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Wallace Research Park council adopts framework and tasks staff to flesh out strategic priorities
Summary
The Wallace Research Park Leadership Council voted to task staff to develop and return with fleshed-out strategic priorities centered on a three-part framework—"Promote, Support, Expand"—to guide infrastructure, marketing and workforce work at the park. Staff will present a finalized product at the next meeting Feb. 25, 2026.
The Wallace Research Park Leadership Council voted at its quarterly meeting on Nov. 17, 2025, to task staff with developing a formal set of strategic priorities aimed at supporting existing tenants, expanding the park’s capabilities and raising its market profile.
Chairman Parks summarized the framework he proposed: "take care of the current customers, increase funding, looking at state and federal, growing the park, and developing name recognition and marketing," and urged staff to organize tactical work under the three-word formula he offered—"Promote, Support, Expand." The council approved a motion directing staff to flesh out the priorities and return with a finalized product at the next meeting.
Why it matters: staff presented a set of actionable items the council can use to achieve the strategic goals, including infrastructure development (temporary-structure paths, a NASA lease access road), a concept-plan refresh to update 11-year-old assumptions, pursuing grants and financing (including work tied to Virginia Economic Development Partnership programs) and a coordinated marketing program connected to the county’s economic-development materials. Council members said the priorities should be grounded in the park’s founding legislation.
Staff noted legal and reporting contexts that shape the council’s scope. In discussion the staff opened the formation code referenced in the packet (referred to in the meeting as "2403.2") and highlighted language supporting workforce and education development with Eastern Shore Community College. "That code section... could also be the basis for some of your strategic priorities," a staff member said.
Members emphasized workforce and marketing coordination. The council discussed partnering with Eastern Shore Community College on talent development (machining, manufacturing, UAS/aerospace technician pathways) and producing marketing products—offering memos, GIS-based site maps and conference materials—so Accomack County and the park are represented at trade shows and industry events.
The council directed staff to: complete a more formal strategic document built on the Promote/Support/Expand framework; run a SWOT analysis to ground decisions; and prepare a deliverable the council could adopt. The motion to task staff was moved by Chairman Parks and seconded; the council approved it by voice vote.
Votes at a glance: - Allow remote participation for Council member Dr. Minas — moved by David Pierce, seconded by Chet (Chesterfield); outcome: approved (voice). - Adopt agenda — moved and seconded; outcome: approved (voice). - Adopt minutes of 09/08/2025 — moved and seconded; outcome: approved (voice). - Task staff to develop and refine strategic priorities (Promote/Support/Expand) — moved by Chairman Parks; seconded; outcome: approved (voice). - Adopt 2026 meeting schedule (Wednesdays: Feb. 25, May 27, Aug. 26, Nov. 25 to be shifted) and 1:00 p.m. start time — moved and seconded; outcome: approved (voice).
What’s next: staff will return with the refined strategic priorities and supporting tactical documents at the next quarterly meeting, scheduled for Feb. 25, 2026. The council also asked staff to research potential real estate/marketing firms and report back on possible procurement options.
Attribution: direct quotes and attributions in this story come from participants during the Nov. 17, 2025 Wallace Research Park Leadership Council meeting; speakers include Chairman Parks and staff who presented the documents.
