President & CEO Bryan K Stephens attended the Hampton Roads Caucus meeting prior to the General Assembly's Special session and presented the Chamber’s Special Session Legislative Priorities.  Virginia was named the #1 State To Do Business by CNBC two years in a row.  Stephens discussed the categories, ranking, and scores that allowed Virginia to be the first state to win back-to-back titles as “America’s Top State for Business”. He encouraged the legislators to be mindful of any legislation that might impact our #1 ranking including anything impacting the cost of doing business which Virginia ranked #26. 

On June 23^rd, 2021, Governor Ralph Northam issued a proclamation calling the members of the General Assembly into a special session on Monday, August 2, 2021. A special session is necessary to fill judicial vacancies and allocate more than $4.3 billion in federal relief funding. This is a unique opportunity to utilize the American Rescue Plan Act funding to fast-forward the recovery of our economy and provide a new opportunity for growth to continue Virginia’s back-to-back titles as “America’s Top State for Business.” The Hampton Roads Chamber has focused on three main priorities: Tourism and Hospitality Recovery, Unemployment Insurance, and Assist Small Businesses.