Wednesday, July 29, 2009 - Conscious Security Inc. will move its headquarters from Fredericksburg to Silver Companies' Quantico Corporate Center in Stafford County.

“This new location will allow Conscious Security to showcase our talents and provide greater convenience to our clients and partners by putting us within easy reach,” said Kevin McTarsney, CEO of Conscious Security.

The Quantico Corporate Center campus is being developed by Fredericksburg-based Silver Cos. and is expected to include one million square feet of Class A office space. Construction of a third 140,000-square-foot facility is expected start by the end of the year.

Monday July 27, 2009 -  The Marine Corps Systems Command is the latest tenant to sign for space at Quantico Corporate Center in Stafford County.  The command took 19,998 square feet at 1000 Corporate Dr., which is one of two office buildings that has been built on the campus so far..

More than 100,000 square feet has been leased at Quantico Corporate Center since November 2008 to such defense companies as EG&G, a division of URS Corp., General Dynamics and BAE Systems.

6-23-2009  About 20,000 people came to Wegmans in Celebrate Virginia for opening day, a company spokeswoman said.

To put that number in perspective, the population of Fredericksburg was estimated at 22,291 as of a 2007 count by the University of Virginia's Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service.

6-22-2009  Wegmans wows big first-day crowd: At least one family traveled 70 minutes to Fredericksburg to be there for Opening Day of Wegmans in Celebrate Virginia.  Visitors enjoyed sampling, exploring, people-watching  and, of course, shopping at the brand new 139,000 square foot store.

The Freelance Star described the right side of the grocery phenomenon as "something of a gastronome's theme park. There's a coffee bar, a patisserie, a sushi station, a sit-down seafood bar with wine and beer by the glass, a burrito and panini bar, a kosher deli, a crab-cake counter, and a Thai and Indian buffet, among other things."

5-2-2009  Time to stretch out and enjoy good times and good tunes at the Celebrate Virginia Live summer concert season. If you missed the first show, you still have several more chances. Go to http://www.celebratevirginialive.com/ for a complete schedule, the latest information and more.

Stephanie and Howard Bowman snuggle during the first act at the Celebrate Virginia Live show last night.	Wailers' drummer Anthony Watson and 'Elan' work the crowd that turned out for the first concert of the Celebrate Virginia Live series.	Susan Furman of Tappahannock enjoys the music of The Wailers during the first concert of the Celebrate Virginia Live series last night.
ROBERT A. MARTIN / THE FREE LANCE-STAR	ROBERT A. MARTIN / THE FREE LANCE-STAR	ROBERT A. MARTIN / THE FREE LANCE-STAR

DON'T MISS A SHOW! GO TO CELEBRATEVIRGINIALIVE.COM TO GET YOUR SEASON PASS NOW!

4-30-2009  Celebrate Virginia Live will bring top-notch national touring acts to Silver Companies' Celebrate Virginia project in Fredericksburg. Music will include Rock, Classic Rock, Jam, Country, Alternative and more. The season begins on Friday 5/1 and will run for a minimum of eight shows. Season passes are now available. 

Music acts include:  The Wailers, Keller Williams, Gin Blossoms and TONIC, Toad The Wet, Sprocket/Eddie From Ohio, Little Feat, Dark Star Orchestra, ZOSO, Jo Dee Messina, Travis Tritt

2009 sponsors include:  Miller Lite, Bailey's, Hampton Inn & Suites at Celebrate Virginia, Homewood Suites at Celebrate Virginia, Famous Daves, Papa John's Pizza and Capital Ale House

Connor's Heroes is the Official Charity of Celebrate Virginia Live!  Connor's Heroes is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization deditcated to conquering childhood cancer: http://www.connorsheroes.org/

4-29-2009  Quantico Corporate Center (QCC) continues to grow, luring more defense contractors despite sluggish economy.

4-17-2009  Since November, Silver Companies has leased an additional 100,000 sq. ft. of Quantico Corporate Center. Building 1 is completely leased with Building 2 80% leased. Construction on Building 3 is expected to begin in mid-2010, with delivery roughly nine months later. At roughly 140,000 square feet and four-stories, building 3 will be similar to the first two.

