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Innovation Corridor Strategic Roadmap

Roadmap for Innovative Growth

Momentum is growing in Central Virginia to build upon recent innovation-driven, technology-based public and private sector investments in biotech, digital technologies, and national security. A group of strategic partners has commissioned the Innovation Corridor Strategy Roadmap study by TEConomy Partners to develop a shared vision for the region to fully realize the economic potential of powerful assets in research, workforce, sites, and infrastructure.  This resource will support local government to plan their communities’ futures, bolster efforts to attract businesses, create new jobs and fortify local economic competitiveness. To learn more, click here to view the project summary.

Goals

Funded in part by GO Virginia Region 9, the Innovation Corridor Strategic Roadmap seeks to:

  • Identify our region’s competitive advantages in life sciences/biotech and digital/IT (data science, AI, autonomy, advanced materials, cybersecurity, etc.) with commercial and national security applications;
  • Gain a line-of-sight to economic growth opportunities; and
  • Create a strategic roadmap with actionable steps for economic growth.

News

Innovation Assets

Biotechnology
  • The University of Virginia’s Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology aims to research, create and implement innovative health care solutions as quickly as possible.
  • The newly launched Commonwealth BioAccelerator will support the region’s most promising biotech ventures.
  • CvilleBioHub is developing a talent program, BioBridge, to provide training and educational programs, growing the local workforce and ensuring the future of this research.
Digital Technology
  • The University of Virginia’s School of Data Science, which focuses on analytics, systems, design, and data and society, promotes practical applicatinos in Government and Democracy, Society and Culture, Health and Medicine, Environmnet and Nature, and Business and Markets.
  • Piedmont Virginia Community College and Germanna Community College, with facilities in Albemarle, Greene, Culpeper, and Orange counties, serve students in workforce training and career development programs such as advanced manufacturing, robotics, cybersecurity, and more.
National Security
  • Rivanna Station, home to national security agencies – Defense Intelligence Agency, National Ground Intelligence Center, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency – has drawn private sector national security companies to the region.
  • UVA’s National Security Data and Policy Institute combines academic, governmental, and industry expertise in data science, artificial intelligence, research computing and policy.
  • National security extends beyond intelligence innovation in Central Virginia and includes defense manufacturing innovations for companies such as Aerojet Rocketdyne, an L3 Harris Company, in Orange County; Northrup Grumman in Albemarle County; and Euro-Composites in Culpeper County. Greene County established a Defense Production Zone to attract defense and national security companies.

Innovation Corridor Steering Committee Members

Helen Cauthen, Central Virginia Partnership for Economic Development, Co-Lead
Pace Lochte, University of Virginia, Co-Lead
Chris Engel, City of Charlottesville
Nikki Hastings, CvilleBioHub
Rebecca Ivins, UVA Foundation
Emily Kilroy, Albemarle County
Doug Parsons, Fauquier County
Julie Perry, Orange County
Dillon Porter, Hourigan
Deborah van Eersel, UVA Foundation
Alan Yost, Greene County

Call (434) 979-5610