Support 757’s Core Economic Drivers-2

Support 757's Core Economic Drivers: (Military, Maritime and Hospitality)

Military

Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facilities Alliance (HRMFFA)

The Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facilities Alliance (HRMFFA) is an initiative of the Hampton Roads Mayors and Chairs Caucus. The HRMFFA was established to collectively focus efforts on preserving and growing Federal capabilities within the Hampton Roads region.

The mission of HRMFFA is to attract, retain and grow military and federal facilities across the region for the common good and welfare of the residents of Hampton Roads. Through regional advocacy and influence, the Alliance acts to attract, retain and grow organizations, capabilities and investments owned, operated or funded by the Federal government.

Additional Support

BRAC may return in three to four years. We will start planning our case now for greater investment, not less, in military facilities and personnel.

To this end, we know the military prefers communities that serve their bases to support 30% of the local military’s workforce with telework capabilities and have a strong broadband network. The Alliance will lead the entire 757 business community in advancing the Regional Broadband Network Ring initiative.

Maritime

Hampton Roads Maritime Collaborative for Growth & Innovation (HRMC)

The Hampton Roads Maritime Collaborative for Growth & Innovation (HRMC) was established to provide thought leadership and alignment to pursue opportunities resulting in long-term economic development and innovation for the Hampton Roads maritime ecosystem. Initiatives include offshore wind, resilience, talent pipelines and supply base. HRMC’s Board of Directors includes more than 40 leaders representing business, maritime associations, the Navy, the public sector, and state and regional economic development organizations.  

Nancy Grden, associate vice president of Old Dominion University’s Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, has been named the first executive director of HRMC.

Additional Support

The maritime industry is a regional foundation today and for the future. The maritime industrial base ecosystem must be viewed and nurtured as a driver for economic growth including job generation and wealth building. The value of maritime and the opportunities presented must become part of our core regional messaging.

Hospitality

Coastal Virginia Tourism Alliance

The Coastal Virginia Tourism Alliance is a group of destination marketing professionals that represent one voice for tourism in the region. The Alliance enhances the awareness of tourism’s impact to the economic health of the regional economy and to the quality of life for citizens of Coastal Virginia.

The Alliance operates entirely on a voluntary sharing of information to demonstrate the sustainable competitive advantage our region provides visitors and define and communicate how these visitors augment our gross regional product.

Additional Support

The Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) just released a series of How to Guides that will help accelerate the Virginia tourism and hospitality industry’s recovery from COVID-19. As part of this release, VTC will offer grants, starting in January 2021, for communities who use these How to Guides to advance their local travel and tourism industry’s promotion, product development and advocacy. The Alliance will help launch this important recovery work for the region’s hospitality industry.