REGIONAL INITIATIVES
IBM PRIORITY #1: ADVANCE COMPETITIVENESS PRIORITIES THROUGH REGIONAL COLLABORATION An important theme throughout the IBM-PLI study was the need for more regional collaboration. At the time, the study noted that “current economic development efforts in Hampton Roads suffer from fragmentation and lack of coordination in regional efforts.” In order to combat this fragmentation, IBM-PLI recommended creating a “formalized structure” for collaboration and knowledge sharing, accompanied by more effective communication of said structure. The COVID-19 pandemic bore many challenges, but also afforded the region the opportunity to undergird their processes with IBM-PLI’s recommendations. The 757 Recovery and Resilience Action Framework is one such pillar, alongside the plans proposed as part of the Build Back Better initiative. The study also recommended maintaining strong relationships with other state and local economic development agencies in the Commonwealth, which Alliance staff accomplished through strategic partnerships with VEDP and VEDA.
Alliance President & CEO Doug Smith presents the 757 Recovery & Resilience Action Framework at the State of the Region. 12 HAMPTON ROADS ALLIANCE