At completion, Quantico Corporate Center is expected to boast one million sq. ft. of Class A office space.

3-10-2009  BAE Systems now has a second division moving into Silver Companies' Quantico Corporate Center. Between the two divisions, BAE is leasing 45,237 sq. ft. and will have 170 employees working on site. Silver Companies will finish its second building this month with the third building at Quantico Corporate Center currently in site plan review. 

At completion, Quantico Corporate Center is expected to boast one million sq. ft. of Class A office space.

3-7-2009  Workers with security clearances may get a Fredericksburg-area telework center. George Washington Regional Commission (GWRC), a company that co-operates three secure telework centers, is seeking to build one closer to Quantico.

Silver Companies' Quantico Corporate Center is located just outside of the south gate to Quantico Marine Corps Base. Access to this eighty-five acre campus is available via US Rte.1 or just seconds away from Interstate 95, exit 148.

3-3-2009  In spite of the current economy, Silver Companies and Spotsyvania County officials are working toward a solution that would allow critical infrastructure work to be completed for the 126-bed Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center currently under development.  With loans harder to come by, an alternate solution is being sought so work will be complete by the time the hospital opens in May 2010.

2-24-2009  Silver Companies Vice President Jervis Hairston, whose family is the subject of a critically acclaimed book on slavery, conducts tours of historic slavery sites in Fredericksburg. Germanna Community College and others dedicated to continuing education participate. 

2-21-2009  The newest addition to Silver Companies'  Quantico Corporate Center is a technology center run by MTCSC Inc. that allows companies and universities to work together developing products for government clients.

Two of MTCSC's biggest clients are the Marine Corps and the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization. Among the company's business partners are Google, Microsoft, CommVault and VMware. The company has also discussed partnering with George Mason University, the University of Mary Washington and Virginia Tech.

12-31-2008  Silver Companies delivers an unusual -- but happy -- New Year's Day message: News of South Gateway Drive, a nearly $1 million road designed and built by the Silver Companies that provides a quick shortcut to I-95 that allows people who live in the area to avoid U.S. 17 traffic. It also provides an easy way in and out of Carter's Crossing shopping center.

"I use it almost daily," said George Schwartz, Stafford Board of Supervisors chairman, and supervisor for the Falmouth district. "Most of it is three lanes, with a middle turning lane, and I think the Silver Companies did an excellent job, and I congratulate them."

12-3-2008  While Stafford County has traditionally "sold itself" as a prime location, businesses might soon have still more reason to locate here. The County is proactively taking a look at such incentive programs as Technology Zones. "We may need an additional tool in this tough economy," said Deputy County Administrator Tim Baroody.  "Anything we can do in-house without additional costs that encourages economic development is good," supervisor Paul Milde said.

Silver Companies' Celebrate Virginia project is located along I-95 in both Stafford County and Fredericksburg, Va. Celebrate Virginia has already incorporated two residential developments into its massive 2,400-acre retail, entertainment and attractions destination. One of its next phases will incorporate a corporate campus so that employers can enjoy proximity and a highly-educated workforce at less cost than D.C. and employees can enjoy reverse commutes and great amenities.

11-13-2008  Silver team members Phillip Baxter and David Newman secured another tenant for Quantico Corporate Center, leasing 25,400 sq. ft. to General Dynamics. With its proximity to Quantico Marine Base, Silver's Center is uniquely positioned to meet the real estate needs for Base vendors and related industries, not to mention other businesses who serve those residing in or near Stafford County or desire the advantage of being close to D.C.

Silver Companies' Quantico Corporate Center site is within a 30-minute drive to Washington, DC and the Pentagon.

10-30-2008   About half a billion dollars in defense procurement contracts flowed to companies in the Fredericksburg area last year, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. As a result, money is also flowing to hundreds of area support companies for goods and services.

The foundation is only growing stronger: Four years ago, according to the Fredericksburg Regional Alliance, there were about 350 contractors; today there are more than 800. Thanks to its proximity to the seat of government, numerous military bases and other factors, Virginia has been a magnet for defense contractors, with many area workers commuting to jobs at the Pentagon, Fort Belvoir and a host of other defense jobs in Northern Virginia.

