Have you ever wanted to discuss an economic development topic with someone for guidance and advice? Have you wondered what organizations are meaningful for professional development and training in the economic development field? Have you considered participating in the VEDA Mentor Exchange in the future? 

Please remember that the most rewarding part of our professional careers will be the wealth of opportunities we have to interact with, learn from, and enjoy VEDA’s fascinating members. Use your VEDA website to us the member search function to make a contact and search out their superpowers.

Have a technology issue in your community? Christina Winn (Prince William County Department of Economic Development & Tourism), VEDA’s Immediate Past President also serves on the board of the Northern Virginia Technology Council and is a member of the George Mason University President’s Innovation Advisory Council.

Are you wondering if there are other beneficial economic development organizations that you should participate in? Greg Hitchin (City of Waynesboro Economic Development & Tourism), VEDA’s Vice President served on the Board of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and the Industrial Asset Management Council (IAMC). VEDA Treasurer Garrett Hart (Chesterfield County Economic Development) is a past chairman, board member and honorary life member of the Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC) – and his economic superpower is story telling. 

VEDA Past President David Manley (Joint IDA of Wythe County) currently serves as the Virginia State representative for SEDC – and his economic superpower - convening and negotiating. And to that Matt Johnson (City of Charlottesville Economic Development), VEDA’s Secretary, can respond that his economic superpower is using humor to diffuse tense situations – and all of us will agree that he brings humor and fun to all that we do.

For rural or education issues - Liz Povar (Riverlink Group), a past president of VEDA serves as the Governor’s appointee to the Frank Ruff Center for Rural Virginia’s Board of Trustees; Immediate Past Chair, Commonwealth Alliance of Rural Colleges; and Immediate Past Chair, Virginia Ed Strategies. Clearly, her economic development superpower is convening divergent views. 

If you need help on Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) issues, Toi Hunter Vice President of BRE (Hampton Roads Alliance) also worked for the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) as Business Manager for BRE assigned to eastern Virginia and previously managed the Virginia Jobs Investment Program. And of course, her economic development superpower is active listening.

I encourage you to take time to read our Meet Our Members page – it is enjoyable, enlightening, and a true professional development exercise. Read about: Chris McNamara (Virginia Housing) who is driven to make a difference by Virginia Housing’s mission. Ebonie Atkins (Henrico County Economic Development Authority) who found her dream job by a Google search. Marian Marquez (Alexandria Economic Development Partnership) who attended high school in Austria, worked in Moscow and backpacked all over South America. Telly Tucker (The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research-IALR) who rocks the ivory keys of a baby grand when he is not playing with his band or leading IALR.

John Kilgore (Scott County Economic Development), active musician and DJ, is best defined by someone else.  

So — take a make believe trip off the interstate

Turn your record player on and cool your feet in the mountain springs;

And if you ever do really get to drive through Scott County, Virginia,

Say “hello” to The Addingtons, The Bayes, The Kilgores, The Daughertys, The Parkers and The Carters

They’re the “Salt of the Earth.”



— Johnny Cash’s dedication written on the back of the Original Carter Family album titled My Old Cottage Home, released 1973

Thank you all for the professionalism, comradery and fun!

Linda Green

VEDA President

Southern Virginia Regional Alliance

VEDA Fall Conference registration is open! Register for pre-conference activities!

The 2024 Fall Conference Committee is excited to welcome you to the 2024 Fall Conference for VEDA members and guests. The committee and partners throughout the region are diligently working to finalize conference details to ensure the conference is a top-notch experience.

Scheduled for September, the Fall Conference will center around the 2024 VEDA theme, Exploring the Intersection of Community & Economic Development! There is a specific focus on talent, workforce, and asset-based economic development strategies that are often found at the intersection of strong community and economic development strategies.

Lots of you are probably asking questions about childcare, innovative workforce programs and solutions to skills gaps. The conference will address those topics head on with special presentations from Mark Perna, generational expert and author, and Stephen Moret of Strada Education Foundation on the future of education, generational challenges, and the disconnect between education and employment/opportunity.

Make sure to update your calendar and secure your room without delay. The Conference Committee is excited to offer pre-conference activities including golf, a tour of the most ambitious mixed-use development in the region’s history at Riverdale, and a tour of Explore Park, an 1,100-acre recreation facility operated by Roanoke County Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism offering an incredible diversity of outdoor recreational opportunity. Join us for a fantastic conference that offers invaluable networking opportunities, a wealth of knowledge, and a healthy dose of fun.

