March 2026

First Response Rail Service in Greensville County

Friends of the Gateway Region,



A decade ago, state business rankings often centered on low costs and “business-friendly” branding. Today, the conversation has shifted. A recent Area Development report makes it clear that preparedness and execution are keys to competitiveness.

As the report notes, “States that are winning today are those with development-ready sites, transparent permitting pathways, reliable energy infrastructure, and customizable workforce programs that align closely with private sector timelines.”

In other words: land, labor, logistics – and leadership.

Here in Virginia’s Gateway Region, we have space to build. We have state and local leaders eager to implement streamlined, predictable permitting processes. We have built out energy, water and transportation infrastructure, so our sites are near-turnkey for investors. We collaborate with educational partners in designing programs that prepare local residents not just for today’s jobs but tomorrow’s careers.

That matters because companies need confidence that when they choose a location, they can move forward with minimal friction. That level of readiness differentiates regions not just within Virginia, but nationally and globally.

Underpinning all of this is leadership. The alignment among our local governments, utilities, workforce partners and state allies ensures that when one community wins, the benefits ripple across the entire region. Success builds momentum. Momentum attracts the next opportunity. That is why we are on the road, marketing our sites and telling our story — because we are ready to deliver.

Finally, this issue also marks a transition for our team. While it is a bittersweet moment for VGR, we congratulate Tom Scott on an exciting new chapter as he prepares to lead the Fredericksburg Regional Alliance. We thank Tom for the countless miles he invested across the country – and around the globe – promoting the opportunities available in Virginia’s Gateway Region. His leadership has strengthened our foundation, and we wish him every success in his work ahead.



Keith Boswell

President & CEO

Amy Everett represented VGR at the SelectUSA Building Bridges to the USA roadshow in the Netherlands and Belgium, alongside Caitlin Champion with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and Dominique DeBose with Virginia Beach Economic Development. Through SelectUSA, a U.S. Department of Commerce program, international companies considering expansion into the United States connect directly with state and regional economic development leaders to evaluate the best location for investment.

Virginia’s Gateway Region spent time with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership to share a focused look at opportunity in the Dinwiddie and Sussex County. Stacey English emphasized Dinwiddie's preparedness and capacity, while David Conmy highlighted Dinwiddie’s forward momentum: agriculture and mineral resources, the Sussex Green Enterprise Park, and strategic Business Ready Sites.

Exploring Next-Generation Agriculture for Region

Controlled Environment Agriculture is rapidly reshaping how and where food is grown, and VGR is part of the conversation. At Indoor Ag-Con in Las Vegas, our Tom Scott joined partners from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and Virginia State University to explore opportunities in ag-tech, automation and year-round crop production.

Getting Insights on Virginia’s Incentives Process for Companies

VGR hosted its bimonthly community operations meeting at the Keystone Antique Tractor Museum, bringing together local partners for learning and updates.The session featured a presentation from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership's Incentives team, providing a clear and comprehensive overview of Virginia’s incentives process for companies. We appreciate the expertise and insights shared by Aileen Martz, director, (center) and Marilu DeSimone, manager, whose leadership helps communities across the Gateway Region stay prepared, competitive and aligned in supporting economic growth.

Joining with Fort Lee to Build Public-Private Partnerships

In late January, the U.S. Army Fort Lee leadership team, joined by VGR, met with Michelle K. Donahue, Army Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4, and Jordan Gillis, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment. The meeting centered on public-private partnerships and the role of commercial data centers - an important step in advancing the Defense Community Enclave and reinforcing collaboration between the Army, industry and regional partners. The visit also included a tour of the Pentagon.

Board Gathers for February Meeting 

The full board for Virginia’s Gateway Region met on Feb. 5 at the Bon Secours Southside College of Health Sciences in Colonial Heights. We are grateful for a board that is active and dedicated to the region.

More News Headlines from February

• Kenneth Alexander Named Interim President of Richard Bland College
• Working Together
• Boar's Head reopens Virginia deli meat plant
• Here's a way to use the data center boom to build a new economy in some communities
• Hopewell’s first coworking space opens in downtown area
• Live! Petersburg generates $4.7 million in revenues within first 10 days
• Sumitumo Corporation of Americas takes strategic stake in Independence Hydrogen to accelerate hydrogen production and distribution growth
• 40 Under Forty (Will Clements, VGR Board Member)