Virginia's Gateway Region

10/29/2026

Congratulations to one of our own!

VGR Vice Chair Christine Chandler has been named a 2026 Virginia Women in Leadership honoree by Virginia Business.

As president of AdvantaStaff, Christine has spent more than two decades helping companies develop workforce solutions that support their growth and success – expertise and leadership we’re fortunate to have on the VGR board.

Congratulations, Christine, on this well-deserved recognition!

Read more: https://ow.ly/HjRH50ZV6SU

PRESIDENT | ADVANTASTAFF | CHESTERFIELD COUNTY

10/28/2026

Big conversations. Strong partnerships. New opportunities across Virginia’s Gateway Region!

Our October Gateway Connector takes a closer look at the growing importance of energy infrastructure, including insights from VGR’s recent Dominion Energy roundtable. We’re also highlighting regional collaboration, workforce development and the investments helping our communities prepare for future growth.

Catch up on the news and people moving our region forward!

Read the October issue: https://ow.ly/W5aA51014Ob

10/27/2026

Powering our communities and our economy! ⚡

Virginia’s Gateway Region joined Southside Electric Cooperative in Crewe for its annual Legislative Day, bringing together local and state leaders to discuss energy policy and the challenges facing electric cooperatives.

Reliable, affordable energy is essential to supporting businesses, attracting investment and driving economic growth across our region. Thanks to Southside Electric for hosting this important conversation and for all it does to keep our communities connected!

10/23/2026

Steel builds more than structures. It builds careers, communities and economic opportunity!

During , we’re celebrating the skilled workers and manufacturers who help keep America strong. From welding and fabrication to advanced manufacturing, the steel industry supports good-paying jobs, drives economic growth and helps build the infrastructure we depend on every day — including right here in Virginia’s Gateway Region!

10/22/2026

A big congratulations to Alfreda Reynolds, director of economic development for our partner County of Brunswick, VA, on being named one of Virginia’s 100 Women of Color for 2026! 👏

This recognition celebrates women making a difference through leadership, service and contributions to their communities. Alfreda’s dedication to creating opportunities and advancing economic growth in Brunswick County makes her a deserving honoree!

Alfreda recently joined Virginia This Morning on CBS 6 to discuss the upcoming 100 Women of Color Gala & Awards, taking place Oct. 23 in Richmond.

🎥 Watch her interview: https://ow.ly/tTzF50ZZ9fH

Watch Virginia This Morning each weekday from 9 to 10 a.m. Find the show on Facebook and Instagram at .

10/21/2026

Virginia’s forest products industry is an economic driver for Virginia’s Gateway Region, supporting jobs, investment and opportunities for continued growth. During Virginia Forest Products Week, we recognize the industry’s contributions to our regional economy and its importance to the Commonwealth’s future.

Virginia Forest Products Week, October 19–25, is a chance to recognize the connection between Virginia’s forests and the products we use every day.

Lumber, flooring, furniture, paper, packaging, and many other wood-based products begin with forests that are carefully managed for long-term health and productivity. Forestry education helps prepare the people who make informed management decisions, work across the forest-products industry, and support the many careers connected to it.

Together, these connections show how healthy working forests, skilled professionals, and a strong forest-products industry all contribute to the wellbeing of Virginia’s communities and economy.

Stay connected with VFEF and explore more forestry education, resources, and opportunities at vfef.net.

10/20/2026

Virginia is No. 1 for workforce training – and that advantage is at work right here in VGR.

Area Development ranked the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program No. 1 in the nation, adding to its fourth consecutive No. 1 ranking from Business Facilities.

Created by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership in collaboration with Virginia's Community Colleges, the program helps companies recruit, train and launch a job-ready workforce. And it’s supporting Jabil’s new operation and 350+ jobs right here in VGR.

That’s Virginia’s Top State for Talent strategy in action.

Read the announcement: https://ow.ly/blMQ50ZV4CZ

About the Talent Accelerator: https://ow.ly/1w8850ZV4CV

The award-winning Virginia Talent Accelerator Program develops custom workforce training and recruitment services at no cost to the client.

10/16/2026

Could a 16-year-old girl from Hopewell have helped change the course of the American Revolution?

In 1781, Susanna Bolling overheard British General Cornwallis discussing a plan to capture the Marquis de Lafayette. Under cover of darkness, she escaped her family’s plantation in Hopewell, crossed the Appomattox River and raced to warn Lafayette.

Her daring journey is why she’s remembered today as the “girl who saved the Revolutionary War.”

As part of , we’re sharing Susanna’s remarkable story: https://www.gatewayregion.com/susanna-bolling-the-girl-who-won-the-revolutionary-war/

Her story is part of “War Stories and Heroes of Hopewell, Virginia,” an interactive StoryMaps project spanning Hopewell’s military history from the Revolutionary War through World War II. Check out the full series: https://ow.ly/GnvK50ZV6C1

10/15/2026

Biotech meets b**r in Petersburg! 🍻🧬

Join the Richmond-Petersburg region’s life sciences community for Biotech & B**r on Thursday, Oct. 22, at Hotel Petersburg!

Connect with innovators, entrepreneurs and industry leaders from biotech, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and academia. It’s a great opportunity to build relationships, exchange ideas and celebrate our region’s growing life sciences ecosystem.

Virginia’s Gateway Region is proud to support this event alongside Activation Capital, Virginia Commonwealth University's TechTransfer and Ventures, and Virginia Bio (Virginia Biotechnology Association).

📅 Oct. 22 | 4:30–6:30 p.m.
📍 Hotel Petersburg

Register today: https://ow.ly/oIIv50ZXy1n

**r

10/14/2026

Big moment last week in ! Congrats to Live Casino and Hotel Virginia for its "topping out" milestone. We look forward to celebrating the completed project when it opens late next year!