From Leader to Innovator: Advancing Virginia Shellfish Aquaculture
This planning initiative will build the foundation for Region 6 to become a national hub for aquaculture innovation by: Assessing industry needs and opportunities through structured engagement with growers, gear manufacturers, researchers, local government officials and policymakers through workshops and one-on-one meetings; Identifying high-impact innovation opportunities in gear design, aquaculture technology, and business models, with a fact-finding trip to Maine; Developing a roadmap for establishing a regional aquaculture innovation ecosystem, including prototyping facilities, collaborative R&D programs; and entrepreneurial support through a consensus-building approach in workshop.
The project will be led by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) in partnership with Old Dominion University (ODU), Virginia Tech (VT), Virginia Sea Grant, regional economic development organizations, and industry representatives.
- Statewide Project Theme: Entrepreneurial Activities
- Region 6 Priority Industry Cluster: Aquaculture/Seafood/Commercial Fishing/Marine Industries
- GO Virginia Request: $81,002.00
- Match: $40,549.00
- Source of Match: Gloucester County; Lancaster County; Northern Neck Planning District Commission; Cappahosic Oyster Co.; Matheson Oyster Co.; Rogue Oyster Co.; Steamboat Wharf Oyster Co.; Lambert Shellfish; Ruby Salts Oyster Co.; Virginia Institute of Marine Science; Virginia Sea Grant and Oyster Seed Holdings
- Project Type: Planning
- Localities: Gloucester County; Lancaster County; Mathews County; Middlesex County; Northumberland County; Richmond County
River to Table – Blue Catfish Processing and Marketing Study
Middlesex County’s Economic Development Authority (EDA) has proposed a study to provide an initial summary of the state of the Blue Catfish industry—including harvesters, processors, and wholesale/retail sales—in the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck regions. The study will outline options, establish priorities, and estimate probable costs for implementing findings and recommendations to promote, support, and expand businesses associated with Blue Catfish.
It will also examine ways to eliminate bottlenecks in the supply chain and identify specific actions that local governments and the private sector can take to increase market entry and support the expansion of harvesting and sales of this species.
In addition, the study will provide an asset map of existing and potential industry-related infrastructure, including ramps/landings, transportation and storage facilities, processing operations (fillets and by-products), manufacturing (non-food uses), and retail, wholesale, and restaurant outlets.
Project Type: Planning
Statewide Project Theme: Startup Ecosystem
Region 6 Priority Industry Cluster: Aquaculture/Seafood/Commercial Fishing/Marine Industries
GO Virginia Request: $99,840.00
Match: $62,590.00
Source of Match: Middlesex County EDA, Essex County EDA, Gloucester County EDA, King George County, Lancaster County, Mathews County EDA
Virginia Tidewater Aquaculture & Maritime Innovation Incubator Program
The Greater Reedville Association (GRA) has embarked on a multi-part approach to renovate Festival Halle, a former school building and now a community center, located in Reedville, VA. The first element is converting a portion of the space into a commercial kitchen to help local waterman bring their products directly into the marketplace and expand into markets outside the region and state. The second element is implementing an incubator program to support small businesses through specialized resources, skill development, financial tools, and market expansion. The first phase of the incubator program will focus on training components to include:
1. Food safety
2. Marketing and branding
3. Human resources and human capital management
4. Small business operations, accounting, and financial management
- Statewide Project Theme: Startup Ecosystem
- Region 6 Priority Industry Cluster: Aquaculture/Seafood/Commercial Fishing/Marine Industries, Agriculture/Controlled Environment Agriculture
- GO Virginia Request: $280,000
- Match: $140,400
- Source of Match: Northumberland County, Lancaster County, Greater Reedville Association, and Omega Protein
- Project Type: Implementation
Economic Impact Analysis for RIVERE Ecological Center and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
The proposed analysis evaluates the economic impact of a 25,000-squarefoot facility that supports entrepreneurship and small business growth. Designed as a coworking space, the center will feature specialized areas, advanced technological infrastructure, and equipment to facilitate research and development focusing on river systems. The RIVERE Ecological Center will stand out as an innovative initiative, leveraging increasing investments and advancements in addressing climate and environmental challenges. There will be two phases of this panning effort: 1) an economic impact analysis and qualitative impact to measure demand for the RIVERE Ecological Center in the next 10 to 20 years for companies to conduct research and share best practices; and 2) the development of the RIVERE Ecological Virtual Center Plan and Digital Platform. The virtual center plan will identify future investor partnerships and to focus on outreach to potential occupants. The virtual center will be a tool for folks to understand how the ecological enter will look once physically built out, incorporating what research companies need in terms of the physical space and equipment. Both plans will inform a multi-phase implementation, emerging first as a virtual space and then as an actual building. The virtual center and digital platform will include work by the project team and steering committee to generate a roadmap for outreach to the local community. The steering committee will consist of local economic developers from Stafford County, the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC), among others.
- Statewide Project Theme: Startup Ecosystem
- Region 6 Priority Industry Cluster: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- GO Virginia Request: $72,100
- Match: $36,050
- Source of Match: Riverlink, Steering Committee Member Time, City of Fredericksburg, Stafford County
- Project Type: Planning/Feasibility Study
The program will launch a ten-week program for six cohorts over two years, serving 120 businesses across Region 6. Each cohort will focus on specific industries or demographic groups that require tailored support, such as minority-owned businesses, tech startups, or companies in the manufacturing sector. This project is a continuation of a previously successful planning grant. Metrics to be achieved from the project include:
- 120 Businesses Served
- 60 Businesses Expanded
- 10 new Businesses Created (Exclusive of the 120 businesses served)
- 40 Jobs Created (FTE jobs count as 1 job and part-time counts as ½ job)
- 30 New Mentors Providing Business Assistance
- $400,000 of total capital raised by businesses served
- Statewide Project Theme: Startup Ecosystem
- Region 6 Priority Industry Cluster: Agriculture/Controlled Environment Agriculture; Distribution and Logistics; Manufacturing; and Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
- GO Virginia Request: $300,000.00
- Match: $155,500
- Source of Match: Stafford Economic Development, Spotsylvania County Economic Development, Fredericksburg Regional Alliance, Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce, Roseanne Thompson, City of Fredericksburg
- Project Type: Implementation
