Accomac, VA — March 30, 2026 — Resilient Virginia has released the first Regional Resilience Roadmap for Central and Southwest Virginia, marking the culmination of nearly three years of research and engagement with regional leaders and residents. The Roadmap highlights the region’s key strengths and challenges while offering actionable strategies to help communities address emerging risks and build long-term resilience.

This effort was launched in 2023 through the Resilient Virginia Collaborative Alliance in response to a recognized need for increased resilience investments in rural and under-resourced communities. In 2025, the initiative engaged more than 100 participants — both in person and virtually — across 11 Planning District Commissions through a series of facilitated workshops.

Developed through extensive cross-sector collaboration with local, regional, and state governments, businesses, academic institutions, and community stakeholders, the Roadmap serves as a comprehensive resource and structured framework to support decision-making across sectors. It offers data-driven insights and practical tools to help communities proactively plan for and respond to a range of environmental, economic, and social challenges.

“Central and Southwest Virginia needs this roadmap now more than ever. Numerous and evolving threats, including extreme temperatures and precipitation, local government capacity constraints, and economic and workforce challenges, create complex obstacles for the region.”
— Greg Steele, Virginia’s Chief Resilience Officer

The Roadmap identifies key areas of opportunity and vulnerability across the region and outlines strategies that can be adapted to meet local needs. By fostering cross-sector collaboration and encouraging proactive planning, it aims to build capacity and enhance resilience at the local and regional levels across inland Virginia.

Resilient Virginia will continue to build on this work by supporting implementation efforts, expanding partnerships, and developing additional resources to meet the evolving needs of communities throughout the Commonwealth.

The Regional Resilience Roadmap for Central and Southwest Virginia is available online at resilientvirginia.org/roadmap/.

About Resilient Virginia

Resilient Virginia is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing resilience planning and implementation across the Commonwealth. Through partnerships, research, and capacity-building initiatives, Resilient Virginia works to equip communities, businesses, and institutions with the tools and knowledge needed to adapt to change and thrive in an increasingly complex environment.

Media Contact

Trish Porter
Director of Programs and Communications
Resilient Virginia
trish@resilientvirginia.org