Wednesday, November 18, 2026 | 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM | Holiday Inn & Conference Center, 20 Sanford Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22406
Stafford County Economic Development Summit
From Strategy to Action: Building Stafford’s Future Together
The Stafford County Economic Development Summit is a gathering of business leaders, developers, educators, investors, elected officials, and community partners committed to shaping Stafford’s future.
Earlier this year, the Stafford County Board of Supervisors adopted a new Economic Development Strategic Plan designed to strengthen the local economy while advancing the priorities that matter most to our residents. Now, the focus shifts from planning to implementation.
This summit marks the first public discussion of the Strategic Plan with the community leaders and organizations that will play a vital role in its success.
Attendees will gain insight into Stafford’s economic priorities, learn about upcoming opportunities for investment and collaboration, hear from regional thought leaders, and engage directly with county leadership and partner organizations.
More importantly, participants will discover how they can become involved in implementing the plan and help shape initiatives related to workforce development, business growth, site readiness, infrastructure, entrepreneurship, placemaking, and community prosperity.
Whether you are an employer, educator, developer, lender, investor, or community leader, your perspective matters.
Join us as we move from vision to action and build Stafford’s future together.
Light refreshments will be provided.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
- Real estate agents and commercial brokers
- Developers
- Investors and bankers
- Educators and workforce development professionals
- Government officials and policymakers
- Business leaders and entrepreneurs
WHAT YOU’LL GAIN
- A first look at strategic implementation priorities
- Access to county leaders and partner organizations
- Insight into future economic opportunities
- Connections with regional decision-makers
- Opportunities to influence and support implementation efforts
- Resources available to help businesses grow and succeed in Stafford County
Meet the Speakers
Chris Lloyd
Chris Lloyd leads the McGuireWoods Consulting infrastructure and economic development team where he specializes in site selection and economic development incentives negotiations. Since 1998, Chris has provided holistic site selection and incentives negotiation services to dozens of high profile, corporate expansions and relocations across the country. Chris has also been the principal architect of state public-private partnership legislation now used around the country to speed infrastructure development as well as authored successful legislation to modernize state economic development agencies. As a result of this work, Chris is a frequent speaker on the intersection of economic development best practices and policy. 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 two children.
Anne Jensen
Anne Jensen is a Consultant at Fourth Economy, where she transforms research and analysis into actionable strategies that help communities build equitable, resilient futures. She specializes in blending qualitative and quantitative insights to guide clients through the day-to-day challenges of economic and community development. Anne’s expertise includes housing and economic development planning, racial disparity analysis, and data storytelling using tools such as GIS mapping and visualization to clarify complex regional dynamics. Her work bridges local context with national best practices to help communities act decisively toward inclusive growth. At Fourth Economy, Anne has contributed to major initiatives across the country, including the Economic Mobility Strategies for Nashua, New Hampshire and Gresham, Oregon, where her work helped local leaders design practical pathways to address poverty, improve access to opportunity, and strengthen community partnerships. She also supported the York County Economic Development Five-Year Update, advancing strategies that connect housing, workforce, and business growth, and contributed to the Stafford County Economic Development Strategy, where her analysis informed approaches to sustainable infrastructure, transportation, and talent attraction.