SUFFOLK, Va. — Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger today announced her new “Growing Virginia Plan” focused on growing Virginia’s economy and creating job opportunities for Virginians across every corner of the Commonwealth.

Spanberger’s announcement comes as Virginia’s economic strength is under threat. New data released last week by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that Virginia was the only state to see its unemployment rate rise in June. Earlier this month, Virginia lost its #1 ranking on CNBC’s “America’s Top States for Business” rankings — due in part to a drop in the state’s “Economy” ranking and the Trump Administration’s federal job cuts “disproportionately” impacting Virginia’s economy.

At Tidewater Community College’s Center for Workforce Solutions in Suffolk, Spanberger laid out a new slate of policy priorities focused on building an economy that brings new opportunities to Virginia businesses and workers. Alongside local business and education leaders, Spanberger laid out the three pillars of her plan — growing Virginia’s workforce, growing business investment in Virginia, and growing Virginia’s trade opportunities. Spanberger also made clear how, as Governor, she will continue to be clear-eyed about the challenges facing Virginia’s economy amid threats from Washington.

Today’s announcement comes after Spanberger earlier this year announced her Affordable Virginia Plan to lower healthcare, housing, and energy costs for Virginia families.

“If Virginia’s leaders support our talent here at home, our skilled workforce will continue to drive growth within the Commonwealth and attract private investment and major employers to Virginia. But Virginia needs more than a skilled and prepared workforce to attract and grow investments,” said Spanberger during the event. “Virginia needs a leader who understands what brings new businesses to Virginia and promotes growth in Virginia — strong infrastructure; affordable childcare, housing, and healthcare; and strong, nation-leading public schools. As Virginia’s next Governor, I will work aggressively to promote Virginia as the best state in the country to do business.”

Spanberger continued, “The Trump Administration’s tariffs are making it impossible for businesses to plan for the future, putting pressure on families who are already feeling more strain on their wallets, and killing Virginia jobs. Amid this chaos, Virginia needs a Governor who is focused on strengthening our trade relationships and finding new markets for Virginia exports — not cheering on potential trade wars or hoping it will all work out. Hope is not a strategy.”

Spanberger was joined by Bert Dodson, President and CEO of Dodson Pest Control — a family-owned company that has been operating in Virginia since 1944. Dodson spoke about how Virginia needs a Governor who understands the challenges facing the Commonwealth and listens to the needs of Virginia’s business owners and their employees.

“Like so many Virginia business leaders, I recognize that right now in 2025, we are in a moment of significant uncertainty — particularly because of the decisions being made in Washington. We are seeing tariffs drive up costs for companies and consumers, and we are seeing politicians in Washington not doing anything to lower costs at home for our employees” said Dodson. “Abigail Spanberger is a leader who believes in doing what is right — and she knows the right thing to do is to focus on creating jobs, making Virginia a more affordable place for families, and preparing the next generation of Virginians for success in their careers.”

Dodson continued, “We have seen two different approaches during this coming election. We have seen Congresswoman Spanberger talk about the economic, kitchen-table, real issues facing Virginia. We have seen her build a mission for the future, just as any candidate for Governor should do. But her opponent has not done any of that.”

Spanberger was also joined by Delegate Nadarius Clark (HD-84), who spoke about how she will work to lower costs for Virginia families and support family-sustaining jobs for Virginia workers.

“Here in Suffolk, we need a partner in Richmond who is equally serious

about growing Virginia’s economy and helping Virginians to succeed. That leader is Abigail Spanberger,” said Clark. “She is the only candidate who is talking about the everyday challenges facing Virginia’s economy — and the only candidate with a real plan to create good-paying jobs, attract new investment, and support Virginia businesses. While the Trump Administration is driving up costs, Abigail will actually work to make Virginia more affordable and help local businesses thrive.”

Spanberger’s Growing Virginia Plan will grow Virginia’s workforce by:

• Responding to current workforce shortages — particularly in the areas of healthcare, education, and manufacturing.
• Boosting pathways to registered apprenticeship programs for middle and high school students.
• Expanding access to paid internships, so that Virginia students can get meaningful, career-ready experiences.
• Increasing dual enrollment opportunities for high school students.
• Standing with Virginia workers who are impacted by chaos in Washington.
• Preparing students in middle and high school with real-world applications of skills in high-demand and emerging industries.
• Making it easier for Virginians to map potential career paths and connect with employers.
• Reducing barriers to work — including establishing a paid leave program and increasing access to affordable childcare — and supporting the creation of high-paying jobs.

Spanberger’s Growing Virginia Plan will grow business investment in Virginia by:

• Demonstrating to new or expanding businesses why Virginia is the best place to start or grow their operations.
• Making sure locations across Virginia are prepared for businesses interested in coming to or expanding in Virginia.
• Leveraging the unique strengths and addressing the challenges of regions across Virginia — and bolstering partnerships between entrepreneurs, institutions of higher education, and industries.
• Providing support for small businesses to start and grow in Virginia — including minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses.
• Boosting tourism in Virginia to stimulate economic growth and jobs.

Spanberger’s Growing Virginia Plan will grow trade opportunities for Virginia businesses by:

• Help Virginia’s farmers and number-one private industry, agriculture, expand their markets.
• Supporting the Port of Virginia and the jobs it creates in Hampton Roads — as well as the industries it supports across the Commonwealth.
• Helping Virginia small business owners market and sell their products abroad.
• Committing to being a stable trading partner with other countries.
• Leveraging all tools available to protect Virginia companies from chaos in Washington.
• Reinforcing Virginia’s role as a global leader in the fields of national security, defense, shipbuilding, and cybersecurity, due to Virginia’s significant military presence.

Click here for more information outlining Spanberger’s “Growing Virginia Plan.”

BACKGROUND

Spanberger has long prioritized lowering costs for Virginia families and protecting the Commonwealth’s economy.

After Virginia fell from its spot as “America’s Top State for Business” — due in part to the outsized impact of the Trump Administration’s federal job cuts on Virginia’s economy, Spanberger made clear her commitment to protecting Virginia’s economy as the next Governor of Virginia.

As a Member of Congress, Spanberger built a record of working with both Democrats and Republicans to invest in Virginia’s physical infrastructure — and has been a champion of policies that have created more jobs for Virginians, including the bipartisan infrastructure law.

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