GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSES $2.1 MILLION IN CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR ODU'S VMASC

Gov. Timothy Kaine unveiled a 2009 budget proposal on Wednesday that would provide $2.1 million in continued state support for Old Dominion University's Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center (VMASC), signifying the growing importance of modeling, simulation and visualization (MS&V) to the Hampton Roads economy.

A $2.1-million budget appropriation, coming in a lean budget year, would demonstrate the faith that the Kaine administration and the General Assembly have in the economic development stimulus of the MS&V sector in Virginia, said John R. Broderick, the ODU acting president.

"The governor's commitment to modeling and simulation surely shows his understanding of what this growing industry means to our region, to the creation of jobs and to the expansion of the economy," Broderick said. "Also, this budget recommendation recognizes the unique role that VMASC plays in educating leaders in this field. More than 125 engineering graduate students at ODU currently are conducting research and studying at VMASC, gaining the qualifications they need to fill jobs in a variety of businesses and industries throughout the region."

An economic impact study released earlier this year found that MS&V enterprises in Hampton Roads provided almost 4,500 high-wage jobs in 2007. These workers earn an average annual salary of about $83,000, up by 37 percent since 2004 and more than double the average for all Hampton Roads workers, according to the study.

VMASC, which was established by ODU in 1997, has been a catalyst for the growth of the MS&V sector, both in the region and state. VMASC experts also have been called upon by the General Assembly to conduct studies and make recommendations on policy matters ranging from road construction to disaster planning. For example, VMASC completed this fall a major Hampton Roads transportation project review that had been commissioned by legislators.