Gov. Youngkin calls for a”back to basics approach” on Wednesday
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ABINGDON, Va. (WJHL) — Governor Glenn Youngkin called for a “back to the basics” approach to economic development during a visit to Southwest Virginia on Wednesday.
“One of the priorities for all of us is to unleash economic opportunity through Virginia, especially Southwest Virginia,” Youngkin said.
Youngkin participated in several “listening” sessions across the region, ending the day with one focused on economic development at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon. Youngkin was joined by members of the Southwest Virginia delegation, including Delegate Israel O’Quinn (R- Bristol, VA), Senator Todd PiIlion (R-Abingdon), Senator Travis Hackworth (R-Richlands), Delegate Terry Kilgore (R-Gate City) and Delegate Jonathan “Jed” Arnold (R-Marion).
Youngkin kicked off the event by recounting the conditions when he was elected—with Virginia third in the nation in job growth and 150,000 people leaving the workforce, the governor said. Youngkin said he’s focused on making conditions more favorable for businesses, investing in education and making Virginia a desirable place to live.
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“The basics work, and we just have to continue to stay focused on them,” Youngkin said.
Youngkin encouraged local leaders to take the initiative in capturing manufacturing opportunities as companies move back into the United States.
“We gotta go grab it,” Youngkin said.
The governor’s visit comes after the LENOWISCO planning district released a study that would guide local governments as they consider adding small modular reactors. The report noted the region’s potential to benefit from the growing nuclear sector by leveraging the workforce and industrial sites formerly used by the coal mining industry.
Youngkin continued to support SMRs and investment in “clean” coal, renewables, and gas.
“We’ve done some really great work on the “all of the above” approach to energy,” Youngkin said.
Lawmakers highlighted projects they say will transform the region economically, including the effort to bring passenger rail service back to Bristol, VA and the inland port.
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