Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)

The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) contributes to effective economic development in America’s communities and regions through a place-based, regionally driven economic development planning process. Economic development planning – as implemented through the CEDS – is not only a cornerstone of the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) programs, but successfully serves as a means to engage community leaders, leverage the involvement of the private sector, and establish a strategic blueprint for regional collaboration. Simply put, a CEDS is a strategy-driven plan for regional economic development.

 

The Final Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Plan is now available!

You can access the plan by clicking here, or by clicking the image below.

 

Awarded Grants

In September 2024, the Commissioners of the George Washington Regional Commission (GWRC) were awarded a $50,000 United States Economic Development Administration grant to develop a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The five jurisdictions of Planning District 16 (City of Fredericksburg and Counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania and Stafford) all agreed to provide the 1:1 local match for the grant contributing $10,000 each toward the $50,000 match.

 
Project Framework

This framework was developed with review by a group of volunteer stakeholders identified by GWRC staff. This group met under the facilitation of the George Washington Regional Commission to review and comment on a framework document providing the direction toward a CEDS development.

CEDS – Framework.PDF

 
Project Roadmap

 
Steering Committee

The steering committee is an advisory committee comprised of local government economic development representatives who contributed to the funding and the development of the CEDS initiation. Each jurisdiction is represented with GWRC as the regional representative.

The role of the steering committee includes:

  1. Develop an initial workplan, budget and timeline for the CEDS development. This includes a recommendation to the GWRC Commission of the workplan, a Strategy Committee representation and a recommended consulting firm to contract with to develop the CEDS document.
  2. The steering committee will provide direction to the GWRC staff who will be facilitating activities and serving as liaison to the consulting firm. The Steering Committee will provide a conduit between local governments and the CEDS process through the GWRC staff. GWRC staff may ask the Steering Committee members for data, community input and local government priorities to assist in the development of the comprehensive economic development strategy.

 

Steering Committee Membership

  1. Liz Barber, Stafford County
  2. Gary Wilson, Caroline County
  3. Kevin Marshall, Spotsylvania County
  4. Matthew Smolnik, King George County
  5. Josh Summit, City of Fredericksburg
  6. Chip Boyles, GWRC
  7. Sarah Oldaker, GWRC & GO Virginia Region 6

 

Strategy Committee

The Strategy Committee will be a large advisory committee appointed by the GWRC Commission to provide the principal direction of the CEDS process and responsible for developing and future updating of the CEDS. From 13 CFR S303.6, “The Strategy Committee must represent the main economic interests of the Region, which may include Indian tribes, the private sector, State and other public officials, community leaders, private individuals, representatives of workforce development boards, institutions of higher education, minority and labor groups, and others who can contribute to and benefit from improved economic development in the relevant Region. In addition, the Strategy Committee must demonstrate the capacity to undertake a collaborative and effective planning process.” The CEDS Strategy Committee’s main responsibility is providing input to and guiding the direction of the CEDS process.

Strategy Committee Meeting Dates

Friday, May 02, 2025 11:00 am to 1:30 pm – Jepsen Alumni Executive Center

Wednesday, July 9, 2025 11:00 am to 1:00 pm – Jepson Alumni Executive Center

Friday, August 22, 2025 11:00 am to 1:30 pm – Jepson Alumni Executive Center

Friday, October 24, 2025 11:00 am to 1:30 pm – Jepson Alumni Executive Center

Strategy Committee Recommendations (Tentative)

  1. King George County – Werner Jansen, Bloomia Tulip Growers
  2. King George County – Lorrie Gump
  3. Caroline County – John Hewa, Rappahannock Electric Co-op
  4. Caroline County – M.C. Dean, Inc.
  5. Spotsylvania County – Ginni Matern, Matern Staffing
  6. Spotsylvania County – Brian Shanle, Kalahari Resorts
  7. Stafford County – Vacant
  8. Stafford County – Ryan VanderWijst, Simventions Warfare Technology
  9. City of Fredericksburg – Jeh Hicks, Jarrell Properties
  10. City of Fredericksburg – Cori Blanch, Fredericksburg Main Street
  11. Liz Barber, Stafford County
  12. Gary Wilson, Caroline County
  13. Kevin Marshall, Spotsylvania County
  14. Matthew Smolnik, King George County
  15. Josh Summits, City of Fredericksburg
  16. Regional – Curry Roberts, Fredericksburg Regional Alliance
  17. Regional – Susan Spears, Fredericksburg Area Chamber of Commerce
  18. Regional – Jeff McClurken, Chief of Staff, University of Mary Washington
  19. Regional – Jan Gullickson, President, Germanna Community College
  20. Regional – Jackie Davis, Regional Workforce Board
  21. Military – Adam Lynch, Community Planning & Liaison Officer, Naval Support Dahlgren
  22. Military – Chris Landgraf, Quantico Community Plans and Liaison Officer (CPLO)
  23. State – Barbara Kirkwood-Taylor, Virginia Economic Development Partnership
  24. Agriculture – Dragan Kurbalija, Gardening Gays Farms
  •