Rural roots.
Big ideas.
InvestSWVA is a public-private business attraction and marketing campaign for Southwest Virginia launched under the umbrella of the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission and backed by private industry.
Economic sustainability
InvestSWVA has laid out a roadmap for economic sustainability — a vision for the region that builds on its strengths in which Southwest Virginia can be a:
Home to high-tech companies looking to grow,
Location of choice for data centers,
Hotbed for energy innovation,
Strategic location for advanced manufacturing and
Significant player in the craft beverage industry.
Future of work
InvestSWVA is committed to pushing big ideas and the “future of work” in Southwest Virginia — attracting and retaining young talent by focusing on high-tech and higher-wage jobs. The team has a strategic partnership with the Northern Virginia Technology Council and the Southwest Virginia Energy Research and Development Authority.
Strategic location
InvestSWVA’s focus spans the entire GO Virginia Region One footprint in Southwest Virginia, including the cities of Bristol, Galax and Norton as well as the counties of Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Grayson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise and Wythe. This region is a strategic location for business expansion and entrepreneurs.
High-powered leadership
InvestSWVA has a unique leadership structure with Southwest Virginia legislators — Senator Ben Chafin, Delegate Terry Kilgore, Delegate Israel O’Quinn and Senator Todd Pillion — serving as co-chairs, determining strategic direction as well as leveraging their relationships to drive business recruitment efforts.
Relationships matter
Coalfield Strategies, LLC and its strategic advisor, the Global Economic Development practice at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, are leading an aggressive on-the-ground operation to drive new business investment into Southwest Virginia. This includes pursuing “big idea” projects in additon to traditional lead generation strategies.
Leading disruption
InvestSWVA offers a new economic development model focused on disruption with a vision that builds on the region’s strategic advantages and sets a course for Southwest Virginia to redefine itself. Private industry partners like Point Broadband, Appalachian Power and Dominion Energy as well as experts in the public sector like the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy play a key role in driving prospect development efforts.
Strategic advantages
Southwest Virginia offers a number of strategic advantages over other regions, including:
An unmatched quality of life;
High-performing K-12 schools, 4 community colleges and public and private 4-year institutions;
Cheaper real estate, including the use of brownfields and previously-mined properties;
A lower cost of living and
Significant grant funds available to pair with private dollars in order to secure investment.
Prospect focused
The InvestSWVA team has a prospect-focused mindset with a goal of reducing bureaucracy and turf wars for the benefit of businesses considering investment in the region. Our team leverages its relationships locally and around Virginia as well as our partners in education, economic development and government to support a prospect’s due diligence.
Contact
Will Payne, Managing Partner
Coalfield Strategies, LLC
Director, InvestSWVA
Email