Economic growth that is done in an intentional and healthy way is critical for the overall long-term health of our communities. I have volunteered time to the
Shenandoah Valley Partnership for over a decade to help our local business community thrive. This organization brings together local government, businesses, and educational institutions to help grow our community. Often the first stop for businesses looking to locate in an area with an outstanding quality of life, like the Shenandoah Valley,
SVP is a key resource for our future. In order to attract the high paying jobs that will keep our communities healthy, we need the work being done by Jay Langston and his team. They travel the country telling our story, build out resources that local government can use to attract potential new businesses, and find resources to help existing businesses thrive.
This past week I attended a construction industry round-table where a large group of local leaders discussed challenges and opportunities ahead. SVP was the catalyst for bringing this conversation together and allowed the experts in the industry to meet and talk about the future of the valley. Also last week I was able to attend a discussion about the energy industry in the valley. Dr. Jonathan Miles from James Madison University was able to talk about clean energy options that are affordable, reliable, and available now for industry. The panel discussed the need for long-range innovative planning and thought as they strive for a resilient energy grid. As we look at the severity of storms that now come up the coast and have hit communities just south of us, it is good to have these conversations in advance of having to respond to an emergency.
