The Virginia Initiative for Growth and Opportunity in Each Region, known as GO Virginia, is a statewide effort to create more higher-paying jobs throughout Virginia through business-led regional collaboration.
The recently enacted Virginia Growth and Opportunity Act (SB 449/HB 834) established the GO Virginia Board to administer grants for regional economic and workforce development projects. The bill provided for the establishment of regional councils across the Commonwealth, consisting of representatives of business, government, and education. In March, the Board established nine regional councils, including the Mary Ball Washington Regional Council which covers the Fredericksburg area, the Northern Neck, and the Middle Peninsula (Planning Districts 16, 17 and 18). This region includes the Counties of Caroline, Essex, Gloucester, King and Queen, King George, King William, Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex, Northumberland, Richmond, Spotsylvania, Stafford, and Westmoreland and the City of Fredericksburg. The George Washington Regional Commission, Planning District Commission for Planning District 16, is the Support Organization and Fiscal Agent for the Regional Council.
The Mary Ball Washington Regional Council has selected Mangum Economics to develop an Economic Growth and Diversification Plan. Once the plan is finalized and approved by the GO Virginia Board, collaborative projects that enhance private-sector growth, competitiveness, and workforce development will be eligible for funding. The Regional Council will use the final plan to identify economic opportunities, needs, and challenges; establish priorities among those opportunities; and outline needed enhancements where GO Virginia grant funds can support projects spanning two or more localities leading to the creation of more higher-paying jobs. The GO Virginia Board will award funding to collaborative projects that are recommended for funding by the Regional Council.
Mangum Economics will host five public meetings to solicit input from attendees on their perceptions of the economic needs, opportunities, and challenges facing the region.
These five meetings will be held and the following times and locations:
June 28: 2-4 PM
Rappahannock Community College
Glenns Campus 12745 College DrGlenns, VA 23149
June 28: 7-9 PM
Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission
125 Bowden St.
Saluda, VA 23149
June 29: 2-4 PM
Bowling Green
Town Hall
117 Butler St
Bowling Green, VA
22427
June 29: 7-9 PM
George Washington Regional Commission 406 Princess Anne St
Fredericksburg, VA
22401
July 17: 3-5 PM
The Transportation Building
73 Monument Pl
Heathsville, VA
22473
