The purpose of GO Virginia is to “create more higher paying jobs through incentivized collaboration, primarily through out-of-state revenue, which diversifies and strengthens the economy in every region.”

GO Virginia projects accomplish this goal of creating higher paying jobs.

All GO Virginia Projects...

Are in one of Region 6’s priority industry clusters:

  • Aquaculture / Seafood / Commercial Fishing / Marine Industries
  • Forestry / Wood Products / Paper
  • Manufacturing
  • Distribution / Logistics
  • Information / Data Centers
  • Professional, Scientific and Technical Services

In one of the State’s Project Themes:

  • Entrepreneurial Activities
  • Site Development
  • Workforce Development

Have collaboration between two or more localities and at least a 1:1 match for each project.

What are some examples or recommended projects?

Below are the Region 6 recommended areas of project investment determined by the 2019 Growth and Diversification Plan.

Products (Sites and Buildings) Strategies

  • Virginia Business Ready Sites Program – Increase the readiness rating of available business sites
  • Encourage Data Center Certification of Additional Sites
  • Development of Regional Business/Industrial Properties with Cost/Revenue Sharing Agreements
  • Develop additional speculative office buildings

Workforce Development Strategies

  • Realign training and education programs to meet industry requirements
  • Expand “work-based learning programs”
  • Establish formal partnerships between educational institutions and the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative
  • Create occupational career paths for priority industry clusters
  • Expand regional workforce development and technical education centers

Entrepreneurship Strategies

  • Expand youth entrepreneurship programs in K-12 and community colleges
  • Expand the Mary Washington Small Business Development Center programs
  • Expand Innovation Centers throughout the region
  • Expand the financing resources offered by the Rappahannock Economic Development Corporation
  • Create “Opportunity Zone Funds”
  • Conduct Business Plan Competitions
  • Expand “Participating Intermediary Agreements” with research institutions

Business Scale-Up Strategies

  • Expand the utilization of GENEDGE technical assistance
  • Increase VEDP export assistance
  • Develop new product lines in the priority industry clusters

Broadband Infrastructure Strategies

  • Implement PamunkeyNet
  • Expand broadband services through “public private partnerships”

Water Based Economy Strategies

  • Preserve and develop “working waterfronts”
  • Implement the Rural Virginia Coastal Community Enhancement Authority
  • Establish a “Center for Resiliency Innovation” Center
  • Commercialize resiliency products and services across coastal Virginia