"All of that contracting is important, and you're building on a nice base there," said Stephen Fuller, director of the George Mason University Center for Regional Analysis, and as a result, "it's given the Fredericksburg region an economy stronger than its population would have supported on its own."

10-24-2008   A growing number of individuals and businesses continue to move away from the Washington area into the counties of Stafford and Spotsylvania and the city of Fredericksburg. Local officials say that in the last 18 months, close to $300 million of new investment has been announced, including the Kalahari resort coming to Celebrate Virginia and the medical office campus.

Quanitco, BRAC realignments, Virginia Railway Express, and quality housing and education are also listed as benefits to the area where Silver Companies' Celebrate Virginia is located. The retail, entertainment and attractions destination spans property on both sides of the Rappahannock River in Fredericksburg and Stafford County and along I-95. 

10-1-2008  Touted as the largest event in the Fredericksburg area "with a who's who list of vendors", the Fredericksburg Expo Center at Celebrate Virginia kicks off the Holiday season with its Fall Arts & Crafts Festival October 11 - 12.

9-17-2008  Regal Entertainment Group announces plans to renovate its Central Park movie theater while two other companies cast their eyes to Fredericksburg as a potential future location - Muvico Entertainment and Frank Theatres. 

"We think Fredericksburg is a growth area," said Bruce Frank, president of Frank Theaters. "We like what it represents for the future of entertainment."

9-18-2008  The first building delivered by Silver Companies' for its Quantico Corporate Center is now fully leased. BAE Systems will occupy 33,055 square feet with 130 workers expected to work there initally; the defense giant said it may eventually have 167 employees at the site to support the $94 million Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation Activity Omnibus Support contract.

8-23-2008  Interest builds for Quanitco Corporate Center with construction on its second 140,000-square-foot building expected to be completed by March 1.

8-15-2008  Washington Business Journal touts the 85-acre Quantico Corporate Center, just outside the south gate of the Marine Corps base straddling I-95, as one of the high-profile new developments under way in Stafford. WBJ also calls the move of Globe and Laurel restaurant to Quanitco a symbol of changes underway in Prince William, Stafford and Spotsylvania counties, namely that the area is transforming to an extension of metro Washington D.C.  Location benefits and signs of additional growth explored.

8-4-2008   MTC Services Corp. expanded its space at Silver Companies' Quantico Corporate Center by nearly 16,000 square feet, bringing the tenant's total to a current 57,707 square feet.

7-16-2008 - Regarding news that a $200 million Kalahari Resort will be built in Silver Companies' flagship "Celebrate" project located in Fredericksburg -- Celebrate Virginia -- City Economic Development Director Kevin Gullette said it will "completely redefine us as a tourism destination."

According to the Madison State Journal as reported by the Freelance Star, the Kalahari will sit on 49 acres next to the Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center. The project includes a 125,000-square-foot indoor waterpark, 100,000 square feet of conference space, and 700 guest rooms and suites. And the development to be announced is expected to bring more than 1,000 jobs to the city.

6-21-2008 - Virginians find numerous reasons to celebrate the Wegman's food market concept, with its Celebrate Virginia location slated to open next summer on land adjacent to that of the hotels and convention campus. 

6-19-2008 - The Fredericksburg Expo and Conference Center at Celebrate Virginia will be "rally central," said Rally Coordinator Dick Becker, with approximately 1,440 people pre-registered for the Virginia Harley-Davidson rally and another several hundred expected to register in person. 

The three hotels adjacent to the Expo Center are mostly booked up through Saturday nights, according to Matt Addis, assistant general manager for the Homewood Suites by Hilton. Early birds started arriving Monday. Rally participants have already booked nearly 900 room nights, Becker said.

Becker said last year's rally in Williamsburg generated about $2.1 million in local economic impact, and about $100,000 in tax revenue. Although estimated attendance is expected to be about 20 percent lower this year due in part to the economic slowdown and higher gas prices, this year's rally should also generate solid tax revenue for the city.

