Over 50 business and community leaders came together in the last half of 2012 and the first half of 2013 to develop a strategic plan for the Virginia's Growth Alliance region. The fruits for that effort will be released to the public on December 5th.

VGA was one of the two multi-county regions in Virginia selected to participate in a national program "Stronger Economies Together" (SET) sponsored by the US Department of Agriculture. The initiative is designed to help regional, multi-county teams develop new approaches to strengthen and enhance regional economic development activities. Virginia Cooperative Extension served as the lead entity, coordinating the involvement of a number of federal, state, and local partners in working with VGA to implement the program. Partners included USDA Rural Development, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, Virginia Tourism Corporation, Virginia Tech Office of Economic Development and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.

VGA invited area residents and civic leaders to join the SET regional team by participating in the multi-session training process. Participants became part of a regional team that received the latest tools, training, and technical assistance to help the region move forward and take advantage of positive growth and quality of life opportunities.

The culmination of these efforts is a strategic economic development plan, Strengthening Our Economy Together "Strategies to Cultivate Growth". The plan recommends a series of strategies related to business attraction and expansion, entrepreneurship development, workforce development and tourism. Specific action plans have been included in the plan to accomplish the goals and objectives in these four areas of focus.

To receive copies of the plan or be notified of developments related to the implementation of the strategies please contact Jeffrey G. Reed, Executive Director, Virginia's Growth Alliance jeff@vagrowth.com | Mobile: 434.265.2382.