Vision 2050
Overview
The BRIC region has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade and now faces a defining inflection point. It has emerged as one of Virginia’s major economic engines, demonstrating sustained growth and regional momentum. Yet this momentum brings structural challenges: workforce constraints, fragmented coordination, and an infrastructure system not fully aligned with the scale of growth underway.
At the same time, BRIC is positioned for a generational opportunity. The region has the assets, momentum, and industry mix to become a nationally competitive hub in advanced manufacturing, bio-life sciences, and defense innovation, strengthening its ability to attract talent, investment, and long-term growth.
Meeting this moment requires a megaregional approach. No single locality can achieve this scale alone. But together — Roanoke to Blacksburg, Martinsville to Danville — the BRIC region can operate as one unified economic platform. Vision 2050 provides the alignment, scale, and shared strategy required to compete nationally.
Vision 2050 is BRIC’s signature initiative, a megaregional blueprint defining the region’s long-term direction, competitive priorities, and the investments required to establish the BRIC region as a U.S. hub for innovation and advanced industry.
The effort will deliver a unified Implementation Playbook that integrates strategies for:
Advanced manufacturing
Life sciences and biotech
National security and defense innovation
Non-engineering infrastructure investment
Funding and financing
Regional connectivity and collaboration
This playbook will enable the region to compete more effectively for federal and state resources, leverage shared strengths, and build a connected innovation ecosystem capable of long-term economic prosperity.
Vision 2050 will be an inclusive, transparent, community-informed process, designed to strengthen competitiveness, accelerate innovation, and help the BRIC region achieve its full potential. We welcome everyone’s engagement in this transformational initiative.
Who Is Involved
BRIC is the central organizer and convener of the effort, supported by S.I.R. as the research project manager. More than 50 regional CEOs and institutional leaders form the BRIC Board.
The Vision 2050 Project Steering Team includes senior leaders from Virginia Tech, IALR, the Lester Group, SVRA, and others.
A 75+ member Steering Committee will be recruited in December and hold its first meeting in January 2026. This group will include local governments, EDOs, chambers, higher education, and business leaders.
Eddie Amos, Consultant
Brandy Salmon, Vice President for Innovation and Partnerships, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
James McClain, President and CEO, Southwest Virginia Gas Company
Jay Dickens, President and CEO, The Lester Group
Telly Tucker, President, Institute for Advanced Learning and Research
Clark Casteel, President and CEO, Danville Regional Foundation
Kate Keller, President, The Harvest Foundation
This structure ensures inclusive and informed engagement and broad representation across the entire megaregion.
Vision 2050 reflects a shared commitment from business, state, and philanthropic leadership, with funding support from the BRIC Board, GO Virginia, The Harvest Foundation, the Danville Regional Foundation, and additional regional partners, including Montgomery County, Botetourt County, Franklin County, Henry County, City of Martinsville, City of Danville, and Pittsylvania County.
The Process
Vision 2050 will be a year-long strategic research study that will culminate with an implementation plan.
Phase I – Setting the Vision and Organizing Funding (Fall 2025–Early 2026):
Establish Steering Committee, launch communications, inventory existing plans, initiate stakeholder engagement, and procure consultants.
Phase II – Strategy Development (Early–Mid 2026):
Consultant-led assessments and strategy development for key sectors, infrastructure needs, and funding pathways.
Phase III – Integration & Playbook (Mid–Fall 2026):
Synthesize all strategies into a unified Vision 2050 Implementation Playbook, launch public rollouts, and establish long-term governance.
The current project timeline:
2025: Stakeholder briefings, Steering Committee formation, research database
Early 2026: Launch workstreams, consultant procurement, meta-analysis
Mid 2026: Draft strategies released for review
Fall 2026: Final plan completed and public rollout
Post-2026: Ongoing implementation and dashboard reporting
Current Project Timeline
Key Resources
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GO Virginia State Board approves multiregional project focused on guiding the Blue Ridge Innovation Corridor
Announcements
BRIC Vision 2050 Request for Proposals
Ways to Participate
We invite everyone to directly participate in Vision 2050 in several ways:
Join a workstream once announced. Workstreams may include advanced manufacturing, life sciences/biotech, national security/IT, infrastructure, and funding/connectivity.
Participate in events, launch summits, and engagement sessions.
Provide reports or studies that should be included in the database to inform the overall project.
Sign-up for ongoing updates.
Provide your feedback and input at any time.