Igniting a new corridor of innovation
Learn more about our leading initiatives:
Beyond Data Centers: The Economic Ripple Effect of Digital Infrastructure
Digital infrastructure ecosystem in Virginia creates a strong ripple effect throughout the economy by generating demand for a wide range of supporting businesses, from construction and engineering firms to equipment suppliers and maintenance providers.
These indirect jobs help grow Virginia’s workforce and stimulate economic activity well beyond the data centers themselves. Over time, this ecosystem also supports higher-skilled technical roles, strengthens local supply chains, and attracts additional investment from companies that rely on reliable, high-capacity digital infrastructure.
Watch some examples:
Acoustical Sheetmetal Co. CEO Margaret Shaia talks about how the Virginia Beach-based company has grown and added jobs largely because of Virginia’s digital infrastructure ecosystem.
ColonialWebb’s Nathan Wethington talks about how important Virginia’s digital infrastructure ecosystem is to the Henrico County-based company.
The I-64 Innovation Corridor’s
Economic Leapfrog Strategy
to Global Leadership
By 2035, the I-64 Innovation Corridor from Metro Richmond to Hampton Roads will stand as the world’s leading Global Internet Hub — setting the standard for how nearby regions join together to connect, power, secure, and transform data to drive productivity, innovation, and shared prosperity.
The 20th-century economy ran on coal and steel. The 21st-century economy runs on data – the raw material of innovation and the lifeblood of prosperity. Building on the assets and initiatives already underway, our vision is to become the world’s model Global Internet Hub – known for:
Powering Data
Connecting Data
Securing Data
Transforming Data Through AI
Ensuring Data Benefits All
Powering Progress:
Supporting digital infrastructure growth
A robust and growing digital infrastructure ecosystem supports world-class communications and connections for existing and new industries and their ever increasing technology needs. Modern digital infrastructure includes data centers, local terrestrial networks, internet exchanges connecting these networks, trunk lines to other localities, and subsea cables.
A powerful digital infrastructure ecosystem supports the growth of high-paying IT/Tech jobs and ensures the industries of tomorrow will locate and expand in the I-64 Innovation Corridor.
All of this will help grow our overall GDP, workforce, productivity per worker, wages, and, in turn, economic prosperity for all.
To deliver these benefits and more, RVA757 Connects supports investment in growing our digital infrastructure ecosystem, including the growth of data centers, in a way that we become one of the world’s recognized Global Internet Hubs.
Read our perspectives in these Op-Ed columns:
Data centers power our connected world, storing and processing the explosive growth of data from smart devices and AI technologies.
Learn more about why Virginia’s data centers are important in our modern lives, connecting people, enabling essential services like healthcare, education, and public safety, and driving innovations in all sectors of our economy.
Virtual Innovation Spotlight webinars
RVA757 Connects hightlights innovations taking place in the I-64 Innovation Corridor megaregion from the Metro Richmond to Hampton Roads through its monthly webinars called Virtual Innovation Spotlight.
The webinars are held on the first Wednesdays of every month (except for July and August) from noon to 1 p.m. The webinars are free, but registration is required.
Join us for our upcoming Virtual Innovation Spotlight webinar:
Innovating Toward Creating a Sustainable Groundwater Source for Eastern Virginia
Join us for a webinar on Wednesday February 4 at noon to learn about how HRSD (the Hampton Roads Sanitation District) is leading one of the most innovative and forward-thinking water initiatives in the nation – taking wastewater and turning it into clean water.
Relive the best of Convergence 2025:
Explore session videos, PowerPoint presentations, key insights, and photos from this year’s megaregional leadership gathering held November 18, 2025 in Williamsburg.
Our Purpose
Advancing economic prosperity and quality of life for everyone living in the Richmond region (RVA) and Hampton Roads (757).
Our Mission
Identifying, supporting, and advancing major initiatives, opportunities, and infrastructure projects that dramatically advance our two regions.
Latest RVA757 News
Stay up to date with our progress
Contact us.
For more information about our initiatives or to get involved, reach out to:
John W. Martin
President and CEO
Gregory J. Gilligan
Vice President of Operations
Adair Collins
Program Manager
Mailing Address:
2601 Floyd Avenue
Richmond, VA 23220
