Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin joins Board of Trade members for Regional Policy Leadership Series conversation 

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin joined the Greater Washington Board of Trade for its Regional Policy Leadership Series sharing insights with the business community about his administration’s milestones and goals heading into the end of 2023. 

The Board of Trade’s conversation with Governor Youngkin around transportation covered WMATA/Metro ridership, the American Legion Bridge, and the Perimeter Rule surrounding Reagan National Airport. As Northern Virginia’s population grows, as will its transportation efforts, which Youngkin says is a testament to decades of “innovative thinking” by state transportation officials. 

The Governor also addressed Virginia’s 2024 Budget negotiations that are taking place in the Virginia General Assembly and expressed that the tax cuts he proposed in the budget go together with helping boost the state’s economy. There is speculation that a special session could be called so that Virginia lawmakers can work to pass a 2024 Budget. 

Growing the level of workforce talent in the Greater Washington region is a crucial value for the Board of Trade, and Governor Youngkin shared how his administration is meeting the level of commitment needed to make sure Virginia is helping to grow a stable workforce. He shared that the latest Virginia jobs report shows 175,000 more people are working in the Commonwealth since January 2023, and that the state’s labor participation rate has returned to a 10-year high. The Governor has also recently charged Virginia’s Secretary of Labor, Bryan Slater, with starting the Virginia Workforce Development Transformation Stakeholder Advisory Group, which Board of Trade President & CEO, Jack McDougle, has been appointed.  

Data centers are also a big topic for businesses and residents in Northern Virginia. Governor Youngkin addressed the region’s viability for data centers, and how technology investments are essential for the state. He shared how Virginia’s deal with Amazon Web Service is keeping the state competitive in the power/energy market with its neighboring states. The Board of Trade is committed to growing technology to help advance regional competitiveness and create solutions to regional problems.  

Governor Youngkin also spoke with the Board of Trade about public safety, education, childcare, and affordable housing, and how all these factors have impacts on Virginia’s workforce talent.  

Youngkin ended his conversation with the Board of Trade expressing that he was optimistic about the direction of the Commonwealth and the value his administration brings to the region’s business community.  

We are excited to work with the Governor and all elected and appointed officials in Virginia to help grow economic sustainability in the Greater Washington region. It is a critical part of the Board of Trade’s mission to give our members the opportunity to convene with the region’s elected and appointed officials. We look forward to hosting more Regional Policy Leadership Series webinars in 2023. 

This Regional Policy Leadership Series webinar was presented by McGuireWoods Consulting LLC and McGuireWoods LLP. Supporting Sponsors of the event series are Comcast, First National Bank, Giant Foods LLC, G.S. Proctor & Associates Inc., Holland & Knight LLP, and MGM National Harbor. Thank you for supporting the Greater Washington Board of Trade and our region’s business community.   

Check out Board of Trade events here: https://www.bot.org/events/