Virginia’s rapid population growth over the past three decades has been uneven, creating demographic winners and losers, and masks several demographic headwinds that will constrain future growth and competitiveness if left unaddressed, including slowing rates of total and foreign-born population growth, white population decline, deaths of despair, and declining labor force participation among prime working age males and females in the state. A Whole Community Health Approach—strategically addressing the social determinants of health at the distressed community level—and advocacy for family- and immigrant-friendly workforce policies, procedures, and practices are required to properly address the labor needs of newly recruited businesses and ensure the success of Governor Youngkin’s Compete to Win Comprehensive Economic Development Plan.
Professor of the Practice, Impact Investment and Sustainable Finance, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School
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