VIRGINIA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) was created by the Virginia General Assembly to foster expansion of the Commonwealth’s economy by assisting those seeking a prime business location and increased trade opportunities. As a state authority, the Partnership is governed by a 25 member Board of Directors comprised of businesspersons from around Virginia, each of whom is appointed by the Governor and the General Assembly.
The men and women of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership understand the complicated demands of the site selection process and offer years of experience to help make the decision process simpler. And for those businesses located in Virginia, the Partnership provides expansion assistance as well as expert, cost-effective export assistance to open a world of trade opportunities.
VIRGINIA’S INDUSTRIAL ADVANCEMENT ALLIANCE
Virginia’s Industrial Advancement Alliance (VIAA) is the regional economic development organization responsible for marketing sites in its member localities near the confluence of I-81 and I-77 in Southwest Virginia.
The Mount Rogers Development Partnership Inc. was created in 1989 to promote Virginia’s aCorridor as a location for new and expanded business in Bland, Carroll, Grayson, Smyth, Washington and Wythe counties and the cities of Bristol and Galax. The aCorridor consolidates marketing and presents regional demographics, and works with local governments to enhance their economic development programs.
WYTHEVILLE-WYTHE-BLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Wytheville-Wythe-Bland Chamber of Commerce, through its Board of Directors and staff, has been working for the area’s total economic development for the past 70+ years. The eighteen directors representing all sections of Wythe and Bland Counties, and the members serving on the committees give unselfishly of their time to enrich our area. The Joint IDA partners with the Chamber on activities that enhance the local environment for business, including professional development activities, career fairs, and more.
NEW RIVER/MOUNT ROGERS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD (NR/MRWIB)
The Workforce Development Board is a creation of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 was written to address the human needs associated with employment in every region. The Board is made up of business and community leaders so the region’s interests are represented. The WDB is funded wholly or in part by funds provided by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and administered by the U.S. Department of Labor.
The goals of the Workforce Development Board are to:
- Establish Career Pathways as the Primary Model for Regional Collaboration
- Increase Credential Attainment in the Region
- Expand the Region’s Pipeline of Workers for Targeted Industry Sectors
- Strengthen Data and Reporting
Everything the WDB does ensures the region’s businesses and industries have a talent pipeline filled with skilled workers. It is critical that workers be competitive in both today’s and tomorrow’s marketplace, driving the region’s economy, so that all workers can earn a sustainable wage and be self-sufficient.
SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA ALLIANCE FOR MANUFACTURING
The Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing, Inc. is a non-profit organization focused on supporting and strengthening manufacturers in the region. The organization is made up of a group of manufacturers working with educational institutions, workforce development boards, chambers of commerce, and state organizations to promote manufacturing in Southwest Virginia. SVAM’s vision is to unite Southwest Virginia manufacturers and strengthen the position as a world-leading region of advanced manufacturing opportunities.
ADVANCED MANUFACTURING CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
Access to world class training for manufacturing employees is available through the Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing’s Center of Excellence training and testing facility. In 2014, the SVAM Board of Directors embarked on a journey that, at the time, seemed only a dream. Believing that manufacturers knew best what their employment and training needs were, they also believed that SVAM was the best vehicle to design and implement the Southwest Virginia Center of Excellence to be funded by the Virginia Tobacco Commission.
After months of hard work and dedication, their dream came true when the Commission approved the SVAM proposal and provided the first year’s funding at the $2 million level. This initial three-year project will establish a main campus at the Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator in Abingdon, a welding and Fab Lab satellite in Duffield, a welding and mechatronics satellite in Bluefield, an advanced precision machining satellite in Wytheville, and an AWS accredited testing facility. In addition, there will be 7 distance learning sites scattered across southwest Virginia – making this a truly regional approach to advanced manufacturing training. The project will establish three curricula – welding, machining and industrial machinery mechanics – providing state-of-the-art equipment and training and third-party credentialing through AWS, NIMS and Siemens.
VIRGINIA EMPLOYMENT COMMISSION
The Virginia Employment Commission aims to promote economic growth and stability by delivering and coordinating workforce services such as policy development, job placement, temporary income support, workforce information, as well as transition and training services. To accomplish that mission, VEC partners with stakeholders, develops and empowers staff, improves their processes, embraces innovative solutions and technologies, and works to continually renew the organization.
WYTHEVILLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
It is the vision of Wytheville Community College Workforce Development to become the primary resource in the college’s service region for workforce development, skills enhancement, customized training and testing. Working in partnership with employers, economic development, school systems and others, we will provide quality workforce development activities which will result in a well-trained and skilled workforce which meets the needs of today’s employers and tomorrow’s job challenges.
MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY CENTER
The Manufacturing Technology Center is an engineering extension service affiliated with the community colleges of Southwest Virginia, and part of the nationwide NIST-MEP network of government funded engineering extension offices. The MTC is a not for profit organization designed to assist local manufacturers in the 17 counties and 4 cities of Southwest Virginia in the wide range of training and implementation services related to Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Innovation, SPC, Quality Management Systems, Industrial Engineering, Energy Management, Environmental Compliance, and Pollution Prevention.