UMW Forms Economic Development Office

The University of Mary Washington has announced the creation of the University Center for Economic Development and its intent to award a contract to the Fredericksburg Regional Alliance to support the university’s regional economic development efforts. 

The university issued a request for proposals March 2, 2011, to identify a partner in the field of economic development and research. UMW sought a vendor with experience in economic development principles, in working with governmental organizations, and in gathering local business intelligence. The successful bidder was asked to demonstrate governmental experience at the local, state, and federal levels as well as international experience in order to partner with UMW to establish the University Center for Economic Development.

The Fredericksburg Regional Alliance responded to the university’s request. A UMW selection committee evaluated the FRA proposal, making the recommendation for selection on June 10.

The Fredericksburg Regional Alliance is a public/private economic development marketing partnership created to provide CEOs, presidents, corporate real estate executives, and site selection consultants with a single source for comprehensive demographic, economic, and commercial real estate information on the Fredericksburg, Virginia region — which includes the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford.

The university is awarding the contract under terms that will increase partnership activities over the course of the next five years. The partnership activities are expected to begin during the fall semester.

UMW’s Vice-president for Economic Development and Regional Engagement, Meta Braymer, will lead the new unit.  The new center will be located in Eagle Village, and will include the UMW Small Business Development Center.  Its primary role will be to assist the regional jurisdictions in their efforts to promote the economic development of the region by functioning as a central point of contact to tap the intellectual capital of UMW faculty and students, particularly in the College of Business and the economics department while capitalizing on the previous development activities that have been created by the Fredericksburg Regional Alliance.