The event was held in conjunction with the state-wide Business Appreciation Week declared by Governor Mark Warner for May 12-18. Matt Erskine, Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade for the Commonwealth of Virginia, presented a proclamation from Governor Warner expressing appreciation to the State's businesses.

Left to Right: James City County Economic Development Director Keith Taylor, Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade Matt Erskine, Michelob Championship Executive Director Johnnie Bender, and James City County Administrator Sandy Wanner stand with the special award presented to the Michelob Championship at the County's Celebration of Business Event.

This year's Captain John Smith Award, presented by the County and its EDA for outstanding business achievement, went to Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

"Brien Craft (center), General Manager of the Wal-Mart Import Distribution Center, holds the Captain John Smith Award. Standing with him are John Berkenkamp (left), James City County EDA, and Bruce Goodson (right), James City County Board of Supervisors."

The company was established in James City County in 2000. This location is an import distribution center that serves regional Wal-Mart distribution centers throughout the eastern United States. Construction and outfitting of its 2 million square foot facility involved an initial capital investment of $30 million in 2000, and a subsequent addition of another $38 million in 2001. One hundred fifty people were employed there in 2000, and the company expects to employ another 150 as well.

In presenting the award, Board of Supervisors Chairman Jim Kennedy noted that Wal-Mart has already reached out to get involved in the community in a number of ways, including making substantial financial gifts to a large number of local charitable and civic organizations, as well as encouraging employees to volunteer with the civic or charitable cause of their choice. Before the facility was even open, the entire advance team got involved in the local United Way's Day of Caring.

In further remarks, EDA Chairman Sterling Nichols noted that business has historically played an important role in James City County and continues to do so today. He stated that as companies accomplish their own goals of providing services and products to their customers, at the same time, they are also paying taxes, generating payrolls, training employees in new technologies and business practices, and supporting the community through numerous ways.

Sandy Wanner, County Administrator, also presented a special award to Michelob Championship in recognition of the good will and recognition the Michelob Championship PGA Tournament has brought to the area over more than two decades. Tournament Director Johnnie Bender accepted the award. Mr. Wanner also pointed out that the diversity and strength of the businesses being honored by the event played a large part in the County's bond rating having been upgraded by the two major investor bond rating services in the country over the past year.