The evolving connections between research institutions like Virginia Tech and regional economic development organizations like the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) are essential partnerships needed to make informed decision about the ever-changing economy due to their unique research abilities. VCEDA is an organization which helps bring more jobs to the Southwest Workforce Development…
A community’s downtown is the face it presents to the world. It is a reflection of community’s image, pride, and prosperity. It is also regarded as the historic core of the community. A vibrant downtown—or the lack of one—affects the community’s ability to attract and retain residents, businesses and institutions, jobs, and investments that enable…
Yesterday, the Virginia Tech Office of Economic Development was invited to attend Goodwill Industries of the Valleys annual giving breakfast, and I was lucky enough to attend. Goodwill provides the community a variety of services from their donation centers and stores to their work and training services to provide people with the training they need…
In small towns economic diversification and revitalization is a challenging non-linear process. Due to losing their primary economic base (e.g. extractive industries, agriculture, manufacturing, etc.), many rural communities in Appalachia are confronting their youth leaving home never to return while others are seeing a large non-labor force enter the region, retirees. This shift has exacerbated…
The risks and rewards of automation have been a major element in a year-long studio course I am taking this semester. While technology has the capability to mitigate global warming, lengthen and improve our lives, and enable the global south to participate in the ever-expanding world economy, there are several implications that keep me up…
Oh Southwest Virginia, who wouldn’t want to visit such a beautiful, mountainous area and be a part of this special place? The wealth of beauty and history in Appalachia has created an identity held dear by its people. It is a place of refuge, openness, and exploration that may retain current residents and attract newcomers…