Sebastien Theroux

Gov. Kaine awards $80,000 grant to Cooper Center to help with census

Gov. Tim Kaine recently awarded an $80,000 grant to the University's Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service in preparation for the upcoming 2010 national census. The grant will aid demographers' statistical research to update address lists and population estimates for Virginia, the seventh fastest growing state in the United States, said Qian Cai, director of Demographics and Workforce Research at the Weldon Cooper Center. The United States Census Bureau relies on both local and state government outfits and private organizations like the Cooper Center to maintain accurate population information.

The long running "Virginia is For Lovers" slogan is up for a spot on the Madison Avenue Advertising Walk of Fame. The slogan, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, was first suggested in 1969 by the Richmond-based advertising agency, Martin & Woltz, Inc. It's "a huge year [for the motto]," said Tamra Talmadge-Anderson, public relations director for the Virginia Tourism Corporation.