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Virginia’s Economic Development Director Visits Region
The new executive director of the Commonwealth's economic development agency kicked off 2006 by getting to know Virginia’s Gateway Region. On January 4, 2006, Jeffrey M. Anderson, Executive Director of Virginia's Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), toured Virginia's Gateway Region and spoke at a luncheon welcoming him to the Region.
After coming on board with the VEDP last fall, Anderson committed himself to marketing Virginia in a collaborative manner, by working with each region to understand their perspective, strategies and targeted industries. During his visit, the Gateway Region team gave Anderson a first hand introduction to the people, places and business alike that make up Virginia’s Gateway Region.
The day began in the board room of the Cameron Foundation in Petersburg, Va., where C. Renee Wyatt, Executive Director of Virginia’s Gateway Region, presented Anderson with an overview of the Region.
“We talked candidly about the Region’s strengths, as well as those areas where we could use additional support from the State,” Wyatt said. “Jeff’s commitment to targeted and proactive economic development aligns perfectly with the Gateway Region’s aggressive marketing strategy, which brings real synergy to our work to bring jobs and investment into our communities.”
Following the initial overview, Anderson took to the road with the Gateway Region team to get a glimpse of industrial parks and emerging developments in the area. The tour concluded at Petersburg’s Union Train Station, where 80 prominent regional leaders gathered for a luncheon to welcome Anderson.
The luncheon, which was jointly sponsored by Woods Rodgers Strategic Solutions and Virginia’s Gateway Region, included remarks from Charles E. Townes, Sr., President of the Gateway Region, and Wyatt. Anderson discussed the role of the VEDP and regional organizations before opening the floor to questions. A representative of Congressman J. Randy Forbes was on hand to formally welcome Anderson to the Region. The program wrapped up with a closing statement from Townes about the future of the Gateway Region, after which guests were able to visit with Anderson and other local officials in attendance.