citizens.”
The honorees received their congratulatory awards at the 17th Annual Chesapeake Business Appreciation Golf Classic held at Cahoon Golf Course on May 19th. More than 150 members of the business community and city officials were in attendance. The golf tournament’s net proceeds will benefit the HER Shelter based in Chesapeake. HER Shelter’s mission is to provide leadership, advocacy, and resources to survivors and communities affected by Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, and Human Trafficking. http://hershelter.com/.
Representatives from INIT, Inc. and South Norfolk Jordan Bridge, LLC. along with the HER Shelter were formally recognized in City Council Chambers on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.