Weldon Cooper Center
Public service org at UVA building good governance across the Commonwealth.
Homepage | Cooper Center
Homepage | Cooper Center
The UVA Weldon Cooper Center provides valuable data and services to communities, governments, and public sector leaders.
Open Positions
Practitioner Fellow in Democracy in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America | Research at University of Virginia
Practitioner Fellow in Democracy in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America | Research at University of Virginia
Make a Donation
www.givecampus.com
www.givecampus.com
I celebrated the Sorensen Institute’s 30th anniversary by giving! Join me today.
Meet our new Director
Eric Scorsone | Cooper Center
Eric Scorsone | Cooper Center
Apply to one of our programs
Community-Based Facilitation Training | Cooper Center
Community-Based Facilitation Training | Cooper Center
Details for Foundations of Community-Based Facilitation training offered by UVA's Institute of Engagement & Negotiation.
High School Leaders Program (HSLP) | Cooper Center
High School Leaders Program (HSLP) | Cooper Center
Based on our experience that young people can make a positive difference in their communities, Sorensen engages Virginia high school students in public policy challenges facing the Commonwealth and prepares them for civic leadership.
LEAD: Leading, Educating and Developing | Cooper Center
LEAD: Leading, Educating and Developing | Cooper Center
Leading, Educating, and Developing (LEAD) is a dynamic and engaging one-week residential leadership development program designed for local government department heads and supervisors.
Local Government Equity Clinic | Cooper Center
Local Government Equity Clinic | Cooper Center
SEI: Senior Executive Institute | Cooper Center
SEI: Senior Executive Institute | Cooper Center
Senior Executive Institute (SEI) is a residential professional development leadership program, for local government executives and department directors of large localities. It provides strategies to build and support resilient, agile, and high-performing governmental operations.
News
Columbus will become second-largest data center hub in the Great Lakes region, report says | WYSO
Columbus will become second-largest data center hub in the Great Lakes region, report says | WYSO
As of 2024, 525 data centers were located in eight states around the Great Lakes region. That's a fifth of the nation's data centers and hundreds more are planned.
Republican data center bill set for State Assembly vote
Republican data center bill set for State Assembly vote
Experts said states such as Wisconsin need to have strict regulations for large scale data center projects.
Virginia's Economic Forecast, October 2025 | Cooper Center
Virginia's Economic Forecast, October 2025 | Cooper Center
A quarterly economic forecast for the Commonwealth of Virginia, created by the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service.
Opinion | Surprising reasons Americans relocate - The Washington Post
Opinion | Surprising reasons Americans relocate - The Washington Post
The tranquility and safety of suburban and rural areas increasingly appeal to many movers.
Connect Series: Federal Downsizing and Regional Impact - UVA Northern Virginia
Connect Series: Federal Downsizing and Regional Impact - UVA Northern Virginia
Join Clark Mercer, Eric Scorsone, and Alex Orfinger to hear more about the impact of changes in the federal government on important economic sectors in the DMV.
Government shutdown could hurt Virginia workers
Government shutdown could hurt Virginia workers
A government shutdown would mean some civilian federal workers and members of the military in Virginia would work without pay and possibly lead to air travel disruptions.
Federal Budget Realignment and Implications for Virginia
Federal Budget Realignment and Implications for Virginia
Virginia sees uptick in homeschooling
Virginia sees uptick in homeschooling
Virginia saw a jump in the number of children who were homeschooled in the 2024-2025 academic year, according to the Virginia Department of Education.
HUD to move to Virginia as Trump seeks to ‘rightsize’ federal presence in D.C.
HUD to move to Virginia as Trump seeks to ‘rightsize’ federal presence in D.C.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will move to a building in Alexandria that currently houses the National Science Foundation.
Register for the Leadership and Professional Development Webinar
Register for the Leadership and Professional Development Webinar
Musk left government. Will Democrats lose their bogeyman?
Musk left government. Will Democrats lose their bogeyman?
Democrats are debating whether Musk’s power as a foil will endure as his alliance with President Trump ends.
