GO Virginia State Board Holds Retreat with Regional Council Leadership and Staff

October 1, 2024

The GO Virginia State Board along with staff from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) held the 2nd annual retreat for Regional Council leadership and support organization staff at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in Danville, VA. The retreat convened all 9 GO Virginia regions with State Board members to discuss successes of the program, and to look towards the future of “GO Virginia 2.0.”

Governor Glenn Youngkin spoke on Virginia’s Economic Development Priorities and how GO Virginia projects can help the Commonwealth achieve these goals through collaboration and partnership. Panelists included the Virginia Economic Development Partnership sector leads from Knowledge Work, Manufacturing, and Transportation/Logistics; representatives from Southside Virginia economic development organizations; and three Regional Council Chairs.

Shara Gibson, Program Manager for GO Virginia at DHCD, presented updated data on projects funded and metrics achieved since the creation of GO Virginia. There was also a focus on Program Performance and looking forward to GO Virginia 2.0. Some of the changes recommended from the JLARC study completed in 2023 have already taken place, such as project match being reduced to 2:1 from 1:1 and the inclusion of Healthcare as an allowable industry for project funding.

Each of the Nine GO Virginia Regions were able to showcase impactful projects at the Game Changer Reception on the first night of the retreat. Region 6 had representation from the Virginia Sea Grant’s “Launching a Coastal Resilience and Adaptation Economy” and the Virginia Tech Center for Economic and Community Engagement’s “Promoting Careers in Aquaculture 2.0” projects.

To learn more about the GO Virginia State Board and its membership, visit the DHCD website.