GO Virginia Region 8 recently wrapped up a series of four Project Pipeline Brainstorming Sessions. Community members, employers, chamber representatives, economic developers, industry leaders, and other regional stakeholders came together to identify local needs, propose project ideas, and collaborate on solutions within GO Virginia’s key focus areas: startup ecosystems, cluster scale-up, workforce development, and site/infrastructure development. The sessions, held at Laurel Ridge Community College, the Shentel Center, the VA Innovation Accelerator, and the Shenandoah Valley Partnership office explored the GO Virginia grant process and upcoming funding opportunities while brainstorming potential projects that may be eligible for GO Virginia funding.

GO Virginia is a statewide business-led economic development initiative with funding to invest in collaborative projects that lead to high-paying jobs. The mission of GO Virginia is to encourage collaboration among business, education, and government. GO Virginia Region 8, one of nine regions in Virginia, includes the CSPDC’s ten cities and counties plus another 6 localities to the north.