Virginia Spaceport Authority Hosts the Center for Rural Virginia for their Annual Board Meeting and a tour of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport
Wallops Island, Virginia. August 8, 2025 – The Virginia Spaceport Authority (VSA) proudly welcomed the Center for Rural Virginia (CFRV) for their annual board meeting and an exclusive tour of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on August 8, 2025. The event served as a chance for the CFRV to discuss the collaboration between rural economic development and the evolving space industry, particularly on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Kristie Proctor, the Executive Director of the Center for Rural Virginia, played a vital role in coordinating and executing the visit.
Key leaders from Virginia’s state government were in attendance, including CFRV Chair Senator Creigh Deeds and Vice Chair Senator Emily Jordan. In addition, local leaders, Mike Mason, Accomack County Administrator, and Ann Doyle, Director of Planning at the Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission, joined the meeting to present relevant information on rural communities in their represented counties. Also presenting was Dave Pierce, Director of NASA Wallops Flight Facility, who contributed valuable insights.
Roosevelt Mercer Jr., Maj Gen, USAF (Ret), VSA CEO and Executive Director was requested to present at the Board meeting, and his presentation highlighted the impact VSA has on the Commonwealth’s economy. Mr. Mercer described how VSA has made a significantly positive impact on Virginia’s economy year after year and the exciting new activities going on at the spaceport.
Following the Board meeting, the CFRV members were given an exclusive tour of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport.
The Virginia Spaceport Authority remains committed to providing a positive economic impact. In 2023, the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority (“The Virginia Spaceport Authority”) commissioned the ODU Dragas Center for Economic Analysis and Policy to conduct a study of the economic impact of the Wallops Island Aerospace Cluster (WAIC). The results show that the WIAC’s economic impact increased significantly from 2018 through 2022, continuing to have a positive impact on Virginia’s economy.
Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority (Virginia Spaceport Authority) is a political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia and owns and operates the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) located at Wallops Island, Virginia, USA. VSA’s mission is to provide assured access to space by operating, maintaining, and growing a premier spaceport, stimulating aerospace-related economic development in the Commonwealth, and promoting educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
Media Contact:
Lillian Palmbach
Chief of External Relations
757- 837-3304
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