We look forward to seeing you in Roanoke, Virginia!

Danielle Poe, Economic Development Director, County of Franklin, Virginia

John Michael Hull, Executive Director, Roanoke Regional Partnership

Fall Conference Committee Co-Chairs

Check out these Pre-Conference Activities

Golf

Since 1899, Roanoke Country Club has offered its members the most prestigious private club amenities. The Club's 27-hole course was originally designed by legendary golf architect A.W. Tillinghast. The course layout features three nine-hole courses that can be played in three eighteen-hole combinations. With 27 holes of exceptional golf, Roanoke Country Club Members enjoy variety as well as unfettered access to the best golf in the region. Roanoke Country Club offers a complete practice area including a main driving range, a second short iron range, an indoor hitting area, a short game practice green and a practice putting green adjacent to the tournament staging area. After 125 years, The Roanoke Country Club, a founding member of the Virginia State Golf Association in 1904, remains among the premier private clubs in Virginia.

The VEDA Golf Committee would like to encourage members to enter the golf outing as a team. The Golf Committee is reaching out to potential team captains to form and enter teams. If you are interested in forming a team and need help identifying players or are interested in playing on a team, please contact Paul Bryan (540-344-7939, pbryan@fandr.com). Anyone wishing to donate raffle prizes or cart gifts to the outing should contact Paul.

The format for the golf outing will be a Scramble (“Captain’s Choice”). In this format all team members will play a shot, decide which shot is preferred for the next stroke, then all players will play their next stroke from that location. This process is repeated until the ball is holed. This format is intended to appeal to golfers of all skill levels, as each golfer will not have to play only their ball. The VEDA Golf Committee encourages beginner and novice golfers to participate, either individually or as a team. If you are a beginner or a novice golfer, please let Paul know and he will work to pair you an appropriate team.

The format for the golf outing will be a Scramble (Captain’s Choice). In this format all team members will play a shot, decide which shot is preferred for the next stroke, then all players will play their next stroke from that location. This process is repeated until the ball is holed. This format is intended to appeal to golfers of all skill levels, as each golfer will not have to play only their ball. The VEDA Golf Committee encourages beginner and novice golfers to participate, either individually or as a team. If you are a beginner or a novice golfer, please let Paul know and he will work to pair you an appropriate team.

• Location: Roanoke Country Club, 3360 Country Club Drive NW, Roanoke. 540-345-1508.
• Date/Time: Wednesday, September 25, 2024; Registration: 10:30 am; Shotgun Start: 11:30 pm.
• Cost: Per Individual: $100. Per Foursome: $395. Price includes one round of golf at the Roanoke Country Club; cart; driving range access prior to shotgun start; lunch, drinks, and prizes for top teams.

Riverdale Redevelopment Project and Wasena Neighborhood Tour

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to visit Riverdale, an ambitious project to redevelop the former Roanoke Industrial Center. The redevelopment features apartments as well as creative and adaptive reuse featuring the inclusion of the region’s vibrant arts/cultural community and outdoors/recreation. With a commitment to expend at least $50 million over the life of the project, Riverdale is the most ambitious mixed-use project in the region’s history. The group will depart for the Wasena neighborhood which has developed new commercial and recreational uses along the Roanoke River Greenway including the Wasena Tap House where attendees will enjoy lunch. **Limit 25 participants**

• Location: Meet in Lobby of Hotel Roanoke and depart by way of dedicated Star Line Trolley service to Riverdale.
• Date/Time: Wednesday, September 25, 2024; 10:30 am – 3:00 pm
• Cost: $35 per person for VEDA Members/$65 per person non-members. Lunch and transportation included.

Explore Park Tour

About the Tour: Come to Explore Park to learn how economic development and outdoor recreation can create placemaking opportunities for businesses, tourists and citizens. This will be an informative session that includes lunch, a presentation and park tours. The event will be from 10am to 2pm and is sponsored by Roanoke County Economic Development. Presenters will include Doug Blount, Assistant County Administrator; Allen Hayes, Director of Parks, Recreation and Tourism; and Lindsay Webb, Assistant Director of Economic Development. * *Limit 25 participants**

• Location: Meet in Lobby of Hotel Roanoke and depart by way of a dedicated bus to Explore Park.
• Date/Time: Wednesday, September 25, 202410:00 am – 2:00 pm
• Cost: $35 per person for VEDA Members/$65 per person non-members. Lunch and transportation included.

VEDA offers multiple recognition opportunities - Rising Star Award, Top Project Awards, and the Michael W. Woods Legislator of the Year Award are all open to receive nominations!

