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Institute for Advanced Learning and Research

Driving Economic Transformation

Inside IALR Podcast: Economic Development – Transforming a Region

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Inside IALR Podcast: Economic Development – Transforming a Region

Inside IALR Podcast: Economic Development – Transforming a Region

“We always say we’re accessible, we’re affordable and we’re skilled.”— Linda Green, Vice President, Economic Development 

These are some of the main selling points that IALR’s Vice President of Economic Development Linda Green and her team and partner organizations use when recruiting new companies to locate in Southern Virginia.

Listen to the newest episode of IALR’s biweekly podcast, “Inside IALR,” for an engaging snapshot of economic development in Southern Virginia. What is economic development, and why does it matter for our region? Listen wherever you get podcasts to find out.

Listen on IALR’s Site 

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Podcasts

In this episode, Linda defines economic development, emphasizing that it is not a simple, short-term or one-size-fits-all approach. Linda shares how her team works to recruit companies and promote growth for existing industries, highlights the selling points they make to companies, and explains what economic development looks like in Southern Virginia. 

 

Linda Green of IALR Wins Women in Leadership Award

Linda Green of IALR Wins Women in Leadership Award

Linda Green, Vice President of Economic Development at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), joins 36 other executives as one of the winners of this year’s Virginia Business Women in Leadership Awards.  

Green has served in her current role as well as the Executive Director of the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance (SVRA) since 2016. As Virginia Business states, since that time, she has “worked in collaboration with economic developers to recruit 28 new companies to Southern Virginia and assist the expansion of 31 existing companies.” Virginia Business goes on to share that “Green says these efforts have created more than 5,300 jobs and spurred about $1.5 billion in capital investment across the region.”

“We are extremely fortunate to benefit from the keen economic development expertise of one of the state’s leading professionals in this area,” said Telly Tucker, President, IALR. “Linda’s love for Southern Virginia and her tireless efforts to contribute toward the growth and transformation of the region are evident and well respected by local, regional and state stakeholders across multiple industries and span both the public and private sectors.” 

Prior to her role at IALR and SVRA, Green worked as District Director for U.S. Congressman Robert Hurt and as Director for Federal Funding and Entrepreneurship for the Center for Innovative Technology, where she also served terms as Director of Manufacturing and Regional Technology Transfer. She also served as the President and CEO of the Dan River Business Development Center and worked as a Quality Engineer for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. A Certified Quality Engineer, Linda holds a Master of Business Administration from Duke University and is a graduate of Averett University and Danville Community College. 

“I am thrilled to be recognized for this esteemed award and appreciate Virginia Business’ commitment to honor and support the leading role that women play in the many businesses and industries across our Commonwealth,” said Green. “I also acknowledge the importance of working with a collaborative team of professionals who welcome and support female employees and cohorts — helping one another succeed is a blessing.”  

Virginia Business editors selected awardees from more than 320 nominations submitted by readers. According to the media outlet, “editorial staff considered factors such as overall professional accomplishments, civic engagement, mentoring and breaking glass ceilings.”   

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves Virginia as a regional catalyst for economic transformation with applied research, advanced learning, manufacturing advancement, conference center services and economic development efforts. IALR’s major footprint focuses within Southern Virginia, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg along with the cities of Martinsville and Danville. 

SOVA Task Force Offers Workforce Solutions

SOVA Task Force Offers Workforce Solutions

The SOVA Task Force offered a Workforce Solutions weekly webinar series in May as an extension of the Bridge to Recovery Grant provided by GO Virginia Region 3. The series provided employers with resources and best practices regarding today’s workforce.

“Amid all the pressures facing our businesses in the wake of COVID, solutions for workforce-related issues are repeatedly sought,” said Linda Green, Executive Director of the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance (SVRA). “Therefore, we convened experts and resources to assist with these Human Resources needs.”

The Workforce Solutions webinar series addressed Childcare, Afterschool Care and Elder Care; Recruiting and Onboarding Employees; Trainings, Apprenticeships, Internships and Re-entry Programs; Higher Education, Skill Sets, Certifications and Recertifications; and Retention, Promotion and Advancement.

During one webinar, Steve Youll of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Talent Attraction Program shared how talent attraction has evolved with increased expectations by candidates. He said “72% of job seekers report sharing negative candidate experiences online” and “55% of candidates will avoid certain companies after reading negative online reviews.”

Moderators included workforce experts Dr. Julie Brown of IALR and Robbie Knight of Virginia Career Works-West Piedmont. The series was originated, organized and marketed by the SOVA COVID-19 Task Force, which is managed by the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance.

Recordings are available at svra.org under COVID-19 Economic Resources. In the future, similar programs will be provided in the eastern part of the GO Virginia Region 3 service area.

The SOVA Task Force webinars are part of the GO Virginia Region 3 Bridge to Recovery Grant. Regional employers like Axxor have adapted to the impact of COVID while continuing safe operations.

Green Named VEDA Treasurer

Green Named VEDA Treasurer

Linda Green, IALR’s Director of Economic Development and Executive Director of the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance, has been named Treasurer for the 2022 Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for the Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA), a committee on which she has served for several years. The new officers were elected at the two-day annual membership meeting in December.

The Virginia Economic Developers Association 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.

IALR Staff Receive Service Awards

IALR Staff Receive Service Awards

Three IALR employees recently received service awards. Amy Turner, Laboratory Research Associate, celebrated 10 years in April. Her research includes applications of endophytic bacteria, controlled environment agriculture, and helping industry move products toward commercialization. Executive Director Mark Gignac celebrated five years in July. Gignac oversees all divisions of IALR and represents the organization as a leader of economic transformation across the region. Director of Economic Development Linda Green celebrated five years in October. She helps leverage the hosting resources of IALR to assist local economic developers in marketing the Southern Virginia region.