Virginia's Gateway Region

04/29/2026

What does sustainability look like in Virginia’s forestry industry? 🌲

An episode of VPM's “Life in the Heart Land” highlights a powerful reality: For every tree harvested, two are planted, ensuring this industry continues for generations.

Brunswick County, part of our Gateway Region, is at the heart of it as Virginia's leader in lumber production. “What we have are trees. And trees. And then those trees have more trees,” said Alfreda Jarrett Reynolds, Director of Economic Development.

It’s a $21 billion industry rooted in stewardship, growth and opportunity, with roots deep in our corner of Virginia.

Watch now: https://www.pbs.org/video/trees-2zjudf/

Explore the balance of cultivating healthy forests and using trees for timber.

04/28/2026

As America marks 250 years, Virginia’s Gateway Region is focused on building what comes next: opportunity powered by skilled talent.

During National Apprenticeship Week 2026, we’re celebrating the industries that drive our region – from advanced manufacturing and distribution to energy and forestry/wood products, to name just a few – and the hands-on careers that keep them moving forward.

Registered Apprenticeships are creating real pathways into these high-demand, high-wage fields – helping individuals build careers and strengthening our regional economy.

04/24/2026

VGR’s Alex Wood was in Washington, D.C. earlier this week for Data Center World 2026 ( ) – one of the industry’s premier gatherings focused on digital infrastructure, energy and next-gen tech.

With thousands of professionals and hundreds of solution providers exploring everything from AI-ready infrastructure to power and sustainability, the message is clear: The future of economic growth is increasingly tied to data center readiness.

Virginia’s Gateway Region is positioned to meet that demand, with infrastructure, sites and workforce aligned to support this fast-growing sector.

04/23/2026

VGR’s Alex Wood joined Yoti Jabri of Prince George County, Va. last week for in Atlanta – one of the premier gatherings for supply chain, manufacturing and distribution innovation.

From automation to advanced logistics solutions, the conversations and connections at MODEX reinforce what we already know: Ready regions – with sites, infrastructure and workforce – are the ones positioned to thrive.

Virginia’s Gateway Region is built for exactly that.

04/21/2026

Virginia’s Gateway Region has welcomed Tom Stansbury as Entrepreneur in Residence, a key step in strengthening our commitment to small business growth and innovation across the region.

With experience spanning more than 20 startups, Stansbury will support entrepreneurs at every stage — helping turn ideas into viable businesses through a proven, people-first approach rooted in passion, market demand and sustainability.

This is how we build from the ground up: empowering local talent, supporting startups and creating pathways for long-term economic growth.

Read more: https://ow.ly/9UZf50YNqRy

04/16/2026

Virginia’s biopharma momentum didn’t happen overnight: The Gateway Region helped lay the foundation.

The latest issue of Virginia Economic Review from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership highlights the Commonwealth’s surge in pharmaceutical manufacturing – including Phlow Corp. in and workforce training at Brightpoint Community College.

From early investments to workforce alignment, our region helped set the stage for growth across Virginia – and we’re just getting started.

Read the issue:
https://ow.ly/h2vT50YIsIX

Highlights from the Issue Highlights from the Issue Regional Spotlight Past Issues First Quarter 2026 Virginia meets the life sciences moment A look into the Commonwealth’s recent streak of high-profile biopharma manufacturing announcements This issue of Virginia Economic Review goes in depth on V...

04/15/2026

Strong regions are built on strong partnerships – and open conversations.

Thank you to Cedric Green and Joe Woomer from Dominion Energy for joining Virginia’s Gateway Region at The Hotel Petersburg for a community roundtable last week. Together, we shared updates, discussed key energy projects and heard directly from local leaders on the infrastructure needs shaping our future.

Reliable, forward-looking energy solutions are critical to supporting growth across the Gateway Region – and conversations like these help ensure we’re aligned to meet the moment.

04/14/2026

Big things are moving in Virginia’s Gateway Region.

From a packed Annual Meeting to continued momentum in workforce, investment, and regional collaboration – April’s Gateway Connector shows how we’re building what’s next.

See what’s driving progress:
https://ow.ly/1Z9550YIrZ6

04/10/2026

Strong communities are built from the ground up, and we’re proud to share local outreach like this.

Set for May 1, the Building of the Kingdom Workshop is a free, half-day event focused on stewardship, strategy and creating spaces where congregations can thrive.

🔗 Learn more & register: https://ow.ly/RuYt50YFTTR

04/09/2026

Out in Portland last week for the International Mass Timber Conference, where conversations around innovation in wood and forestry shape the future of construction and more. 🌲

Simon Chapman of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and VGR's David Leonard connected with businesses about why our state and region continue to stand out.

Virginia sits in the Southeastern U.S. “wood basket,” producing 60% of the nation’s harvested timber and supporting a $21 billion industry. Beyond lumber, forestry products power paper, furniture manufacturing and even bourbon barrel production.

That legacy runs deep. Virginia’s forestry economy traces back more than 400 years, when lumber was exported to England.

Today, the Gateway Region builds on that foundation with infrastructure to support growth: rail access, proximity to Interstates 95 and 85, and Route 460 providing a direct connection to the Port of Virginia. It’s a powerful combination of natural assets and modern logistics positioning our region for continued expansion in mass timber and advanced manufacturing.

04/07/2026

Proposed changes in Richmond could reshape how Virginia competes for data center investment.

In a new commentary published in Cardinal News, VGR President & CEO Keith Boswell joined economic development leaders statewide to raise concerns about legislation that could roll back or limit key incentive programs tied to data centers.

The message is clear: Virginia’s success has been built on consistency and trust. Changing the rules midstream risks sending the wrong signal — not just to data center companies, but to any business considering investment here. As more communities across the Commonwealth prepare sites, infrastructure and workforce pipelines, it’s critical they have a fair shot at these opportunities.

Read more: https://ow.ly/Vx6t50YEGXK

Boswell also addressed the issue in a recent Richmond Times-Dispatch article: https://ow.ly/2uGm50YEGXL

Thanks to co-authors: Garrett Hart, Chesterfield County Virginia Government and Virginia Economic Developers Association; Linda Green, Southern Virginia Regional Alliance; David Manley, Wythe County VA; and Kyle Rosner, Botetourt County.

If localities that once embraced data center investment now want to move in another direction, that is absolutely their right. But it would be unwise for the commonwealth of Virginia to pull up the…