GO VIRGINIA

GO Virginia supports programs to create more high-paying jobs through incentivized collaboration between business, education, and government to diversify and strengthen the economy in every region of the Commonwealth.

The initiative creates change by focusing on these main points:

  • Virginia urgently needs strong private-sector growth. Federal cutbacks have exposed our over-dependence on public-sector jobs. Virginia needs strong private-sector growth and job creation.
  • Growth in Virginia’s diverse regions requires collaboration. To grow and diversify our economy, business, education, and government must collaborate effectively in each region.
  • State government must be a catalyst and partner. State government must provide incentives for strategic, job-focused collaboration in each region of the Commonwealth.

ABOUT GO VIRGINIA

 

ABOUT GO VIRGINIA

The Virginia Growth and Opportunity Board and Fund were approved by the 2016 Virginia General Assembly and are a business-led, bipartisan initiative that is incentivized and encouraged by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Nine regions were established and each region formed councils that were certified by the Board in March 2017. The Virginia Growth and Opportunity Board is comprised of 24 members with representation from the House and Senate, Gubernatorial appointments, and private sector leadership. In addition to approving GO Virginia regions and certifying regional councils, the Board is responsible for determining project funding.

 

 

In March, 2017, a regional council composed of members originating from a mix of large and small business, higher and K-12 education, elected officials, local government, and economic and workforce development entities, was created in the Shenandoah Valley and approved by the state as part of GO Virginia. Known as the GO Virginia Region 8 Shenandoah Valley Council, the group was originally organized with support from the Shenandoah Valley Partnership (SVP), Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC), Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission (NSVRC), Shenandoah Valley Workforce Development Board, and a group of private sector leaders from throughout the region. The NSVRC, CSPDC and SVP now share organizational and administrative responsibilities in support of the GO Virginia mission to generate private sector growth and job opportunities within the region by encouraging the creation of new, high-paying jobs through collaboration among business, education, and local government.

 

These are the 5 targeted industry clusters that GO-VIrginia associates with, those being Financial Business Services, Health care, IT communications, Light manufacturing and Transportation and logistics

 

GO VIRGINIA REGION 8 COUNCIL MEETINGS

Upcoming Council Meetings 

  • Tuesday, August 28, 2018 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM | Location: Lord Fairfax Community College
  • Monday, October 22, 2018 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM | Location: Virginia Military Institute, Center for Leadership and Ethics, Marshall Hall, 500 Anderson Drive, Lexington, 24450

Previous Council Meetings

 

GO VIRGINIA REGION 8 COUNCIL ACCEPTING PROJECT PROPOSALS

The GO Virginia Region 8 Council is pleased to announce that it is accepting proposals for projects to be funded through the State’s GO Virginia initiative.

The Region 8 Council has approximately $1 million in per capita GO Virginia funds to award to projects in the region. In addition, over $12 million in competitive statewide GO Virginia funds is available for projects.

The upcoming application deadlines are August 3, 2018 and October 5, 2018.

Successful projects will address one or more of the region’s five targeted industry sectors and one or more of the
region’s framework initiatives developed around the following broad areas:

  • Recruit and/or retain the talent needed in the region.
  • Grow existing businesses, develop existing clusters and scale-up small and mid-size companies.
  • Establish start-ups from commercializing university-based research and supporting entrepreneurs.
  • Support potential joint economic development activities such as site development and training initiatives.

Projects supported by GO Virginia funding must:

  • Involve private sector employment that pays an annual wage greater than $41,000.
  • Include the collaboration of two or more localities.
  • Commit non-state sources of matching funds (50/50).
  • Generate new spending to the Shenandoah Valley (not just recirculating local spending).


To submit a proposal:

For a project to be considered by the Region 8 Council, complete this application.

Use this link, to access the application that offers background on GO Virginia and the Region 8 Council, provides the criteria for eligible projects, and outlines the application and award process.

For further information about GO Virginia Region 8’s project priorities, please refer to the full Region 8 Growth & Diversification Plan found here.

Additional information about GO Virginia also is available at the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) website here.

 

 

GO VIRGINIA REGION 8 COUNCIL MEMBERS

 

Name Affiliation Sector Represented
Jon Alger James Madison University  Higher Education
Devon Anders InterChange Group Large Business & Civic/Community Leader
Stacy Barrett Barrett Machine, Inc. Small Business
Kathlynn Brown SRI International Non-Profit
Greg Campbell Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport Large Business
Robin Crowder Retired K-12 Superintendent K-12 Education
John Downey Blue Ridge Community College Higher Education
Joanie Eiland Elk Trucking, Inc. Small Business
Tracy Fitzsimmons Shenandoah University Higher Education
Frank Friedman CornerStone Bank & City of Lexington Mayor Regional Planning Entity & Local Government
Mike Goertzen Serco, Inc. Large Business
Conrad Helsley NSVRC Board Local Government
John King Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative Large Business
Chris Kyle Shentel Large Business
Connie Loughhead Des Champs Technologies Small Business
Keith May Cottonwood Commercial Large Business & Civic/Community Leader
Jill McGlaughlin Classic Kitchen & Bath Small Business & Civic/Community Leader
Mark Merrill Valley Health System Large Business
Kathy Moore Moore Public Relations Small Business
 John Neff  Retired – Nielsen Builders Large Business & Civic/Community Leader
George Pace Shenandoah Valley Angel Investors Large Business & Civic/Community Leader
J.J. Smith Valley Proteins Large Business & Civic/Community Leader
Jeff Stapel Shickel Corporation Workforce Development
Robin Sullenberger Highland County Economic Development Economic Development
Rick Till O’Sullivan Films Large Business
Judith Trumbo Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community Non-Profit

 

 

 

 

 

 

GO VIRGINIA REGION 8 RESOURCES

GO Virginia Region 8 Letter of Intent
GO Virginia Region 8 Growth & Diversification Plan Infographic Overview
GO Virginia Region 8 Project Application Process Infographic Overview

Region 8 Growth & Diversification Plan Documents: