Virginia’s economic competitiveness depends on civic infrastructure

Virginia’s economic competitiveness will not be determined by incentives alone. It will depend on whether our communities have the systems in place to develop leaders, engage talent and respond effectively to disruption.

One of those systems is civic infrastructure.

Most workforce conversations focus on recruitment pipelines, credentialing programs and tax policy. Those tools matter, but they do not fully address how leadership skills are developed, how employees stay engaged or how communities mobilize in moments of strain.

When volunteerism is structured and coordinated, it builds leadership capacity, strengthens employee engagement and mobilizes experienced older adults. It also strengthens collaboration across business, government and nonprofit sectors. Without civic infrastructure, those benefits are uneven and short-lived. With it, they become sustained and aligned with broader economic priorities.

Civic infrastructure connects volunteer talent to real community needs, reinforces long-term goals and creates a framework for measuring impact. It ensures that service is not limited to isolated events but becomes part of a coordinated strategy that supports community stability and workforce development.

Employers regularly cite leadership development and engagement as key drivers of retention. Employees who serve in cross-sector settings strengthen communication skills, project management experience and problem-solving capacity. Those skills translate directly back into the workplace.

As Virginia’s population ages, experienced professionals represent a significant and often underused asset. Many seek meaningful engagement that keeps them active and connected. Strong civic infrastructure provides pathways for that participation, allowing seasoned talent to continue contributing in ways that support public agencies, nonprofits and local institutions.

The value of civic infrastructure is especially clear during crises. Natural disasters, public health emergencies and economic disruptions require rapid coordination of volunteers and resources. Without established systems, well-intentioned efforts can create confusion. With coordinated infrastructure in place, communities respond more efficiently and recover more quickly.

Business leaders understand the importance of infrastructure. Companies invest in supply chains and operating systems because sustained performance depends on coordination and alignment. Community engagement operates under similar principles.

Volunteerism without coordination tends to be episodic. Volunteerism supported by civic infrastructure becomes strategic.

If Virginia intends to remain competitive, civic infrastructure should be recognized as essential capacity rather than peripheral programming. Communities that invest in coordination, measurement and sustained alignment are better positioned to build resilience, retain talent and support long-term economic growth.

Economic strength rests on systems that work.

Civic infrastructure is one of them.

Jennifer Williamson is chief executive officer of Volunteer Fairfax and vice chair of the Virginia Service Foundation. She works at the intersection of business, government and nonprofit leadership across the commonwealth.