The Albemarle Economic Development Authority has endorsed another grant application for CvilleBioHub, an organization seeking to grow the biotechnology sector in the Charlottesville area.
“The forthcoming Manning Biotechnology Institute, BioLaunch Charlottesville Biotechnology Lab Accelerator, and the growth projections of several local biotechnology companies ensures the future vibrancy of this sector,” reads a draft letter of support for CvilleBioHub’s application for a $250,000 grant from a state agency that shepherds workforce development in the Commonwealth. (view letter on cvillepedia)
The biotechnology sector is a key target industry for Albemarle and one of the major focuses of the county’s Office of Economic Development. A key ingredient to grow the sector is to make sure there are skilled workers for what the letter describes as “successful candidates for the hundreds of advanced manufacturing, laboratory, and research jobs projected.”
GO Virginia is a quasi-government organization that advances business interests across the Commonwealth through workforce development and other programs. Earlier this year, the EDA backed another grant from GO Virginia and provided a $300,000 match but This latest grant application is for the GO Virginia Talent Pathways Initiative program.
“This is $250,000 available to create a planning grant around priority talent needs in our region,” said Shannon Holland, the director of GO Virginia Region 9 which covers a wide geographic stretch from Charlottesville to Fauquier County.
Nikki Hastings, CEO of CvilleBioHub, said work continues to bring an accelerator program online but there are concerns from some players that the workforce is not ready for what will happen in the future.
“We just continue to hear the need for understanding the talent needs and the growth potential, especially with the Manning Institute of Biotechnology coming online,” Hastings said. “What do we need to be preparing our workforce for now so that we can serve the growth that’s anticipated as a result of the things that are happening? The accelerator being a part, just a small part in that, in that work.”
The study will help to inform job training efforts so that people who live here can be hired to assist in the sector in all sort of roles. For instance, principal investigators need support staff to run laboratories. Hastings said the training will also help private companies like Bonumose, Rivanna Medical, and Agrospheres find skilled employees.
“What we’re planning to do is work with a consulting firm,” Hastings said. “TEConomy Partners is very well versed in the biotech space.”
Hastings said there could be as many a thousand jobs available as activity in the sector ramps up. She said economic development officials in Charlottesville and Greene County are interested in the results of the study. Piedmont Virginia Community College is providing space for a discussion to take place as part of the study.
Emily Kilroy, Albemarle’s new economic development director, said the county has a chance to prepare the workforce before the Manning Institute of Biotechnology comes online in late 2026 or early 2027. Ground was broken earlier this year at UVA’s Fontaine Research park.
“A Manning Institute doesn’t come all the time,” Kilroy said. “You don’t always know that you’re going to have a major employer emerge and we have the opportunity of time to develop the workforce.”
At the conclusion of Kilroy’s report, the Economic Development Authority went into closed session to discuss Project Olympian, a public-private partnership.
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