Wise, VA- May 21, 2026 at the David J. Prior Convocation Center on the campus of The University of Virginia's College at Wise, the 2026 Southwest Virginia Economic Forum brought together business leaders, educators, tourism officials, local government leaders and state officials from across the Coalfields and Appalachian Virginia.

The theme this year was “Rooted and Rising,” but much of the discussion focused on a difficult reality facing Southwest Virginia.

While Northern Virginia experienced explosive economic growth over the last two decades through technology companies, federal contracting and data centers, much of rural Southwest Virginia continued struggling with population decline, shrinking workforce participation and the long collapse of coal and manufacturing employment.

The event, hosted by UVA Wise with PBS Appalachia Virginia serving as media sponsor, has grown into one of the region’s major annual discussions on economic and community development.

UVA Wise Chancellor Donna P. Henry opened the forum by discussing the role the college increasingly plays in bringing together state agencies, local governments, businesses and nonprofits around long term regional development.

“One of the enduring qualities of Southwest Virginia is the respect and appreciation we have for each other,” Henry said.

Henry also highlighted the success of CGI’s technology center in Lebanon, which has grown into one of Southwest Virginia’s most successful technology sector employers over the last twenty years.

CGI executive Vijay Srinivasan praised the region’s workforce and said the company’s Lebanon operation became a model for additional technology centers across the country.

“The loyalty, work ethic, adaptability and sense of community that we have experienced from the partners who joined us in this region were truly something special,” Srinivasan said.

One of the strongest presentations of the day came from Dr. Amanda Weinstein of the Center on Rural Innovation, who laid out data showing the widening economic divide between rural and urban America.

“Richer places are becoming richer and poorer places are becoming poorer decade after decade,” Weinstein told attendees.

Using economic and workforce data, Weinstein described how automation and globalization reshaped farming, mining and manufacturing industries over the last several decades. While production remains high in many sectors, the number of jobs needed steadily declined.

Meanwhile, many of the nation’s highest paying industries shifted toward software development, cybersecurity, finance and remote technology work concentrated largely in urban areas.

For an example of the income ‘gap’ between rural vs urban, current Census figures show Lee County with a median household income near $42,000 annually while Loudoun County now exceeds $180,000.

Still, Weinstein argued rural regions like Southwest Virginia may now possess opportunities many communities lacked twenty years ago because of broadband expansion and remote work trends accelerated after COVID.

“Small towns are home to big ideas,” Weinstein said.

One of the strongest political moments of the forum came when longtime incumbent Delegate Terry Kilgore addressed the crowd.

Kilgore, a Scott County native and UVA Wise (then, Clinch Valley College) graduate, spoke about his long career working on economic issues affecting Southwest Virginia and stressed that regional economic survival requires cooperation beyond party politics.

“Economic development, childcare, infrastructure, workforce development, those are bipartisan issues,” Kilgore said. “Sometimes we have to get away from the partisan and focus on what really matters to the lives of folks here across the region and across the Commonwealth.”

Kilgore then introduced Governor Abigail Spanberger, who traveled from Richmond to personally address the forum.

Spanberger repeatedly emphasized that Southwest Virginia should not simply be viewed through the lens of its industrial past.

“Southwest Virginia is a strategic part of Virginia’s future,” the Governor said.

The Governor highlighted manufacturing investments in Norton and Scott County, along with tourism projects, housing initiatives and workforce programs underway across the region. She also noted tourism spending across Southwest Virginia reached approximately $1.3 billion during 2024.

Tourism and outdoor recreation remained major topics throughout the afternoon.

Virginia Tourism Corporation President and CEO Rita McClenny described how tourism patterns shifted after the pandemic as more Americans began looking toward smaller towns and outdoor destinations.

“We’re not just a one-time come-to-a-festival,” McClenny said. “We’re long weekends.”

McClenny highlighted projects tied to the Big Cherry Reservoir development near Big Stone Gap along with continued investment in trails, Appalachian music tourism and downtown revitalization projects.

Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade,  Kerry Chinery discussed the state’s efforts to coordinate economic development, housing, transportation and workforce development together rather than treating them as separate issues.

Department of Housing and Community Development Director Tamera Holmes discussed redevelopment work in Big Stone Gap and Norton and how multiple grant programs helped communities rebuild former industrial and mining properties.

Virginia Economic Development Partnership President and CEO Jason El Koubi said quality of life now plays a major role in economic recruitment.

“The places that create the conditions and environment where people want to be, those are the places that are going to be more successful,” El Koubi said.

El Koubi also highlighted the redevelopment of former mine land sites in Norton tied to Project Intersection and new manufacturing investments.

Eric Link focused on the role of entrepreneurship and small businesses in Southwest Virginia’s future economy, particularly businesses connected to tourism and outdoor recreation.

Also attending the forum was Adam Murphy, candidate for Congress in Virginia’s 9th District.

“I’m glad I was able to attend the SWVA Economic Forum and meet with leaders from across the region,” Murphy said. “I especially enjoyed the Regional Housing Symposium. It highlighted just how serious our affordable housing challenges are in Southwest Virginia. Housing is the foundation of economic development, and I want to work with local and regional leaders to help deliver solutions and make sure families can afford a home in Southwest Virginia.”

By the end of the day, the challenges facing Southwest Virginia remained obvious. Population decline continues in many counties. Housing shortages remain serious. Many younger workers still leave for larger metropolitan areas.

But the overall message from the forum remained clear.

Southwest Virginia still possesses assets many places do not: natural beauty, Appalachian culture, tight knit communities and people still deeply invested in the future of the mountains they call home.

By the end of the day, the challenges facing Southwest Virginia remained obvious. Population decline continues in many counties. Housing shortages remain serious. Many younger workers still leave for larger metropolitan areas.

But the overall message from the forum remained clear.

Southwest Virginia still possesses assets many places do not: natural beauty, Appalachian culture, tight knit communities and people still deeply invested in the future of the mountains they call home.