The Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA) has recognized the efforts of three communities in advancing economic viability by granting them the 2022 Community Economic Development Award Virginia. The winners, Franklin Southampton Economic Development, Inc., Blue Ridge Community College, and Roanoke County, were judged on their innovativeness, transferability, community commitment, and overall benefits. The winning programs are expected to serve as exemplary frameworks for other communities to replicate, thereby attracting new jobs and investment opportunities in Virginia. Furthermore, VEDA will submit these entries to the Southern Economic Development Council for consideration under its award program.

2022 Community Economic Development Awards Winners

RICHMOND, Virginia (March 29, 2022) — The Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA) has awarded its 2022 Community Economic Development Awards (CEDA) to three communities in the Commonwealth for their efforts in advancing economic viability through economic and community development programs.

Winning Recipients

The winning recipients were:
  • Franklin Southampton Economic Development, Inc.
  • Blue Ridge Community College
  • Roanoke County

Awards Criteria and Submission

Entries into the annual awards program are judged on factors that include innovativeness, transferability, community commitment and overall benefits derived from each.
VEDA will submit the winning entries to the Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC) for consideration under its award program that takes place later this year.

Recognition and Impact

“We celebrate the outstanding work of economic developers throughout the Commonwealth, including the three worthy recipients of the CEDA awards,” said Rockbridge County Economic Development Director Brandy Flint, Chair of VEDA’s CEDA awards committee. “Each of the winning programs provides exemplary framework for other communities to replicate in order for Virginia to continue to attract new jobs and investment opportunities.”

Franklin Southampton Economic Development, Inc. (FSEDI)

Franklin Southampton Economic Development, Inc (FSEDI), administered by Franklin Southampton Inc., helps entrepreneurs start businesses through business education, which includes developing a plan and pitching it in a competition with prize money awarded for the top plans. The program titled STARTUP initially used funding provided through a Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development grant.
Today the program known as STARTUP Franklin Southampton is a role model for other communities to follow in their revitalization efforts.

About the Virginia Economic Developers Association

The Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership association for individuals with a professional interest in economic development across the Commonwealth of Virginia. VEDA serves as the voice of economic development in Virginia and was founded in 1982 to increase the effectiveness of individuals involved in the practice of economic development in Virginia by encouraging cooperation, exchange of information, and professional development activities. For more information, visit goveda.org.

Media Contact

Stephanie Heinatz
Consociate Media for the Virginia Economic Developers Association

Question & Answer

1. What is the Community Economic Development Award Virginia?

The Community Economic Development Award Virginia is granted by the Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA) to communities in recognition of their efforts in advancing economic viability through economic and community development programs.

2. How are the winners of the Community Economic Development Award Virginia judged?

The winners of the Community Economic Development Award Virginia are judged based on factors such as innovativeness, transferability, community commitment, and overall benefits derived from their programs.

3. What are the winning recipients of the 2022 Community Economic Development Awards?

The winning recipients of the 2022 Community Economic Development Awards are Franklin Southampton Economic Development, Inc., Blue Ridge Community College, and Roanoke County.