Why Act Regionally? Prosperity Economies compete on the basis of the type, quality and quantity of their fundamental assets including human resources (labor), physical assets (infrastructure) and intellectual assets (business, higher education). Such assets often span the boundaries of individual jurisdictions and make their impact felt throughout a region. Moreover, few localities sufficiently possess these necessary elements on their own. Hampton Roads is no different, exhibiting a high degree of linkage across localities. The quintessential Hampton Roads illustration of this principle is our transportation infrastructure. We are a region divided by water and stitched back together by bridges, tunnels and connecting roadways. Our economy benefits greatly from tourism and port activity. These drivers of our economy, along with others, will wither without a sufficient regional transportation system. Companies make investment, production, distribution and site relocation decisions based on the assets and qualities of the entire metropolitan area, even though their facilities are located within the administrative jurisdiction of smaller units of local government. Working together, cooperatively, to build the region’s fundamental assets is the best way to ensure their availability. Next: Opportunity >Read More