Virginia Tech Center for Economic & Community Engagement

09/01/2026

The Center for Economic and Community Engagement will conduct a study, led by Elli Travis, for Dickenson County and the Town of Clintwood to assess the viability of a community kitchen.

Officials hope combining the research will reveal how a commercial kitchen could boost local food businesses, allow farmers to process surplus crops for off-season sales, support caterers, and assist with local emergency or hot food delivery programs.

Read more: link in comments!

08/27/2026

Through an Appalachian Regional Commission READY grant, the Center for Economic and Community Engagement is partnering with the Workforce Development Foundation to strengthen the network of workforce and community partners serving the New River/Mount Rogers region, particularly those supporting job seekers who are facing barriers to employment.

Last week, CECE’s Ashley Crouse and Elli Travis brought together people in workforce, education, social services, and economic development for an interactive workshop to explore how organizations connect, share information, make referrals, and coordinate services.

The workshop identified strengths and gaps in the network and opportunities to improve access to services.

08/25/2026

Four CECE graduate assistants in the Master of Urban and Regional Planning program gained real-world experience taking the lead on a consequential project that gave Virginia Cooperative Extension new ways to communicate their value.

Read more: Link in comments!

08/17/2026

Meet a Vibrant Virginia Council Member: Lisa McNair.

Lisa McNair has worked at Virginia Tech since 2005 and serves as the deputy executive director for the Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology - ICAT as well as a professor in the Department of Engineering Education.

Learn more about Lisa: Link to Q&A in comments!

08/13/2026

Congratulations Mallory Tuttle on this well-deserved award!

Congratulations, Mallory Taylor Tuttle for achieving the BRAVO! A Celebration of Leadership Hampton Roads Chamber ICON Award!

The Hampton Roads ICON Award was created to recognize a young professional from greater Hampton Roads whose career and community service is widely regarded as an example of excellence. The recipient of this award is a pacesetter in his or her industry who has achieved significant accomplishments

08/12/2026

Please join us in welcoming our newest team member, Jory Woods!

Jory’s work at CECE will be focused on supporting Alleghany Thrives, a multi-year effort to strengthen the economy and quality of life in the Alleghany Highlands.

Before joining CECE, Jory served as a Tadler Fellow working with Buchanan County’s Industrial Development Board to help develop projects and secure funding.

Read more in a Q&A with Jory: Link in comments!

08/06/2026

What if a bike ride could take you through Virginia’s history? 🚲

A Virginia Tech public history project is transforming U.S. Bicycle Route 76 into an immersive experience that connects cyclists and travelers with the stories, people, and communities that define the Commonwealth.

Through podcasts, digital maps, and local partnerships, researchers are preserving history while encouraging exploration.

Read the full story: https://news.vt.edu/articles/2026/08/outreach-cece-us-bike-route-76.html

08/04/2026

08/03/2026

The Octagon House stands as one of Southwest Virginia’s most distinctive historic landmarks, offering a unique window into the region’s architectural, cultural, and social history.

A video explores the ongoing efforts to document and preserve the house through modern technologies such as LiDAR and 3D scanning, while also examining its significance within the broader story of Smyth County.

CECE, in collaboration with the Community Design Assistance Center at Virginia Tech, the Virginia Tech Institute for Policy and Governance, and the Virginia Tech Southwest Center, worked on a project to help the Octagon House apply for grants to complete the restoration of the building, finance program development, and add a wedding and event venue, visitor’s center, and lodging and dining services.

Learn more about the Octagon House: Link to video in comments!

07/31/2026

A STEaM Tech outreach program is helping young learners see transportation not simply as something they use, but as a complex system they can understand, question, and help improve.

Led by the Virginia Tech Grado Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering, the project was funded by Vibrant Virginia, support that enabled the laboratory team to translate its transportation and human-automation research into a hands-on educational program for students and community participants.

Read more: Link in comments!