VEDA Top Projects Awards

DEADLINE FOR NEXT AWARDS CYCLE: Friday, November 1, 2024

In its third year and rapidly growing, VEDA’s Top Project Countdown Awards is a unique and fun program to highlight the vast talent that we have in Virginia. This end of the year awards program celebrates a variety of economic development projects that are making positive impacts upon our communities.  

Do you have one of the best economic development projects in the Commonwealth for 2024? Help us count down the 10 best projects in Virginia this year! We will showcase your project video at the VEDA Winter Membership Meeting on Thursday, December 5th in Richmond. Let's end 2024 by celebrating our profession, having a few good laughs, and highlighting all the fantastic work of our members! 

We know that everyone is really busy, so we tried to make this as easy as possible for you. But we think it’s important to recognize the amazing work that our members are accomplishing in a unique and fun way.

If unsure of what to do, you can check out some of the previous winning video submissions

Complete the online application and upload your video (no less than 30 seconds and no more than 60 seconds) on the VEDA website, no later than Friday, November 1, 2024.

VEDA Rising Star Award

DEADLINE FOR NEXT AWARD CYCLE: Friday, September 27, 2024

The Rising Star Award will be given to a VEDA member who has made a mark on their employer during a relatively short tenure in a new role. Nominees for this award should demonstrate an appetite for excellence, an aptitude for learning new skills or mastering new responsibilities and show initiative in the workplace while modeling a positive attitude and professionalism in the field.

Nominations are being accepted and the recipient will be announced at the VEDA Winter Membership Meeting on Thursday, December 5th in Richmond. Both the nominator and the nominee must be a member of the Association.

A nominee must have been in a new role for less than three (3) years from the date of the nomination (a new role is defined as a promotion, changing place of employment, or changing departments/ divisions/ teams, etc.). The Rising Star may only be awarded to an individual once. All nominations must be received online.

Past Rising Star Award Recipients

2023 Abigail Patterson, Virginia Economic Development Partnership

2022 Bryan Rothamel, Culpeper County

2021 Rebekah Castle, Augusta County

2020 Meghan Welch, Virginia Economic Development Partnership

VEDA Michael W. Woods Legislator of the Year Award

DEADLINE FOR NEXT AWARD CYCLE: Friday, December 6, 2024

The VEDA Michael W. Woods Legislator of the Year (LOTY) Award was awarded for the first time in 2007 to Senator Walter A. Stosch to recognize his efforts in serving as an ambassador for economic and community development in Virginia. As this annual award continues to be an important recognition, the VEDA Board has continued to strengthen the process.

The LOTY was named in honor of VEDA’s long-time legislative liaison Michael W. Woods, who died on November 18, 2020, after a battle with cancer.

Candidates do not have to be VEDA members, nor must their contributions be related to any particular project or activity. The VEDA LOTY Committee will judge the awards based on Legislation Leadership; Budget Leadership; General Assembly Leadership; Local and State Partnerships; and Virginia Free Ranking/Business Climate Record.

Help VEDA recognize those legislators who are positively promoting economic development in Virginia.

VEDA Scholarship applications being accepted now for 2025 education events

Economic developers realize the importance of professional development. Educational venues - where knowledge, professional experience, and best practices are shared between economic development practitioners - provide invaluable learning opportunities. VEDA offers professional development scholarships through the Waller Family Memorial Scholarship program annually to help its members with their professional development efforts.

In October 2023, the VEDA Board restructured VEDA's scholarship program to be more flexible for applicants. VEDA scholarship funding is determined in VEDA's annual budgeting process and distributed at the discretion of the VEDA Awards & Scholarship Committee, based on the number of applications received and the tuition costs of the indicated course.

DEADLINE FOR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATONS: Friday, November 15, 2024. Scholarship recipients will be notified by December 31, 2024.

VEDA Partner News

Senator Frank M. Ruff Center for Rural Virginia

The Governor's Summit on Rural Prosperity will be held on October 29-30 in Wytheville, Virginia. Hosted by the Virginia Rural Center (VRC), a collaborative partnership of the Center for Rural Virginia and the Council for Rural Virginia, this summit will bring together local, state and private sector representatives from across Virginia to discuss innovative initiatives occurring in rural communities and solutions to challenges faced by the state's less-densely-populated regions. While an agenda and list of keynote speakers has not yet been released, registration will open soon. Learn More.

