The Batten School of Public Policy and Leadership hosted the Virginia secretary of commerce and trade Tuesday to speak about successes and weaknesses in Virginia’s economy.
A Rhodes Scholar and graduate of both Hampden-Sydney College and the University Law School, Maurice Jones has worked for the U.S. Treasury Department, The Virginia Department of Social Service and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Jones said the Department of Defense is the top employer in the Commonwealth, with twice as many employees as the second biggest employer, Wal-Mart. This makes the Virginia economy heavily dependent on defense spending.
“When the Department of Defense is spending the Virginia economy soars,” Jones said, “and when the department is in contraction mode, the Virginia economy feels like no other economy in the country.”
In response to this dependency, Jones said the Department of Trade and Commerce’s focus is on promoting private sector growth. His department is focused on building up a healthy infrastructure, creating an inviting financial environment, and promoting entrepreneurship in order to increase the strength and impact of the private sector.
Third-year Law student PJ Harris, who attended Jones’ talk, said this focus on building up the private sector is important.
“I think the imbalance between public and private sector jobs is what Mr. Jones stressed the most,” Harris said, “so I [think] growth in the private sector is therefore most important to stimulating the Virginia economy.”
Regarding entrepreneurship, Jones described efforts made by his department to create an environment conducive to young entrepreneurs.
“We are looking at ways we can work with universities that makes it easier for students to own their own enterprises,” Jones said. “We are working with universities for students to receive academic credit for starting businesses.”
Leadership is the most important factor in determining future success in the private or public sphere, Jones said.
“What is missing in government are people who believe the ultimate job is to get something done and to get something done fast, so I am grateful for a place like this that focuses on public policy and leadership,” Jones said, highlighting the University’s Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy.
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