The Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC) generated $22.7 million in total economic impact and supported 170 jobs across the region in Fiscal Year 2025, according to a study conducted by Chmura Economics & Analytics (Chmura).
SVHEC, a state agency and institution of higher education, serves as a central driver of economic vitality, workforce readiness, and community well-being across southern Virginia. Its mission is to advance southern Virginia’s economic potential through education, innovation, and collaboration.
SVHEC commissioned Chmura to conduct the FY2025 economic impact study to quantify its economic, fiscal, and labor market contributions across the region. The analysis confirms that SVHEC’s educational programs, operational spending, and community engagement generate measurable value for residents, employers, and public institutions.
In addition to generating $22.7 million in total economic impact, SVHEC’s operations, capital expenditures, student spending, and visitor spending contributed $588,919 in state and local tax revenues in FY2025.
“This study affirms the meaningful impact SVHEC is making in the Southern Virginia region,” said Dr. Charlette T. Woolridge, SVHEC Executive Director. “By aligning our programs with industry demand and strengthening partnerships, we are expanding opportunities for individuals, supporting employers, and advancing the region’s long-term economic vitality.”
Beyond its economic contributions, SVHEC plays a critical role in strengthening the region’s talent pipeline in high-demand fields, including healthcare, information technology, industrial maintenance, automation and robotics, HVAC, and welding. By aligning training with employer needs, SVHEC helps close skills gaps, support business expansion, and improve long-term career mobility for southern Virginia residents.
Key workforce trends highlight this alignment:
- Welding-related jobs grew 2.5% annually over the past three years—more than double the regional employment growth rate of 1.2%.
- HVAC-related occupations grew 3.6% annually, with strong demand for electricians, maintenance technicians, and repair workers.
- IT technician-related jobs grew 2.3% annually, with demand for support specialists, systems administrators, and healthcare technicians with IT skills.
- Nursing-related occupations grew 2.3% annually, signaling continued need for trained healthcare professionals.
“SVHEC continues to be a critical asset for Southern Virginia, driving economic growth while preparing a skilled workforce to meet the evolving needs of regional employers,” said SVHEC Board Chair Jeffrey Davis. “These results reinforce the importance of sustained investment in education and workforce development.”
Research consistently identifies skilled labor availability as a top factor in business location decisions, ranked “very important” by more than 90% of executives. SVHEC’s industry-aligned training programs strengthen the regional workforce and support business attraction and retention by reducing turnover, stabilizing operations, and improving employer competitiveness.
The impact of SVHEC is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. Southern Virginia is entering a period of economic expansion fueled by major industrial investments and increasing demand for skilled workers in healthcare, technology, and advanced manufacturing. Notably, Hitachi Energy is investing $457 million to expand its power transformer production facility in South Boston, creating 825 new jobs.
With current and emerging workforce programs aligned to these trends, SVHEC is well-positioned to remain a central driver of regional economic vitality, talent development, and community well-being.