History

Started 50 years ago by a small group of area businessmen who had a vision of “attracting business and industry to the Petersburg-Colonial Heights-Hopewell area”, Virginia’s Gateway Region EDO has evolved from a small part-time staff tasked with “hosting the activities of industrial prospects” into a world-class, stand-alone leader in regional economic development.

The Appomattox Basin Industrial Development Corporation (ABIDCO) was formed on April 2, 1960, and for the next 25 years operated as a part-time operation with funding from the localities it served. In 1985, under new leadership that recognized the region’s emerging potential, ABIDCO embarked on its new direction of becoming a more active participant in shaping the future economic climate of the area. The ensuing 25 years brought both challenges and successes as the organization grew into the partnership between public entities and private industry that it is today.

The region is still evolving and Virginia’s Gateway Region is leading the way as we set a course for the next 50 years. Our aim is to make the region a place where global markets become local opportunities and where access is everything.