December 2023

Merry Christmas from the VGR team!

Friends of the Gateway Region,



The “word of the year” according to Merriam-Webster is “authentic.” Did you know this word is one of the core values of the Gateway Region? Here is how we defined it when we wrote our strategic plan in 2020.

VGR reflects the past with an eye toward the future. Our dedicated hard-working citizens know the value of living here, whether in an urban center or on a large farm. We are a region that takes pride in our history of traditional industries, and we also want to support entrepreneurship, while staying true to our business roots.

As I reflect on 2023, I take pride in all we have accomplished as an authentic region. And we couldn’t do this work without a supportive Board of Directors. I want to specifically thank Judy Lyttle of Surry County and Donald Hunter of Prince George County for their tremendous dedication to VGR over the past several years. Both are retiring from public service and will step down from the Board. Mrs. Lyttle may be the longest-serving advocate for economic development in Surry County history! Mr. Hunter ends his term with the region’s Deal of the Year that you can read about below.



Thank you for your support this year. I wish each of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

PGT Innovations to Create 659 Jobs in Prince George County 

Photo Courtesy of VEDP

VGR welcomed Governor Glenn Youngkin on November 3rd to announce that PGT Innovations, Inc. (NYSE: PGTI), a national leader in the premium window, door, and garage door industry, will invest $54.3 million to establish a new glass manufacturing operation, Triple Diamond Glass™, in the former Rolls-Royce facility at the Crosspointe Logistics Center, owned by SL Industrial Partners, an affiliate of the Silverman Group, in Prince George County. Virginia successfully competed with Arizona for the project, which will create 659 new jobs.

“The creation of Triple Diamond Glass represents a major step forward in our company’s journey,” said Jeff Jackson, President and CEO of PGT Innovations. “Prince George, Virginia offered an ideal blend of proximity to customers, robust infrastructure, and skilled workforce to support this operation and bringing its cutting-edge products to the window and door industry. We greatly appreciate the efforts put forth by the state of Virginia and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, and we are looking forward to contributing to job growth and the economic success of the region.”



VEDP worked with Prince George County and VGR to secure the project for Virginia. 

Five site selection consultants recently spent two days exploring the Gateway Region and Greater Richmond. Their visit included a mouthwatering southern barbecue meal at the historic McIlwaine House in Petersburg, followed by a tour of Civica Rx and the pharmaceutical cluster. We're proud to showcase our region's business potential and opportunities!

Sussex County Profile: A Conversation with David Conmy

We had an enlightening conversation with David Conmy, Deputy County Administrator and Economic Development Director for Sussex County, Virginia! This interview explores the unique strategies that have set Sussex County apart and fueled its economic growth. Check it out on our LinkedIn Page HERE.

Sussex County Leadership Celebrate the

Groundbreaking for Restoration Bioproducts

Congratulations Dinwiddie County for Making VEDA’s Top 10 Deals of 2023

Celebrating the incredible work and diversity of economic development projects in Virginia, the Virginia Economic Developers Association recently revealed their Top 10 Deals of 2023 at their Winter meeting. Dinwiddie County and DroneUp were recognized for their innovative project with Richard Bland College. 

2023 VGR Business

Council Visit to DroneUp

Join Us - VGR Annual Holiday Open House

Thursday, December 14th, 2023

4:00pm - 7:00pm



VGR Office

256 E Ellerslie Ave, Suite D

Colonial Heights, VA 23834

Job Alert!

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research is looking to hire a Coordinator in GO Virginia’s region 4 to assist with the GO TEC project. The new hire will work at CCAM. The complete position description is listed HERE.

More News Headlines from November

• New Sheetz convenience store coming to Dinwiddie County
• Locations for 2024 presidential debates to include an HBCU for the first time
• No surprise: Petersburg's legislative wishes for 2024 Assembly
• Dominion to test another long duration battery, microgrid capability at Virginia State University
• Glass manufacturing operation to create 659 jobs in Prince George
• Filming completed in Surry County for feature on Virginia Reel