Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats

SWOT ANALYSIS

Click on Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities or Threats to learn more about what makes the region poised for economic success and what makes economic success a challenge.  The Strengths and Weaknesses tend to be internal factors while the Opportunities and Threats tend to be external.

STRENGTHS

    • Quality of life
    • Natural beauty
    • History
    • Boat building hub
    • Water-based resources and agricultural-based assets, such as new or unique crops and products
    • Tourism (Ecotourism, Wine Trail, water sports)
    • Local seafood
    • Specialty foods made locally
    • Geographic proximity to DC, Richmond, and Tidewater
    • Influx of new residents as an effect of the pandemic
    • Rappahannock Community College
    • Northern Neck Technical Center and Governor’s STEM Academy for Agriculture and Maritime Studies
    • Effective Workforce Development Board
    • Broadband about to expand to cover the region
    • Strong regional organization (NNPDC)
    • Thriving small towns with dining and retail
    • Unique lodging, including a resort and bed & breakfasts
    • National Heritage Area Designation progress
    • Active Enterprise Zone Program

WEAKNESSES

    • Infrastructure – highway & bridges aging, failing, and/or in disrepair
    • Regional workforce needs to grow and to continue expanding skills
    • Limited public transit
    • Affordable housing – commute for most workers is 40-45 minutes
    • Water access – Few places to access the water 
    • Few restaurants or shops on the water
    • Public school system – needs upgrade
    • Exodus of youth 
    • In-migration of senior citizens and retirees, but not enough workforce-aged people
    • Manufacturing base is small
    • Low industrial building/site inventory 
    • More services could be added, such as shopping, healthcare facilities, lodging

OPPORTUNITIES

    • Remote Work/Work from Home will create proximity to distant metro areas
    • Enhanced communications will create increase in demand-driven training 
    • Attract & retain workers
    • Expanded Tourism Marketing to more distant and new markets to boost tourism
    • Develop more opportunities for Adventure Sports/Outdoor activities (e.g., zip lines)
    • Enhanced recreation – at Belle Isle and Westmoreland State Parks (awareness, programming); the new Compass Entertainment Complex; development of the Tri-Way Trail) 
    • Specialty/Niche Tourism – sport fishing, ecotourism, arts/culture, history
    • Proximity to Dahlgren Naval Base with small business opportunities
    • Mentoring and other input from new resident retirees with business experience
    • Specialty agriculture/farming – showcase farms; value-added products (not just raw materials); specialty foods made locally
    • Boat building/restoration & repair/storage
    • Grow County economic development staff
    • Digital Marketplace for local products
    • Boost entrepreneurship (Incubator, co-working space)
    • Business assistance, such as SCORE
    • Small business training in social media, website development, e-commerce, marketing, design
    • Attracting additional companies in industries like Engineered Wood Products and Warehousing/Logistics
    • Affordable housing for teachers and working class; more multi-family residences closer to or in town
    • Enhanced capacity of the Northern Neck Loan Program, and town revolving loan programs
    • VA Clean Economy Act of 2000 – solar farms, “Solar for Schools” program, renewable energy training
    • Guide to starting a business – easy and user friendly 
    • HUBZone designation for all counties until 12/31/2023

THREATS

    • Decline of water availability and quality due to levels declining and salinity rising
    • Aging septic systems
    • Frequent flooding
    • Reliance on seasonal agricultural workers
    • Need more food processing facilities
    • Protecting legacy of the “Working Waterfront”
    • Shortage of hotel rooms and the inability to handle bus tours 
    • Environmental regulation
    • Competition between commercial fishing industry & sports fishing 
    • Health Care – lack of specialty care for older residents causes an exodus to areas with more comprehensive health care 
    • Reduced sales tax capture – folks working elsewhere do most of their transactions (groceries, financial, etc.) outside the county
    • Location makes the Northern Neck communities susceptible to natural disasters and hazards