RICHMOND, VA—The Virginia Manufacturers Association announced today that the Virginia Small Business Development Center (Virginia SBDC) has joined the Made in Virginia Program as a core public sector partner, expanding the program’s services to include no-cost, expert business advising for manufacturers across the Commonwealth.
Virginia SBDC joins Made in Virginia partners—the Manufacturing Skills Institute, Spatial Integrated Systems (a Siemens Platinum Sell and Service Expert Software Partner), ERA Group, and the Reshoring Initiative—in delivering coordinated workforce, technology, cost optimization, and reshoring support to Virginia manufacturers.
Led by the Virginia Manufacturers Association, the Made in Virginia Program is a statewide initiative that helps manufacturers reshore operations, strengthen supply chains, reduce costs, and compete more effectively through coordinated support for workforce, technology, and innovation. The addition of Virginia SBDC significantly enhances the program’s ability to support manufacturers at every stage of growth.
Manufacturers are facing increasingly complex challenges, from accessing capital and navigating new markets to bringing innovative products to market. With the addition of Virginia SBDC as a Made in Virginia partner, the VMA is expanding direct access for its members to trusted, no-cost expertise that helps translate strategy into action.
“The growth of the Made in Virginia Program reflects what our members have been asking for—practical, coordinated support that helps them compete, grow, and make long‑term investments in Virginia,” said Brett Vassey, VMA President & CEO. “By expanding our public‑private partnerships and adding Virginia SBDC’s expertise, we’re ensuring manufacturers have access to the strategy, capital guidance, and commercialization support they need to turn opportunities into results.”
Expanded Services for VMA Members
Through the Made in Virginia Program, Virginia SBDC will provide confidential, one‑on‑one advising at no cost to participating manufacturers, including:
Market Intelligence & Growth Strategy: Virginia SBDC will deliver actionable market research to support strategic growth decisions, including market selection, new market entry, competitor analysis, regulatory and certification research, and international business planning. Engagements range from comprehensive strategy studies to targeted research projects addressing specific business needs.
Access to Capital & Financial Coaching: Manufacturers will receive individualized financial coaching to assess capital requirements, evaluate financing options, improve cash‑flow planning, and prepare financials for lenders and investors.
Innovation & Commercialization Support: Virginia SBDC will connect manufacturers with mentors and commercialization resources that reduce the time and risk associated with bringing new products, processes, or technologies from concept to market.
Business Planning & Operational Support: Additional advisory support will focus on business planning, marketing, operational improvements, and risk mitigation, aligned with the broader Made in Virginia support ecosystem.
A Growing Public‑Private Partnership
The addition of Virginia SBDC strengthens the Made in Virginia Program’s public‑private partnership model, which already includes workforce development, digital manufacturing, cost optimization, reshoring analysis, and supply chain security services delivered through strategic partners.
With this expansion, Virginia manufacturers gain access to an integrated support network that addresses strategy, workforce, technology, capital, and commercialization through a single, coordinated initiative.
Click to learn more about the Made in Virginia Program or set a meeting with Wes Smith or Chase Barnett.
About the Virginia Manufacturers Association (VMA)
The Virginia Manufacturers Association (VMA) is the unified voice of Virginia’s manufacturing sector, advocating for public policies that strengthen the Commonwealth’s business climate and supporting manufacturers through a wide range of workforce, professional development, and business services. The VMA works to advance a competitive manufacturing economy by engaging industry leaders, policymakers, and partners to ensure manufacturers in Virginia can innovate, grow, and succeed.
To learn more about how the Mason SBDC can help you, visit: Home – Mason SBDC
