Rise and shine, Lynchburg Region!
Kick off your morning with energy and inspiration at our quarterly Business at Breakfast? A signature gathering designed to connect, inform, and celebrate the heart of our regional business community.

Join us on Wednesday, January 14 at the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance for a morning built around meaningful connections and practical takeaways. Whether you're a longtime entrepreneur, a rising professional, or someone newly stepping into the business landscape, this event offers an environment to broaden your network and strengthen your foothold in the region.
SNOW DATE: JANUARY 21, 2026

Topic: Overview of Data Center Development in Virginia
Full Agenda: Click Here

Today's breakfast is the kick-off for "Virginia's Emerging Industry Summit - Discover the Future of Data Center Growth," which will extend after breakfast until 2 PM for a series of extended workshop sessions, lunch and keynote covering the state of the data center market, site readiness and construction challenges, local government considerations, legislative outlooks, and the actual community benefits tied to this rapidly expanding sector. Panels include top voices from state agencies, localities, and the data center industry. Registration for the breakfast doesn't include the full summit, want to attend the full summit please visit the event page and select "Virginia's Emerging Industry Summit Discover the Future of Data Center Growth in Our Region with Siting & Readiness Workshop" which includes this breakfast, extended sessions, lunch and keynote. 

Join us for an essential briefing on the evolving world of data centers and what their growth means for communities like ours. This session will offer a clear, practical look at current trends, economic impacts, infrastructure needs, and common misconceptions. Whether you're a business leader, policymaker, or simply curious about how data centers shape regional competitiveness, this conversation will give you the facts you need to stay informed. 

Featuring keynote insights from Vince Barnett Industry Leader - Data Centers, Strategic Projects and Lead Generation with Virginia Economic Development Partnership and Chris Lloyd, Director, Infrastructure & Economic Development, McGuireWoods Consulting on the evolving landscape of data center development across the entire Commonwealth.

Meet the Speakers

Vince Barnett serves as the Industry Leader - Data Centers at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, where he provides leadership and his data center expertise for the wider benefit of the Commonwealth. 

Prior to this role in June 2022, Barnett served as VEDP's Vice President of Business Investment where he worked with Virginias regional and local economic development organizations to identify and convert high-potential leads and prospects into project opportunities, managed site selection projects, and supported business retention and expansion activities for existing firms. Prior to that, Barnett served as VEDP?s Vice President of Communications and Promotions, where he directed VEDP?s marketing, advertising, and communications outreach programs to build awareness of the desirability of Virginia as a business location. Barnett served more than seven years in the United States Air Force and the Virginia Air National Guard, with assignments at Ramstein Air Base in Germany and Incirlik Air Base in Turkey.


Chris Lloyd leads McGuireWoods Consulting’s infrastructure and economic development team where he specializes in site selection and economic development incentives negotiations. Since 1998, Chris has worked on dozens of high profile, corporate expansions and relocations across the country. Chris has also worked closely with clients on numerous public-private partnership projects for transportation and other infrastructure, and played a leading role in the development and passage of Virginia’s public-private partnership laws, which have since become model legislation for use in other states. Prior to joining McGuireWoods Consulting, Chris served for nearly five years in the Office of the Secretary of Commerce and Trade under Virginia Governors Allen and Wilder. In this position, he was responsible for legislative, budgetary, and regulatory coordination and development within that Secretariat which managed the state’s economic development programs. Chris graduated from the College of William & Mary in 1993. He lives in Richmond with his wife, Megan, and children.
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Why You Should Attend Business at Breakfast

• Connect with the Regions Best
• Welcome New Members
• Hear from Inspiring Guests
• Get Exclusive Updates
• Enjoy a Delicious Breakfast

What You’ll Gain from Lynchburg Region's Emerging Industry Summit

• A clear understanding of the data center market and growth outlook

• Insight into site readiness, infrastructure, and construction challenges

• Guidance on local government considerations and legislative trends

• Real examples of the economic and community benefits tied to this industry

Virginia's Emerging Industry Summit is coordinated by


     

 
Hurt & Proffitt, McGuire Woods, Central Virginia Planning District Commission & Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance
 

Thank you to our Chairman's Circle Investors!