RIVERE Center Projected Economic Impact

Supported by a GO Virginia Region 6 planning grant, an independent economic impact study by Chmura offers a forward look at how the RIVERE Ecological Center could shape GO Virginia Region 6 between 2035 and 2045. The analysis projects more than 36 million dollars in average annual economic impact and nearly 200 jobs supported each year across the region. Over a decade, that translates into more than 416 million dollars in total regional impact and more than 2,200 jobs created or supported as the Center comes online and activity grows.

Envisioned for the Rappahannock riverfront in Fredericksburg, the Center is planned as shared infrastructure for regional impact. It will serve as a hub for ecological research, conservation, education, and ecopreneurship while revitalizing an underused site into a high value community asset. Thousands of K–12 students each year could experience immersive, hands on learning that connects classroom lessons to real river science and future STEM careers.

Projected highlights include:

• More than 36 million dollars in average annual economic impact

• Nearly 200 jobs supported each year across Region 6

• Thousands of K–12 students engaged through experiential learning

• Shared workspaces, labs, and convening areas that help partners do more together

Chmura’s findings show that RIVERE can provide durable, long term value by multiplying the impact of every dollar invested and strengthening the region’s economy, education pipeline, and watershed health.