WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA – Moments ago, the Virginia Forum on Infrastructure and Its Impact on Economic Development concluded with a crowd of 300 participants.

In its second year, this event brought together key leaders, industry experts, and stakeholders to explore the crucial role of infrastructure in driving economic development. The event, hosted by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Hampton Roads Alliance, showcased the Commonwealth’s commitment to leveraging infrastructure investments for future growth and prosperity.

Leaders in infrastructure-reliant industries, including economic development, energy, and housing, discussed Virginia’s opportunities in energy infrastructure and its impact on economic growth and gave valuable insights into the challenges and solutions for economic development in Virginia.

The program featured keynote remarks by The Honorable Mark Christie, Commissioner of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and Katharine Bond, Founder of iliox.

“Today’s program successfully provided a platform for dialogue and collaboration, setting the stage for future advancements in Virginia’s infrastructure and economic development,” said Barry DuVal, President & CEO of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. “The discussions and conversations held today will undoubtedly contribute to shaping recommendations in our next strategic plan for the Commonwealth, Blueprint Virginia 2035.”

“The Virginia Forum on Infrastructure underscored the vital connection between energy infrastructure and economic development—topics central to our regional energy roadmap and the continued prosperity of our community. This event helped us advance our energy education efforts, equipping leaders and decision-makers with the knowledge needed to drive forward-thinking policies that benefit our region and the entire Commonwealth of Virginia,” said Doug Smith, President & CEO of the Hampton Roads Alliance. “We were proud to partner with the Virginia Chamber to co-host such an important forum.”

“The insights shared at today’s event will help guide our efforts in building a robust and future-ready infrastructure,” said Robert Duvall, President & CEO, Virginia Natural Gas. “I am proud to serve as both Chair of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and as Vice Chair of the Hampton Roads Alliance Board of Directors. Collaboration is the key to success as we work together to keep Virginia as the Top State for Business.”

Highlights from the Forum Include:

WELCOME & OPENING REMARKS

Barry DuVal, President & CEO, Virginia Chamber of Commerce

Doug Smith, President & CEO, Hampton Roads Alliance

Robert Duvall, President & CEO, Virginia Natural Gas; Chair, Virginia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; Vice Chair, Hampton Roads Alliance Board of Directors

OPENING KEYNOTE 

Katharine Bond, Founder, iliox

PANEL DISCUSSION:  ENERGY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: VIRGINIA’S OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FUTURE

Moderator: Andrea Wortzel, Partner, Troutman Pepper

Panelists:

Ed Baine, President – Dominion Energy Virginia

Walter Crenshaw, Senior Director of Origination, The AES Corporation

Shannon Pierce, Vice President of Strategy and Chief Administrative Officer, Virginia Natural Gas

Doug Smith, President & CEO, Hampton Roads Alliance

Tracey Steiner, Chief Engagement and Consumer Officer, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative

PANEL DISCUSSION: THE IMPORTANCE OF FACTS: ADDRESSING CHALLENGES TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Moderator: Jonathan Greeley, Head of Virginia Economic Development, Amazon

Panelists:

Nick Blessing, Director, Public Policy & Economic Development, QTS Data Centers

Todd Haymore, Managing Director, Global Economic Development, Commerce & Government Relations Practice Group, Hunton Andrews Kurth

Monique Johnson, Chief of Programs, Virginia Housing

Chris Lloyd, Sr. VP & Director, Infrastructure & Economic Development, McGuireWoods Consulting LLC

LUNCHEON KEYNOTE

The Honorable Mark Christie, Commissioner, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

###

About the Virginia Chamber of Commerce:
The Virginia Chamber of Commerce is the largest business advocacy organization in the Commonwealth, with more than 32,000 members. The Chamber is a non-partisan, business advocacy organization that works in the legislative, regulatory, and political arenas to act as the catalyst for positive change in all areas of economic development and competitiveness for Virginia. In December 2021, the Chamber released its new statewide strategic economic development plan, Blueprint Virginia 2030, which has engaged over 7,000 business, economic development, workforce, education, housing, and other community leaders to lay out a plan to ensure Virginia remains at the top of national business climate rankings. Learn more at  www.blueprintvirginia.org.