When we think about coconuts in America, we probably think about coconut desserts and the new fad of using coconut oil in our diets as well as our beauty products. However, the use of the coconut goes far beyond our fads. Prior to working at the Virginia Tech Office of Economic Development (OED), I volunteered…
The Institute for Policy and Governance (IPG) is restructuring its existing Community Voices, Trustees Without Borders, Community Change Journal and community-based research programs into one overarching initiative, which will now be called the Community Change Collaborative (CCC). While still an evolving concept, CCC aims to unite theory and praxis through projects, research, education, and forums…
When many of us think about our nation’s large and robust transportation and warehousing sector, we think of large trucks on the highway, delivery confirmations on Amazon packages that couldn’t get here soon enough, and the mirage of a locomotive hurling down a narrow track. What many of us don’t consider is how vital this…
Two weeks ago the Vibrant Virginia team in conjunction with the Office of Economic Development held their first Quarterly Engagement meeting. This meeting brought together Virginia Tech faculty and staff with external partners from throughout the regional community to learn more about engagement projects faculty and staff are working on. Participants learned about past and current…