August 2023

Summer Scene at the Hopewell Riverwalk

Photo Courtesy: City of Hopewell

Friends of the Gateway Region,

Happy Summer! It is vacation season, and our team is taking these hot August weeks to revaluate some of our capabilities. For example, we are updating the official Community Profiles for each of our seven communities. These reports are important to share with prospects when a site is being considered for a new or expanded business. Anyone who has worked with me in economic development knows that I love maps. During the site selection process, decisions often come down to location, location, location. Showing the strategic place of VGR is a major selling point for our region, and it is critical to have the most updated detailed maps at the ready. We are investing the time and energy to make sure we have various versions of regional and community maps.

I am very excited about recent conversations with partners and stakeholders about exploring a life sciences research park “South”. Such a development would further boost our region’s pharmaceutical manufacturing cluster to both attract new companies and talent in the industry. Our team looks forward to pursuing this opportunity in the months ahead. 

VGR Featured in Virginia Business

Check out this feature article titled PharmaVille in the latest issue of Virginia Business Magazine. “A coalition of public and private sector partners is hoping to write a new chapter for Central Virginia — and ultimately the country — in its mission to fight drug shortages and create low-cost medications.” Read the entire article HERE.

VGR's Tom Scott collaborated with industry leaders from Phlow, AMPAC Fine Chemicals, U.S. Pharmacopeia, the Alliance for Building Better Medicine, and Medicines for All Institute, at the United States Pharmacopeia Continuous Manufacturing Workshop in Bethesda, MD last month.

Surry County Hosts Governor Youngkin for 50^th Anniversary

Photo Credit: MARGO WAGNER, RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH

Congratulations to Surry County and Dominion Energy as Virginia's first nuclear power plant celebrated its momentous 50th anniversary this summer. During the anniversary celebration, Governor Youngkin passionately spoke about Virginia's path to powering the nation’s first smal nuclear reactor. Read more HERE.

In Memoriam: J. Peter Clements 

The VGR Board and Team is deeply saddened by the passing of longtime board member Peter Clements. Peter was such a treasured member of our Board, always bringing a positive attitude and asking thoughtful questions. All of us can testify that Peter was a wonderful advocate for our region, and more importantly, a great friend to VGR. Read Peter’s obituary HERE. 

Thank You Investors!

As a 501C3 nonprofit organization, VGR only operates through public and private investments.

Thanks to following Corporate Council investors who helps make VGR successful!

More News Headlines from July

• Dinwiddie County to purchase virtual reality labs
• Innovation Flourishes in Virginia's Richmond Petersburg Corridor
• 5&Dime Trail, make it a day trip or spread it out over a weekend
• Model train show at Keystone Tractor Museum brings smiles
• Petersburg is getting a new luxury hotel with a historic past and a rooftop bar
• The Bulletin: Virginia State University wins EWS $1.6 million in federal HBCU grants for ag research
• The Herd: New hires, promotions & departures for 7.18.23
• Rex Davis Appointed to Transportation Board
• Youngkin shares his vision for nuclear energy at Surry power plant