Greater Williamsburg

We understandably have the widest range of programs near the main campus and in the Greater Williamsburg area. Governments in the area have expressed interest in diversifying their economic bases, including more emphasis on technology-based companies. They have also expressed interest in the economic vitality of the urban core around the W&M campus. William and Mary is collaborating in that strategic planning process.

The William and Mary Foundation is a partner in the development of the 300-acre New Town mixed use community adjacent to the west end of campus. The College is a collaborator in the Discovery Center.  The Discovery Center is a joint initiative of the College of William & Mary Office of Economic Development, the College of William & Mary Technology and Business Center, the William & Mary Research Institute, Thomas Nelson Community College Workforce Development, and the James City County Office of Economic Development.  Staff members from the organizations represented actively work to identify mutually beneficial econonomic development and workforce development projects.  In addition, Thomas Nelson Community College  has two high-technology classrooms in the Discovery Center that are used to conduct regional workforce development training.  We hope to use that Discovery Center as a catalyst for broader economic development collaboration.

The Technology and Business Center has helped to coordinate a program of business education outreach classes and seminars in conjunction with the Mason School of Business, the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance, and the economic development offices of the City of Williamsburg, James City County, and York County.  The classes are taught by our top professors in each field.  Recent topics have included Web-based Marketing, Financial Planning, Strategic Planning, Business-to-Business Marketing and Surviving the Credit Crunch.

Powerpoint overview of the Greater Williamsburg Project.

William and Mary’s economic and community outreach plan for 2008-2009 includes the following elements:  (Annual Report Update)

• Continue support for the Sharpe program (the Sharpe Community Scholars Program offers approximately 75 students the opportunity to connect their academic studies with community engagement) and student volunteer activities.
• Collaborate with the City of Williamsburg to promote economic development associated with the College on the campus perimeter, to include planning for expanded student retail opportunities and planning for placement of the School of Education on the vacated Sentara Hospital site.  Initiate a strategic plan for the extended campus perimeter.
• Develop collaborative economic development and workforce development programs with the James City County Office of Economic Development and Thomas Nelson Community College through the Discovery Center.
• Support marketing activities by the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance, the City of Williamsburg, James City County, and York County to attract knowledge-based companies to the area.
• Collaborate with the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance to create action plans to address the regional workforce challenges.
• Partner with the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance to deliver business outreach courses and seminars.
• Mentor companies in the James City County incubator and continue to engage Business School faculty in developing support modules and providing direct consulting services.
• Engage faculty, particularly in the School of Business, with regional companies through W&M's Community Outreach Research Program (CORP) and funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce EDA grant.
• Chair monthly CEO Forum meetings and provide CEOs of local technology companies the opportunity to discuss and analyze complex business issues.
• Develop white papers that highlight areas of economic opportunity for Greater Williamsburg.
• With the Office of Student Volunteer Services and the SHARPE Community Scholars Program, develop a concepual student leadership development program modeled after Leadership Historic Triangle.