Newport News, Virginia (April 3, 2025) — The Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA) awarded its 2025 Community Economic Development Awards (CEDA) to six communities across the Commonwealth, honoring initiatives that advance economic viability through economic and community development programs.
The annual CEDA program recognizes best practices and exceptional contributions for the following efforts: business retention and expansion, business recruitment, community development and community involvement.
The winning recipients received their awards during VEDA’s 2025 Spring Conference at the Newport News Marriott at City Center in Newport News, VA.
This year’s CEDA honorees included Highland County, South Boston, the City of Hopewell, Shenandoah County, Henrico County and the City of Charlottesville (honorable mention).
Entries into the awards program are judged on innovativeness, transferability, community commitment and overall benefits derived from each.
VEDA plans to submit the winning entries to the Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC) for consideration under its award program taking place later this year.
“The CEDA Awards celebrate the power of innovative thinking and collaboration in driving economic growth across Virginia’s communities,” said Rebekah Castle, Director of Economic Development & Marketing in Augusta County and Chair of the CEDA committee. “Each of this year’s honorees has demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering business success, workforce development, and community engagement in ways that are both creative and impactful. Their efforts set a high standard for economic development across the Commonwealth.”
Learn more about the winning projects below.
Make Your Move
Thanks to funding from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, the Highland Community Development Initiative was able to create and launch a resident attraction campaign and contest in the summer of 2024. The “Make Your Move” Targeted Marketing Relocation Campaign and Weekend Getaway Contest helped build a sense of community and pride amongst Highland County residents while putting Highland County in front of more than 800 prospective residents.
South Boston Keep Entrepreneurs Program (SoBo KEP)
South Boston Keep Entrepreneurs Program (SoBo KEP) is a value-added grant program to help bridge the gap for these entrepreneurs and allowed Destination Downtown South Boston (DDSB) to reinvigorate its pre-pandemic momentum. Over the course of the one-year initiative, 21 businesses were assisted, 15 downtown businesses received targeted grant support, 20 jobs were retained in Downtown South Boston, three new jobs were created in Downtown South Boston, and four facades were improved.
Made in Hopewell
The Hopewell Downtown Partnership (HDP), a Main Street 501c3 organization, in collaboration with the City of Hopewell, a designated Virginia Main Street community, recognized the opportunity to leverage the city’s industrial strengths to benefit the downtown area and community. The “Made in Hopewell” initiative has significantly advanced the goal of strengthening the local manufacturing sector, supporting small businesses, and establishing a vibrant, sustainable economic future for Downtown Hopewell.
Noah Shenandoah
Economic developers often face challenges connecting with local businesses and building trust as well as educating the public on what practitioners do since many efforts are handled behind the scenes. Shenandoah County is addressing the challenge with “Noah Shenandoah,” a video series managed by the economic development team that opens the door for connecting with numerous businesses that had previously not engaged. They served as a means for gathering testimonials on the benefits of doing business in the county.
Henrico Small Business Boost
Henrico Small Business Boost (Boost) is the product of the partnership between the Henrico EDA and local online publication, the Henrico Citizen. With EDA funding, Boost provides small businesses in Henrico the opportunity to receive complimentary, three-month, advertising packages. Nearly 90% of Boost participants were pleased with the program, with most gaining between one and 25 new customers as a direct result of Boost. Due to its success, Boost was expanded to double the number of program participants for the next cycle.
GO Cook
GO Cook is an intensive six-week workforce training program designed to equip students with the skills needed for entry-level careers in the culinary field and give them the opportunity to earn industry-recognized credentials. The program is a public-private collaboration between the City of Charlottesville’s Office of Economic Development (OED) and training provider Culinary Concepts AB, LLC (CCAB). Since its launch in 2018, 19 cohorts—comprising 99 graduates—have successfully completed the program, with the support of over 60 employer partners. While the program is open to all, priority is given to individuals with low incomes or barriers to employment, such as a history of incarceration.
Back Row: Drew Dayberry, DHCD; Landdis Hollifield, Economic Development Authority of Highland County; John Fogle, Shenandoah County Tourism & Economic Development; Matthew Candland, Town of South Boston; Gregory Hitchin, City of Waynesboro Economic Development & Tourism. Front Row: Matt Johnson, City of Charlottesville Economic Development; Kyle Meyer, Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development; Betty Mitchell, Economic Development Authority of Highland County; Linda McArdle, Henrico County Economic Development Authority; Jenna French, Shenandoah County Tourism & Economic Development; Rebekah Castle, Augusta County Economic Development & Tourism.