Virginia Chamber of Commerce

On September 18^th, the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and Hampton Roads Alliance will co-host the Virginia Forum on Infrastructure and Its Impact on Economic Development at The Williamsburg Lodge. The Forum will bring together business leaders and economic development professionals for discussions on the critical role that high-quality infrastructure plays in ensuring that Virginia remains the best state for business. Commissioner Mark Christie of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will provide keynote remarks. Full program information and registration can be found HERE.

Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)

Registration is open for Virginia Main Street Regional Rev Up Workshops

Mark your calendars and plan to join the Virginia Main Street (VMS) team in September for regional Rev Up workshops focused on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a gamechanger for downtown revitalization and organizational development. This hands-on training opportunity will teach Main Street professionals and non-profit administrators from across the Commonwealth how to leverage tools to expand the capacity of their organization. Learn more below!

The Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) received $20,000,000 in the 2024-2026 Virginia Biennial Budget to initiate a grant program to support improvements at significant historic sites and history museums in Virginia in anticipation of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and the 1776 United States Declaration of Independence (also known as the nation's semi quincentennial). Eligibility is not limited to properties related to the America Revolution. Any historic site or museum that meets requirements is eligible to apply.

Virginia Economic Development Partnership

The Virginia Brownfields Restoration and Economic Redevelopment Assistance Fund (VBAF) has launched the FY 2025 Assessment and Planning Grants. The VBAF Assessment and Planning Grant is designed to promote the restoration and redevelopment of brownfield sites and to address environmental problems or obstacles to reuse so that these sites can be effectively marketed to new economic development prospects. VBAF Assessment and Planning Grants are available in amounts up to $50,000. Applications are now available and are being accepted on a rolling basis.

The FY 2025 Site Remediation Grants are not yet open for applications. Program guidelines and all application templates are available on VEDP’s website here.

Register for the two remaining VEDA/VEDP impactED events of 2024

The remaining events of 2024 include Monday, October 21st and Monday, November 18th. Topics and Speakers to be announced. Don't forget that all impactED events are recorded and posted on the VEDA website. For a schedule, more information or registration CLICK HERE. Details coming soon!

Welcome New Members

VEDA continues to grow and create an economic development professional community that's top notch! Please welcome these new members who joined during July!

REGION 1

• Leslie Litton, Community Development Director, Lee County
• Reagan Walsh, Town Planner, Town of Wise

REGION 3

• Joseph Snead, Project Engineer, Dewberry Engineers Inc.

REGION 4

• Kaelyn Davis, Southeast Regional Environmental Manager, LaBella Associates,
• Chanel Guidry, Virginia Economic Development Partnership
• Jackie Evans, Economic Development Assistant, Powhatan County Economic Development
• Brian Kroll, Senior Research Analyst, Mangum Economics
• Benjamin Snider, Manager, Project Analytics, Virginia Economic Development Partnership

Member News

VEDA is 600+ members strong and our members are working every day to improve their communities and the Commonwealth. Catch up here on their accomplishments and congratulate them when you see them! If you have news you would like to share about yourself or another VEDA member, please email VEDA@associationbuilders.com.

Elizabeth "Liz" Povar (Riverlink Group) was appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Senator Frank

M. Ruff Center for Rural Virginia. (Commerce and Trade secretariat)

Chris Gullickson (The Port of Virginia) was appointed to the Virginia Offshore Wind Development Authority. (Commerce and Trade secretariat)

Yoti Jabri (Prince George County Economic Development & Tourism) was appointed to the Office of New Americans Advisory Board. (Health and Human Resources secretariat)

VEDA Past President David Manley (Joint IDA of Wythe County) was elected to serve as the Virginia State Director for the Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC) at the organization's recent annual meeting. VEDA member Jen Kostyniuk (Dominion Energy) was elected to serve as the Virginia Alternate Director. New state directors serve terms of 2 years, and alternate directors each serve 1-year terms. All newly elected directors will begin terms on January 1, 2025.

VEDA board member Gizelle Curtis (Dominion Energy) has successfully completed an MBA from the College of William & Mary. Congratulations Gizelle!

Matthew Fields (Buchanan County Economic Development & Tourism) was appointed to the Housing Development Authority. (Commerce and Trade secretariat)

Jordan Tate has moved to a new position with the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Economic Development Team.

Anna Nagorniuk has started a new position as a Planner for the City of Chesapeake.

