State Senator Frank Ruff (R-Mecklenburg County) has been elected to chair the Major Economic Investment Commission (MEI). The Commission acts to oversee Virginia’s economic development efforts that exceed $10 million or that might affect future budgets. The Commission consists of senior members of the Senate Finance Committee and the House Committee of Appropriations as well as the Governor’s Secretaries of Finance, and Commerce and Trade. Ruff has served on the Commission for the last two years.

The Major Economic Investment Commission was created to give final approval before the state agrees to larger economic projects that exceed certain thresholds or that might affect future budgets.

Ruff stated that he looked forward to this new role. “I look at the MEI Commission as the gatekeeper of the state budget on behalf of the taxpayers of Virginia. The Commission is the last stop to make sure the state is receiving the proper value in jobs and wage income when a large economic development prospect is interested in coming to or growing in Virginia.”

Ruff has served in the state Senate since 2000. He serves on the Finance Committee and chairs the Economic Development and Natural Resources Subcommittee responsible for developing the budget for agriculture, natural resources, and economic development efforts. He also serves on the standing policy committees of Rules, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Privileges and Elections, as well as General Laws which he chairs.