RICHMOND, Virginia (March 1, 2022) — The Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA) named Sen. Dave Marsden the 2021 Michael W. Woods Legislator of the Year. The award recognizes public officials who support economic and community development and actively engage in public policy efforts that advance prosperity in the Commonwealth.
Sen. Marsden, who represents the 37th district in the Senate of Virginia, is chair of the Economic Development and Natural Resources Subcommittee of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee. He is a leading voice in the Senate for economic competitiveness and was one of a handful of Senate Democrats who spoke out against environmental justice legislation that would have hampered economic development.
Sen. Marsden spoke at the VEDA Winter Meeting regarding the need for site funding and continues to support this issue in 2022. The 37th District is a portion of Fairfax County in Northern Virginia.
“We appreciate the work Senator Marsden has done to advance opportunity across the Commonwealth and are pleased to present him with this accolade,” said VEDA President David Manley (Joint IDA of Wythe County). “With bipartisan cooperation, Virginia can continue its upward trajectory.”
The VEDA Michael W. Woods Legislator of the Year Award Committee coordinates the selection process and ultimate presentation of the Legislator of the Year Award annually.
“Over the past several years, Senator Marsden has emerged as a real champion for economic development issues statewide,” said VEDA Legislator of the Year Committee Co-chair Garrett Hart (Chesterfield Economic Development). “His work on funding and legislation to increase the number of shovel-ready sites, to support rural development, and to ensure Virginia lives up to its incentives commitments, earned him this recognition.”
VEDA’s Michael W. Woods Legislator of the Year Award is named posthumously for longtime legislative liaison Michael J Woods. Sen. Marsden is the first recipient of the award since Woods’ passing in November 2020.
“I am proud to be honored by the Virginia Economic Developers Association as the Michael W. Woods Legislator of the Year,” said Sen. Marsden. “Virginia has ranked as the best state for business two years in a row, a result of long-term investments in education, manufacturing and transportation infrastructure. I would like to thank all of our economic development partners for their contributions in Virginia's continued success."
ABOUT THE VIRGINIA ECONOMIC DEVELOPERS ASSOCIATION
The Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership association for individuals with a professional interest in economic development across the Commonwealth of Virginia. VEDA serves as the voice of economic development in Virginia and was founded in 1982 to increase the effectiveness of individuals involved in the practice of economic development in Virginia by encouraging cooperation, exchange of information, and professional development activities. For more information, visit goveda.org.
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