Economic Development 2025: HART III, H. GARRETT

Hart has more than four decades of experience in economic development and currently serves as vice president for the Virginia Economic Developers Association’s board of directors. Under his leadership, Chesterfield has landed big deals such as the $1 billion Lego Group manufacturing facility under construction in the county’s Meadowville Technology Park. In 2024, his department assisted with and announced nine projects with a combined capital investment of $5.75 billion that are anticipated to generate 1,090 jobs.

A science lover, Hart was especially psyched about the December 2024 announcement that Commonwealth Fusion Systems plans to build the world’s first grid-scale commercial fusion power plant in Chesterfield, a $3.18 billion project expected to create 350 jobs. Hart always thought fusion sounded like “the solution” to the world’s energy needs but didn’t think he’d ever see it happen. “To have it come in my lifetime and to be part of it is just incredible,” Hart said.

A graduate of Virginia Tech, Hart is also an alum of Lead Virginia.

ON INTEGRATING AI: It is the next great business revolution. You will integrate it into your business or you will be left behind.

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