We fund grants for growth, jobs, and quality of life in the Shenandoah Valley.

About Region 8

Region 8 consists of the cities of Buena Vista, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Staunton, Waynesboro, Winchester; and the counties of Augusta, Bath, Clarke, Frederick, Highland, Page, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren.

The GO Virginia Region 8 Council is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of the GO Virginia program in Region 8, including reviewing and awarding grants that incentivize collaboration between business, education, and local government. The Shenandoah Valley Partnership serves as Region 8’s fiscal and administrative support organization. The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is the state agency responsible for administering the GO Virginia program.

How we're making a difference

Virginia needs strong private sector growth and job creation.

Federal cutbacks have exposed our over-dependence on public-sector jobs.

Growth in Virginia’s diverse regions requires collaboration.

To grow and diversify our economy, business, education, and government must collaborate effectively in each region.

State government must be a catalyst and partner.

State government must provide incentives for strategic, job-focused collaboration in each region of the Commonwealth.

Target Sectors

These specific sectors were selected for economic development initiatives in Region 8 based on criteria such as high earnings potential, export orientation, and strong employment growth.

Financial & Business Services

Finance and Business Services sector provides finance, insurance, real estate, accounting, and consulting services with high regional job growth.

Health Care

A reliable and vibrant health care sector is essential to attracting talent to the region and to grow overall quality of life.

Food Manufacturing

Value-Added Food Manufacturing is an industry that marries Region 8’s agricultural roots with its manufacturing legacy.

Light Manufacturing

Light Manufacturing has a strong legacy throughout Region 8 and has six subsectors with location quotients above 4.00.

Biomedical & Biotechnical

Region 8 has 107 establishments employing 2,466 workers with the top industry being Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing.

IT & Communications

The Information Technology and Communications sector employs 5,070 workers at 550 establishments.

Transportation and Logistics

Transportation and Logistics sector links producers and consumers through transportation and logistics industries.
See More About Our Target Sectors

Focus Areas

The GO Virginia Project Team developed a Strategic Framework with Targeted Industries to enhance opportunities for job growth by identifying what makes Region 8 economically competitive and supporting industries with high paying wages.

Growing Businesses

A supportive environment for company growth and profitability beyond start-up is vital for a dynamic and stable economy.

Scale Your Business

Site Development

The Region’s ED Ad Hoc Committee has taken steps to enhance site preparation through site characterization work.

Get Help With Your Site

Talent Development

Develop a productive workforce that aligns with the demands of the region’s businesses for long-term success and growth.

Develop Your Team

Start-Up Businesses

Entrepreneurship is the carrier for innovation, which plays a significant role in economic growth, with up to 80 percent rooted in new knowledge.

Get Started

I have enjoyed supporting GO Virginia’s focus of aligning regional business leaders with municipal and other public stakeholders to create a unique organization that is investing in transformative economic development projects across Region 8.

Chris Kyle , Regional Council Chair

Economic Investment by the Numbers

19 Projects Funded
$5.5M GO Virginia Funds Invested
$3.5M Public/Private Match Funds Leveraged
How investments are making a difference

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