The number of unemployment insurance claims in Virginia has soared at a record pace amid COVID-19. Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) reported a total of 565,979 initial unemployment claims in the most recent six weeks, ending April 25th.[1] According to the VEC, initial claims peaked during the April 4th filing week, although additional claims continue to…
MITRE Program to Fund Four Virginia Tech Research Projects
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MITRE works across government and in partnership with industry to tackle challenges to the safety, stability, and well-being of our nation. Headquartered in McLean, VA and Bedford, MA, MITRE manages seven federally funded research and development centers. MITRE strives to augment internal staff capabilities with academia’s creative ideas and resources to deliver innovative solutions to…
Vibrant Virginia Initiative Marks Accomplishments Of Past Two Years in Recent Report
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For two years, the Vibrant Virginia initiative has brought together university faculty, researchers, and community stakeholders to further economic development in urban and rural Virginia. The program, which began in 2018, works to grow a network of Virginia researchers and practitioners, enhance university projects and initiatives related to Virginia and urban-rural regional concerns, and strengthen…
Disparate Impact of COVID-19 Across Virginia
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While COVID-19 is shaking the entire economy across the country, some regions might experience more severe symptoms than others. Knowing which places are likely to be hit the hardest can ensure a better response for recovery in this crucial time. To illustrate the different impacts of COVID-19 on local economies in Virginia, the Virginia Tech…
Open For Business…At A Distance
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Last week, we finished moving our team into all-remote at work. A small portion of that move has involved taking up inside projects (e.g. administrative, writing) that were perhaps stuck on the back burner. However, most of what’s keeping us busy right now are more than a dozen externally facing projects and initiatives. Some timelines…
Virginia Tech Researchers Team up with NRV Drug Courts to Address Opioid Epidemic
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Starting this spring, Virginia Tech’s Office of Economic Development will be working with the Virginia Tech Institute for Policy and Governance (IPG) and the Virginia Tech Center for Public Health Practice & Research (CPHPR) to examine the impacts of drug courts in the New River Valley. Researchers will study four adult drug treatment courts in…