Regional economic developers create SoVa COVID-19 Task Force
DANVILLE, Va. (WSET) -- Local and regional economic developers have come together to form the SoVa COVID-19 Task Force to monitor COVID-19 impacts and subsequent needs while collecting information and economic resources for Southern Virginia companies.
“Collaborative efforts among localities in each region of Virginia will be essential to ensuring that we effectively address the challenges we face, as well as prepare for a successful economic recovery once social distancing guidance can be softened," Stephen Moret, President and CEO of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership stated.
According to a press release, the task force members include economic developers and representatives from local chambers of commerce in the Southern Virginia region which includes the counties of Halifax, Henry, Patrick, and Pittsylvania and the cities of Danville and Martinsville.
As businesses and organizations have needs that surface related to COVID-19, the chambers of commerce and economic developers are aligning resources and solutions for a more effective and timely resolution.
Key actions of the task force include:
- Weekly conference calls between the region’s localities to collaborate and share information
- Local interface with businesses and collaborative sharing of questions and industry solutions
- Linking industry to industry as well as industry to professional service providers for solutions
- Creation of a website page for COVID-19 resources and time sensitive social media postings
- A task force news blast to quickly disseminate the latest news and resources to the team
- A calendar that lists shared events and webinars to broaden outreach
The task force has scheduled weekly Zoom meetings to discuss efforts to address the major issues affecting businesses.
A list of COVID-19 economic resources has been developed and is available here.
They say this webpage allows businesses to find vital information on the status of COVID-19 regulations and support.
“It is our responsibility as a business community to work collaboratively to stop the spread of COVID-19 and return Virginia to a healthier and more prosperous position.” stated Barry DuVal, President and CEO of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. “Regions grow across economic boundaries and the SoVa COVID-19 Task Force will foster positive collaboration between localities and the business community to help transition from the current crisis to a brighter future. I commend the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance for its leadership to develop this task force and look forward to engaging alongside their efforts.”
SoVa COVID-19 Task Force members:
Patrick County Chamber of Commerce
- Rebecca Adcock
- patcchamber@embarqmail.com
- 276-694-6012
City of Danville Economic Development
- Corrie Bobe
- Corrie.Bobe@danvilleva.gov
- 434-793-1753
Halifax County IDA
- Brian Brown
- bbrown@halifaxvirginia.com
- 434-572-1734
Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce
- Alexis Ehrhardt
- AEhrhardt@dpchamber.org
- 434-836-6990
Institute for Advanced Learning and Research
- Mark Gignac
- Mark.Gignac@ialr.org
- 434-766-6685
Southern Virginia Regional Alliance
- Linda Green
- lgreen@svra.org
- 434-766-6707
Halifax County Chamber of Commerce
- Mitzi McCormick
- Mitzi@halifaxchamber.net
- 434-572-3085
Pittsylvania County Economic Development
- Matt Rowe
- matthew.rowe@pittgov.org
- 434-797-6906
Patrick County Economic Development
- Bryce Simmons
- bsimmons@co.patrick.va.us
- 276-694-8367
Martinsville Henry County Chamber of Commerce
- Lisa Watkins
- lisa@mhcchamber.com
- 276-632-6401
