Winchester, Virginia, is known for its blend of history, culture and natural beauty, making it a popular destination for visitors and a vibrant community for its residents. The Winchester Metro Area is the fastest growing metro area in the state of Virginia, with its population growing at almost five times the rate of Virginia as a whole. In May, our Community Conversations team visited the Winchester area to learn more about their economic strengths and opportunities.

In April, President Tom Barkin, Regional Executive Matt Martin and Regional Economist Laura Ullrich met with local community and business leaders in North Carolina’s Surry and Yadkin counties to gain a fuller understanding of the economic strengths and opportunities facing the region as part of the Bank’s Community Conversations program.

From quaint storefronts offering a variety of gourmet peanuts to sprawling farms where generations have perfected their craft, this area has solidified its spot as an important part of Virginia’s agricultural economy thanks to its continued commitment to one of America’s favorite legumes. But as our Community Conversations team learned on a recent trip to Southeastern Virginia, the pull between maintaining a rural, small town feel and embracing the potential benefits of urbanization hangs in the balance.

The Richmond Fed Community Conversations team visited two South Carolina counties that are partnering with schools to prepare a skilled workforce.

The Richmond Fed Community Conversations team learned about the economic diversity in Virginia's Northern Neck during a recent visit.