Local Southern Virginia leaders recently gathered for specialized economic development training at The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research. The event featured Carol Johnson, Founder of Continuous Dialog, renowned for her expertise in the dynamic field of economic development across the United States. The Southern Virginia Regional Alliance (SVRA) hosted this informational training session. Local and regional economic developers joined infrastructure, utility and workforce service providers for a full day workshop on best practices for preparing to market the assets of the region in support of existing and prospective businesses.

IEDC has announced the winners of the 2024 Excellence in Economic Development Awards. Check out the Virginia winners below!

• Henrico Economic Development Authority. Henrico Look Book. Category: Print Brochure. Silver Winner
• Loudoun Virginia Economic Development. FY23 Annual Report. Category: Print Brochure. Bronze Winner.
• Loudoun Virginia Economic Development. Farm Tour Map. Category: Print Promotion. Silver Winner.
• Waynesboro, Virginia. Consultant Mug Mailing. Category: Print Promotion. Bronze Winner.
• Fairfax County Department of Economic Initiatives. Visit Fairfax Multimedia Video Brochure. Category: Multimedia Promotion. Bronze Winner.
• Prince William Economic Development. Crafting a Virginia Legacy. Category: Multimedia Promotion. Silver Winner.
• Goochland County, Virginia. Viewpoint's Discover Goochland County, Virginia. Category: Multimedia Promotion. Bronze Winner.
• Prince William Economic Development. 2023 Annual Report: Make Your Mark. Category: Annual Report. Silver Winner.
• Richmond Virginia Economic Development. Annual Report. Category: Annual Report. Bronze Winner.
• Goochland County, Virginia. Explore Goochland. Category: Paid Advertising Campaign. Silver Winner.
• Fairfax County Department of Economic Initiatives. Visit Fairfax Love Every Mile Media Campaign. Category: Paid Advertising Campaign. Silver Winner.
• Culpeper County, Virginia. Be a Culpeper Local Week. Category: Special Event. Bronze Winner.
• Greater Richmond Partnership. GRP 2024 Economic Development Week Social Media Series. Category: Innovation in Economic Development Week. Silver Winner.
• Culpeper County, Virginia. Choose Culpeper Farms Website. Category: Special Purpose Website. Gold Winner. Best in Show Nominee.
• Goochland County, Virginia. Explore Goochland Website. Category: Special Purpose Website. Bronze Winner.
• Loudoun Virginia Economic Development. Black History Month Social Media Campaign. Category: Digital Media. Gold Winner.
• Arlington, Virginia. Arlington Innovation Fund. Category: Entrepreneurship & Small Business Development. Gold Winner.
• Waynesboro, Virginia. Grow Waynesboro Main & Wayne. Category: Entrepreneurship & Small Business Development. Gold Winner.
• Prince William Economic Development. Calibrate Conference. Category: Entrepreneurship & Small Business Development. Bronze Winner.
• Henrico Economic Development Authority. Regency Mall Makes a Splash. Category: Real Estate Development & Reuse. Gold Winner. Best in Show Nominee.
• Prince William Economic Development. Business Barriers Study & Action Plan. Category: Economic Equity & Inclusion. Bronze Winner.
• Fairfax County Department of Economic Initiatives. Fairfax Founders Fund. Category: Innovative Financing. Silver Winner.
• Henrico Economic Development Authority. Henrico Pop-Up Mentoring Program (PUMP). Category: Innovative Economic Development. Silver Winner.
• Henrico Economic Development Authority. Diving Into a Great Partnership at Regency Mall. Category: Public-Private Partnerships. Gold Winner. Best in Show Nominee.
• Loudoun County Economic Development. Hop On, Hop Off Bus Tour. Category: Best Use of Federal Resources. Bronze Winner.

For more information and to review nomination packages CLICK HERE.

Sign up for a Shared Interest Group

Sign up to be a member of a VEDA Shared Interest Groups (SIGs). VEDA members can join any group at any time during the year. Choose from Business Retention & Expansion; Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion; Downtown Development; Rural; Workforce. If you would rather sign up for a committee that supports the "business" end of the Association, contact the VEDA office!

VEDA's Emerging Leaders SIG

The VEDA Emerging Leaders Shared Interest Group is comprised of VEDA members who are younger than 40 years of age and have less than 10 years of professional economic development experience. To participate in Emerging Leaders activities online or at VEDA events, VEDA members MUST request to join the group and be accepted into the group. Events for Summer and Fall are being planned. Don't delay!

SAVE THE DATE

FOR THE

VIRGINIA CONSULTANTS FORUM

May 5 - 7, 2025

The Watermark Hotel

Tysons, Virginia

VEDA CORPORATE PATRONS FOR 2024

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