Virginia's Gateway Region

02/18/2026

Virginia’s Gateway Region is taking our message to the global stage. 🌍

Last week, our Amy Everett joined Caitlin Champion of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and Dominique DeBose of Virginia Beach Economic Development at the Building Bridges to the USA roadshow. Held this year in the Netherlands and Belgium, the event promotes foreign direct investment in Virginia – and we're inviting that to happen right here in Virginia’s Gateway Region.

Hosted by SelectUSA, the U.S. Department of Commerce initiative connects international companies with state leaders to explore expansion opportunities. Business executives learned what it takes to establish operations in the United States – and why Virginia continues to lead the way.

We’re proud to help open doors that bring jobs, innovation and long-term investment to our region.

02/16/2026

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, this holiday carries special meaning in Virginia, known as the Mother of Presidents. Eight U.S. presidents called Virginia home, including George Washington, whose birthday this holiday originally honored.

Leadership, legacy and opportunity have always shaped our Commonwealth, and they continue to shape Virginia’s Gateway Region today.

02/13/2026

Innovation is growing – and Virginia’s Gateway Region is part of it. 🌱

At Indoor Ag-Con in Las Vegas this week, our Tom Scott joined partners from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and Virginia State University to explore the fast-growing world of Controlled Environment Agriculture.

With deep agricultural roots, strong workforce partnerships and strategic East Coast access, the Gateway Region is well-positioned to compete in ag-tech and indoor farming.

Our heritage runs deep – and so does our opportunity.

02/12/2026

Last week, VGR communities gathered for our regular bimonthly learning session, held at the Keystone Antique Truck & Tractor Museum.

The meeting featured a presentation from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership's Incentives team, offering a comprehensive look at Virginia’s incentives process for companies. We appreciate the insights shared by Aileen Martz, director (center), and Marilu DeSimone, manager, whose guidance will help ensure our localities are informed, aligned and ready to support business growth across the Gateway Region.

02/10/2026

✨ February Momentum in Virginia’s Gateway Region ✨

From leadership transitions at the state and local levels to major investments already creating jobs and strengthening communities, 2026 is off to a strong start in the Gateway Region.

In our February newsletter, hear from President & CEO Keith Boswell on:
✔️ Partnering with new and returning leaders across the Commonwealth
✔️ The opening of the temporary Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia and its early community impact
✔️ Federal investments supporting Petersburg’s continued revitalization
✔️ New board members, workforce partnerships, and infrastructure wins across the region

👉 Read the full February Gateway Connector: https://ow.ly/4a4v50YbYb2

📷: Daniel Jones

02/06/2026

We’re proud to celebrate the launch of the Live! Change Maker community giving program at Live! Casino Virginia in . This initiative is designed to direct support to local organizations through guest donations. 🇺🇸🤝

The program's first quarterly beneficiary is the Virginia State University Foundation. Proceeds raised will help expand access and enhance academic opportunities for students, which will reinforce the school's commitment to education, workforce pathways and community success. 📚✨

Thank you to partners investing in community impact and building stronger opportunities for the Gateway Region!

02/05/2026

This Black History Month, Virginia’s Gateway Region honors the Black leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators and workers whose ideas and efforts have shaped our communities - and continue to drive our regional economy forward.

Economic development is about creating opportunity, expanding access and building pathways so every community can thrive. As we reflect on the past, we recommit to advancing inclusive growth that strengthens businesses, supports workforce development and opens doors across the Gateway Region.

02/03/2026

Last week, the U.S. Army Fort Lee leadership team met with Michelle K. Donahue, Army Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4, and Jordan Gillis, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment.

The discussion focused on public-private partnerships and commercial data centers - key elements in advancing the Defense Community Enclave and strengthening long-term collaboration between military installations and surrounding communities.

The visit also included a tour of the Pentagon, making for a meaningful and memorable day of dialogue and partnership. VGR's Keith Boswell was honored to participate in the event. 🇺🇸🤝

01/30/2026

We were honored to attend the 2026 New Year Reception hosted earlier this month by the U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command (CASCOM) at U.S. Army Fort Lee.

The event marked the first New Year’s reception for Maj. Gen. Sean P. Davis since assuming command of CASCAOM and served as a meaningful opportunity to recognize the strong partnerships between Fort Lee and the region’s business and community leaders. We value this longstanding collaboration and the role it plays in strengthening our regional economy, workforce and community connections.

Thank you to CASCOM leadership for bringing partners together as we start the year ahead. 🇺🇸🤝

01/28/2026

🧱 Happy International LEGO Day!

January 28 marks the day the modern, interlocking LEGO brick was patented in 1958 - a design that’s inspired creativity, imagination and learning for generations.

It feels especially fitting to celebrate here in Prince George County, Va., where something big is coming together at the LEGO Group Regional Distribution Center site. With the building pad complete and the first wall now going up, this project is truly being built brick by brick in Virginia’s Gateway Region.

🎥 Happy to share this post and video from our friends in Prince George and their partners.

01/26/2026

We’re grateful that Winter Storm Fern didn’t hit our region with the intensity it could have this weekend. These winter scenes from The Progress-Index capture the moment across ❄️

Please continue to stay safe and follow state emergency guidance as conditions change. And if you snapped a snow photo, we’d love to see it! Share in the comments and tell us where you’re checking in from!

A winter storm that affected millions of people across the country arrived in Petersburg and buried the area in snow Jan. 25.

01/23/2026

🎰 VGR tried our luck in Petersburg last night!

Our Virginia’s Gateway Region team joined a strong crowd for the opening of the temporary Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia, celebrating another big milestone for this transformative project.

From job creation to new energy downtown, last night's opening signals real momentum for and the entire Gateway Region. We’re feeling pretty lucky to be part of a region where smart investment, strong partnerships and opportunity continue to line up.

Here’s to a winning night — and an even brighter future ahead. 🍀