Share your thoughts on building a stronger economy for Southwest Virginia

Join one of these economic development listening sessions in the coalfields

In 2022, the Virginia General Assembly set up a task force to make recommendations about how the state can support economic development in the coalfields. To accomplish this, the state Department of Housing and Community Development will be holding a series of meetings with impacted communities and regional stakeholders to identify the necessary programs, resources, and policy changes required to support communities. The task force will report its review to the General Assembly by June 2023.

The task force has announced plans to host its first round of listening sessions. According to the DHCD, “Residents, business owners, and organizational representatives and other stakeholders are encouraged to attend. Each session will follow the same format and be under two hours in length.”

According to DHCD, “The listening sessions will provide the region’s residents and stakeholders an opportunity to share recommendations for the final report. Topics include workforce, infrastructure, housing, sites/businesses and foundations for a strong economy.”

Additionally, the Task Force must review these four topics:

1. the establishment of a downtown revitalization matching fund for communities of less than 2,000 people
2. expansion of the Tobacco Commission’s Talent Attraction Program
3. support for the Southwest Virginia Energy Park, known as the “DELTA Energy Lab” project
4. support for the innovative Energy Storage and Electrification Manufacturing project

With recent news concerning proposed new energy projects, including nuclear, and with federal funds becoming available, now is the time to show up and share your thoughts and concerns about economic development in the region.