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Gateway Connector
The online newsletter for Virginia's Gateway Region
March 2022
Update from the President & CEO
Friends of the Gateway Region, February 2022 was an historic month not only for the world, but for Virginia’s Gateway Region. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and its President & CEO Thomas Barkin, for visiting our region to update the VGR Team and our partners on the U.S. economy amidst the uncertainties occurring around the globe, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Mr. Barkin spoke at a luncheon hosted by VGR at the Keystone Antique Truck and Tractor Museum in Colonial Heights. He gave us a sense of hope while speaking realistically. He said the U.S. economy is strong enough and inflation is high enough that adjusting interest rates towards levels they were at pre-pandemic is possible. He pointed out how the nation’s economy is already larger than it was before COVID-19 entered our lives. Concluding how we are 21 months into the quickest recovery in our memory, Mr. Barkin pointed to the Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing cluster in Petersburg

Now, that is an asset which produces goods, rather than services, which sets VGR apart in a very impactful way for our communities in the Gateway Region, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States of America. And we should all be very proud of that. 

As always, I’m interested in hearing from you. Should you have any questions, please contact me at: +1 (804) 732-8971 or kboswell@gatewayregion.com.

You may also contact Amy Everett, at:
+1 (804) 704-0268 or aeverett@gatewayregion.com.
Fed still likely to raise rates, despite Russia-Ukraine...

Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President and CEO Thomas Barkin said Thursday that he hopes to bring interest rates up to pre-pandemic levels "relatively quickly," while noting that it's hard to predict the future effect of the geopolitical...

Read more
www.virginiabusiness.com
VGR Immediate Past Board Chairman Recognized  
Victor Branch, RVA's 1st Black President of Bank of America

Whether forming business partnerships or serving on nonprofit boards, Victor Branch is known for stepping up to help make a difference for Black Americans in Richmond. He is the first Black President of Bank of America in Virginia's state capital ...

Read more
www.blackenterprise.com
Stay Tuned to the VGR Pharma Blog Series 
PHARMA CLUSTER TO PRODUCE REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPENT...

~ While AMPAC Fine Chemicals, alone, is creating excellent jobs in the Gateway Region, the entire Pharma Cluster combined is bringing hundreds of good paying jobs to the area. ~

Read more
www.gatewayregion.com
Why VGR? 
Interested in events like our luncheon with the President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond? Want to be more involved in our Region? You can be an active participant in our mission of Transformative Growth for the Gateway Region by becoming our partner in economic development. Contact Amy Everett, at: aeverett@gatewayregion.com or call +1 (804) 704-0268.
More News from February 





Petersburg Chamber of Commerce membership signs off on merger with Colonial Heights — Gateway Region
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