The Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce was proud to host a regional stop on the Blueprint Virginia 2035 Tour, a statewide initiative led by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce to gather input on the Commonwealth’s next long-term strategic plan for economic growth.
The event welcomed business leaders, community stakeholders, and elected officials for a dynamic discussion on the priorities shaping Virginia’s future.
Event Highlights:
🔹 Welcome & Introductions
Susan Spears, President & CEO of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber, opened the session by emphasizing the importance of collaboration in building a strong, sustainable economy for the Fredericksburg region and beyond.
To ground the conversation in local context, attendees were presented with a regional snapshot highlighting key indicators such as:
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Population growth
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Unemployment rate
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Median income levels
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Top industry clusters
🔹 Blueprint Virginia 2035 Overview
A panel of distinguished leaders offered insights into the major themes driving the Blueprint effort:
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Linda Stanley (First Citizens Bank / Virginia Chamber Chair) shared the business community’s role in influencing policy and workforce development.
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Monica Schmude (Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield) spoke on healthcare access, innovation, and the role of the private sector in improving community health outcomes.
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Edmond Hughes (Huntington Ingalls Industries) discussed talent pipelines, workforce retention, and aligning education with industry needs.
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Cathie Vick (Virginia Chamber of Commerce) provided a forward-looking view on the Blueprint’s purpose—gathering input from every region to shape policies around infrastructure, workforce, innovation, and quality of life.
🔹 What’s Next
Participants were encouraged to complete the Blueprint Virginia 2035 Regional Tour Survey—a key step in capturing regional perspectives that will inform the plan’s final recommendations.
Stay Tuned:
The completed Blueprint Virginia 2035 will be unveiled later this year and serve as a guiding framework for strengthening Virginia’s position as a top state for business and talent.
