Economic Development
Economic development (ED) promotes long-term regional stability and prosperity and is a key focus of PlanRVA’s work. PlanRVA works collaboratively with the region’s stakeholders to build a dynamic, resilient, and inclusive economy that benefits all its residents.
Much of PlanRVA’s Community Development work is guided by the Richmond Regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). A comprehensive update to the region’s CEDS was completed in 2025 with EDA planning grant funds. An eighteen member CEDS Steering Committee, including stakeholder representatives and economic development staff representatives from each locality, guided this update through development of each plan component. The Committee’s work was informed by input from stakeholders and the community through two rounds of public engagement.
The major components of the CEDS document include:
- Background Summary (socioeconomic data, target industries analysis, economic development mapping)
- Community Engagement Summary
- Identification of Strengths and Opportunities for Growth or Improvement
- Strategic Direction/Action Plan
- Evaluation Framework with Performance Metrics
The CED’s Strategic Direction/Action Plan includes a set of six Goals, twenty-three Strategies and eighty-five Actions to be undertaken individually and collectively by PlanRVA, by our partners and by our localities. The 2025 CEDS was adopted by the PlanRVA Commission on November 13, 2025.
Learn more about the 2025 CEDS update on the CEDS Engagement Page. Read the final 2025 CEDS Report:
RVA Rising
RVA Rising is a data driven, collaborative effort to increase economic mobility across the Richmond region. Built on the Urban Institute’s Upward Mobility Framework, it focuses on five pillars:
- Inclusive Neighborhoods
- Rewarding Work
- Quality Education
- Access to Good Health Care
- Responsive Governance
Regional organizations, including ChamberRVA, the Community Foundation, United Way, Richmond Memorial Health Foundation, and PlanRVA are central to the development of RVA Rising. Rising emphasizes cross-sector collaboration, community engagement, policy action, and a data dashboard to track progress. Learn more at RVA Rising’s website.
Virginia Southeastern Regional Commission (SCRC)
PlanRVA also engages in state and federal initiatives, including the Southeastern Crescent Regional Commission (SCRC) and the State Economic and Infrastructure Development (SEID) grant program. SEID was administered through the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), and PlanRVA provided application support for eligible applicants. The Maggie Walker Community Land Trust was one of four successful applicants in 2023-2024 for their Oakwood Grove affordable townhomes project in Richmond’s Southside.
GO Virginia
PlanRVA partners with GO Virginia, which promotes economic development across nine regions in Virginia. Region 4, which includes PlanRVA member localities, fosters collaboration among business, education, and government to support private sector growth and workforce development. Learn more about Region 4’s Growth and Diversification Plan and grant opportunities here.
PlanRVA’s collaborative approach with a vast array of partners ensures that economic development is not only inclusive but also adaptable to future challenges.