5-19-08 Planning Commission recommends approval of new Silver Companies development "Shiloh Crossing Retail Center" in King George County. Proponents cite tax income and convenient shopping closer to home for young families as among benefits.

5-17-08 Fredericksburg Expo and Conference Center in Celebrate Virginia serves as hub for half marathon that accounted for $2.3 million in tax revenue when race ran in 2006 in Arlington & Washington. While Fredericksburg officials know they won't see the same numbers, an economic boost from all the activities is welcome and expected. Events are planned to showcase both the historic downtown area of Fredericksburg and to draw them to the retail mecca of Central Park and the adjoining tourism development of Celebrate Virginia. More than 600 hotel rooms booked and crowds in excess of 24,000 anticipated with more than 6,000 runners from across the nation registered to participate.

"The whole region will benefit from this," said Fredericksburg economic development director Kevin Gullette. "I think everybody's going to feel the spillover."

4-23-08 Kalahari Resorts in Celebrate Virginia wins six of seven votes from Fredericksburg City Council members. City ordinances necessary to distribute tax-based incentives pass.

4-9-08 Kalahari project draws overwhelming support during public hearing. Kalahari's potential to create jobs prasied along with the wide impact that its $230 million project will have in the local economy.

4-2-08  The D.C. capital region may not immediately come to mind when people think of high tech, but it should," said Matthew Kazmierczak, vice president of research and industry analysis at AeA. "Proximity to the federal government, including its major research centers, combined with a highly educated work force, has made the area a key location for innovation."  Washington Business Journal touts D.C. area's technology sector as No. 2 in nation.

3-21-2008 - Forbes.com states that “Stafford County has a proven ability to land federal jobs and companies with government contracts, as well as to attract businesses from all over the country…”  Earlier this year, Forbes.com also recognized Stafford as the 11th wealthiest county in the United States. Silver Companies' Celebrate Virginia project sits in both Fredericksburg, Va./Spotsylvania County and Stafford County.

3-19-08 Consultant calls Kalahari the "gold standard" of water park hotel operators, and said its claims that it will generate nearly $6 million in new annual tax revenue for the city are reasonable. 

"There really is very limited direct risk to the city, which is very important," said James Prost, of Maryland-based Basile, Baumann, Prost, Cole & Associates. "A hotel project, and particularly a major resort hotel project like this, is going to bring in net revenue that the city would not otherwise receive."

2-26-08 Local newspaper points to progress in Fredericksburg region; includes Celebrate Virginia South benchmark as example of improvements that bode well for the community.

3-5-08 DC Military writes about the history of Quantico Marine Base, located in close proximity to Silver Companies' Quantico Corporate Center.

"With so many diverse yet intricately woven units, it is appropriate that Quantico is called the Crossroads of the Marine Corps. This is perhaps the only command whose mission touches the farthest reaches of the Corps; decisions made here impact Marines aboard ship, fighting in the Global War on Terrorism, on guard duty at embassies across the globe and reserve duty throughout the United States."

3-1-08 Uptown Central Park will now be known as Central Park Town Center. Demand for office space in the area together with the conveniences and draws of Celebrate Virginia helps spark new focus to go with a new look:

"One of the things we're finding is that businesses as far away as Richmond and Northern Virginia are interested in coming here, which is exciting," said Rappaport's Simeck. "It's due to the two new hospitals that are coming and the location midway between Richmond and Washington. With the [Fredericksburg Expo and Convention Center] and all the tourism drawn to the area because of that, it's the place to be."

2-20-08 Fitch Ratings assigns an 'A+' rating to Stafford County, VA's $49.5 million Economic Development Authority lease revenue bonds, series 2008. The long-term 'AA-' rating reflects Stafford County's strong economic growth, fueled by its location along the Interstate 95 corridor between Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA, and good prospects for further development; low unemployment rate; moderate debt burden and manageable capital program; and variable financial results.

Among the Silver Companies projects located within Stafford Country is Celebrate Virginia North, part of the 2,400-acre retail, entertainment and attractions destination that is also North America's Largest Retail Resort.