The Hampton Roads Alliance is the leading regional economic development organization for the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. It is a public-private partnership funded by Hampton Roads’ localities and the private business community.

In 2022, the Alliance partnered with 13 Hampton Roads’ localities and nearly 70 private investors. The Alliance hired Convergent Nonprofit Solutions (Convergent), a leading fundraising consulting firm, who conducted an investor satisfaction survey and feasibility study for the Alliance to prepare the organization for a new 5-year capital campaign beginning in 2023. Convergent concluded in its feasibility report that a region of our size needs closer to 120 private investors and approximately $8-10 million in private sector support.

The Allies in Economic Development campaign is a five-year strategic plan that positions the Alliance as a high-performance regional economic development organization acting as a catalyst for growth and collaboration. The campaign aims to fund the delivery of its 2023-2027 strategic plan, designed to accelerate regional economic growth through three goals, each supported by several strategic initiatives and tactics.

Everything the Alliance does impacts its ability to develop, recruit, and retain talent.

As of December 31, the Alliance is proud to represent 14 localities who, with the support of nearly 100 private-sector investors, guide, and resource the organization and its regional economic development efforts. The campaign total, including written pledges, strong verbal commitments, and in-kind investments, amounts to $7,731,260 from 98 investors. There are 19 pending "asks," totaling an additional $2,080,000. The Alliance believes that the final pledge tally, assuming follow-up efforts and solicitations continue throughout 2024 could potentially reach over $9.7 million by the end of 2024 for the 5-year campaign total.

By investing in the Alliance’s five-year plan, companies help the region advance toward its collective goals, aiding existing businesses that foster regional growth, and forging relationships with other leaders committed to the region.

2023 marked the best year for the Hampton Roads Alliance in 25 years, as far as projects, jobs, and total capital investment. By connecting existing businesses to vital resources and recruiting new companies, the Alliance fulfills its mission to encourage capital investment and create new, high-paying jobs in Hampton Roads. The Alliance is also the region’s chief marketing organization for economic development, working to enhance name recognition and the visibility of Hampton Roads both domestically and internationally.

The Alliance plans to continue soliciting new investors on an ongoing basis throughout 2024 and beyond so it may continue to have adequate funding to fulfill its strategic goals and growing initiatives. The Alliance’s ambition is to become an invaluable resource to the Hampton Roads business community. Private-sector involvement in the Alliance is essential because businesses create jobs, not government.