The Halifax County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) hosted 11 staff members of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), including a number of its senior leadership. The full day event took place on Wednesday, January 8, 2014 and included an itinerary of IDA presentations, tours of IDA and community assets, and strategic planning discussions. The IDA was represented by its staff and Board members throughout the day. IDA Board members Chris Lumsden (Chairman of the Prospects & Properties Committee) and John Cannon (Board Chairman) attended most of the day's events.

"VEDP is a critical partner to the IDA's mission of increased employment and economic growth," says Matt Leonard, the IDA's Executive Director. "We are fortunate to already have a strong relationship with VEDP's senior leadership, including Chris Lumsden who is the current Vice Chairman of the VEDP Board, and instrumental in helping to facilitate the session on January 8th."

The goal of the January 8th session was to display the IDA's significant staffing, and operational changes, and receive input from the VEDP regarding the IDA's current marketing strategies and tactics. It also allowed both to continue to coordinate these efforts to become more effective and efficient.

"As a member of the VEDP's Board of Directors and the IDA Board," said Lumsden "knowing the changes in leadership and strategies in both organizations over the last year, I thought it was important to get the two groups together. Especially in light of the challenging economy we all face together. I am pleased with how it all came together and turned out."

Among those from the VEDP in attendance was Liz Povar, Vice President of Business Expansion. She had this to say about Halifax, Virginia: "Our discussion with Halifax leadership was a way to more fully understand the assets of the County and its strategic goals. The VEDP team appreciated the opportunity to carry out this "deep dive" and we were impressed with its focus on weaving education, applied research and real estate into a solid framework to build on existing industry as well as business formation and recruitment."

The final session of the day was attended by representatives from other local mission critical partners. These included, Doug Bowman, Finance Committee Chairman of the Halifax County Board of Supervisors, Mark Estes, Executive Director of the Halifax County Service Authority, Dr. Betty Adams, Executive Director of the SVHEC, Ed Owens, Mayor of South Boston and the immediate past Chairman of the Tobacco Commission's Southside Economic development Committee, Mattie Cowan, IDA Board Member, and Ted Bennett, IDA Board Member and HEF Board Member.