In its centennial year, NVC isn’t just celebrating history; we’re seizing the moment to redefine and strengthen Northern Virginia’s economy for the next 100 years. In partnership with Accenture, NVC has officially released the NOVA Roadmap: A Call to Action for Northern Virginia’s Economic Growth — a strategic framework designed to steer the region through a critical moment of transformation and into a resilient, diversified future.
“Northern Virginia has long been a powerhouse, but we’re at a defining moment. The old playbook won’t secure our future,” said Julie Coons, President & CEO of NVC. “We must lead with intention, invest in our strengths, and build a more diversified economy that is not only prepared for change, but drives it.”
Since its founding in 1925, NVC has been at the forefront of business advancement across the region. The Chamber has played a leading role in championing transformative infrastructure and institutions that have shaped the regional economy, from launching Dulles International Airport and Metro to advocating for the creation of George Mason University. For a century, NVC has driven progress on key business issues such as transportation, innovation, and regulatory modernization, all with a single goal: making Northern Virginia the best place in the country to do business.
That mission has paid off. Since its inception in 2007, Virginia has been named CNBC’s America’s Top States for Business a record six times, more than any other state. While the Commonwealth currently ranks number four overall, it remains number one in education and number two in infrastructure. Northern Virginia is also home to the nation’s number one data center market, a distinction that underscores the region’s global connectivity and digital dominance.
But the ground is shifting. Federal spending cuts, rising economic uncertainty, and intensifying global competition have exposed the need for a new, coordinated approach. That is where NOVA Roadmap comes into play.
NVC President and CEO Julie Coons (center, in pink) is joined by NVC’s Board Chairman, members of the Strategic Leadership Board of Advisors, NOVA Roadmap early investors, and researchers from Accenture.
NOVA Roadmap Identifies Four Strategic Priorities:
- Reinvent the Economy: Diversify into emerging sectors like AI, quantum computing, biotech, semiconductors, and space; expand tech hubs; modernize digital infrastructure; and prepare the workforce for tomorrow’s jobs.
- Cultivate Affordability for Our Workforce: Make Northern Virginia an affordable place to live, work, and raise a family by prioritizing attainable housing and accessible, high-quality childcare.
- Attract Sustained Investment: Modernize foundational systems — from tax policy to land use — to remove barriers and make the region a magnet for high-growth industries.
- Tell Our Powerful Story: Rebrand Northern Virginia as a destination of choice for future-focused businesses and talent by highlighting its unique strengths.
“Northern Virginia stands at a critical crossroads. Through this Roadmap, we’re helping chart a bold path forward — one that leverages the region’s strengths in innovation, including artificial intelligence, while addressing its vulnerabilities. This effort aims to drive inclusive, technology-driven growth that secures a more sustainable economic future for all,” said David Metnick, Accenture Public Service Lead for Virginia.
To ensure a measurable impact, NOVA Roadmap will launch a regional Economic Development Index. This data-driven tool will track progress on business attraction, workforce transitions, industry diversification, and equitable growth outcomes.
Learn more about how your organization can get involved with NOVA Roadmap: Book a time to talk with NVC’s Vice President of Membership, Jared Sloane.