‘Lagging’ forecast for Virginia’s economy as feds point to shrinking GDP
‘Lagging’ forecast for Virginia’s economy as feds point to shrinking GDP
Report warns of deep hit to Virginia’s economy, citing federal government cuts - WTOP News
Report warns of deep hit to Virginia’s economy, citing federal government cuts - WTOP News
Economic forecast predicts loss of 32,000 Virginia jobs this year
Economic forecast predicts loss of 32,000 Virginia jobs this year
Virginia's Economic Forecast, April 2025 | Cooper Center
Virginia's Economic Forecast, April 2025 | Cooper Center
Federal Workforce Briefing #3: 3.20.25 | Cooper Center
Federal Workforce Briefing #3: 3.20.25 | Cooper Center
Reston Community Center (RCC) Community Survey | Cooper Center
Reston Community Center (RCC) Community Survey | Cooper Center
Reston Community Center (RCC) Community Survey | Cooper Center
Reston Community Center (RCC) Community Survey | Cooper Center
Virginia’s Economy Looks Good now, but What About Tomorrow?
Virginia’s Economy Looks Good now, but What About Tomorrow?
State of the Community 2025
State of the Community 2025
Grammatical Redundancy in Scales: Using the “ConGRe” Process to Create Better Measures - Leah Alley, Imran Kadolkar, Alisha Gupta, Jose M. Cortina, Kurt P. Winsler, 2024
Grammatical Redundancy in Scales: Using the “ConGRe” Process to Create Better Measures - Leah Alley, Imran Kadolkar, Alisha Gupta, Jose M. Cortina, Kurt P. Winsler, 2024
Virginia's Economic Forecast | Cooper Center
Virginia's Economic Forecast | Cooper Center
The Design Trend Taking Over Rural America
The Design Trend Taking Over Rural America
JLARC Report: Data Centers in Virginia | Cooper Center
JLARC Report: Data Centers in Virginia | Cooper Center
Rail expansion will benefit the economy
Rail expansion will benefit the economy
Neighbors oppose private school in Albemarle’s rural area
Neighbors oppose private school in Albemarle’s rural area
Solar Database | Cooper Center
Solar Database | Cooper Center
Energy storage projects slated for Greensville, Pittsylvania - Virginia Business
Energy storage projects slated for Greensville, Pittsylvania - Virginia Business
Virginia agribusinesses shoring up ahead of 2024 election
Virginia agribusinesses shoring up ahead of 2024 election
Why young people continue to flee big cities even as pandemic has faded
Why young people continue to flee big cities even as pandemic has faded
Since the pandemic, young adults have fueled the revival of small towns and rural areas
Since the pandemic, young adults have fueled the revival of small towns and rural areas
For new generation of Virginia farmers, it’s adapt or wither
For new generation of Virginia farmers, it’s adapt or wither
Northern Virginia's population decline is a problem for the whole state
Northern Virginia's population decline is a problem for the whole state
www.vaco.org
www.vaco.org
As region diversifies, Hispanics lead Winchester's population growth
As region diversifies, Hispanics lead Winchester's population growth
FACT SHEET: Two Years In, the Inflation Reduction Act is Lowering Costs for Millions of Americans, Tackling the Climate Crisis, and Creating Jobs | The White House
FACT SHEET: Two Years In, the Inflation Reduction Act is Lowering Costs for Millions of Americans, Tackling the Climate Crisis, and Creating Jobs | The White House
Trump’s plan to upend federal workforce could rattle DMV economy
Trump’s plan to upend federal workforce could rattle DMV economy
Fed poised to cut interest rates, but will it matter to voters?
Fed poised to cut interest rates, but will it matter to voters?
U.S. Population Will Grow Bigger and Get Older
U.S. Population Will Grow Bigger and Get Older
Petersburg home prices soaring since 2020
Petersburg home prices soaring since 2020
New population estimates will determine tax revenue to schools
New population estimates will determine tax revenue to schools
New data shows prices are going down
New data shows prices are going down
6 Ways to Encourage Political Discussion on College Campuses
6 Ways to Encourage Political Discussion on College Campuses
Richmond's growing pains: A midsize city tries to keep its "cool" as newcomers move in
Richmond's growing pains: A midsize city tries to keep its "cool" as newcomers move in
It Takes More Than a Village
It Takes More Than a Village
Roanoke Valley’s first hospice house prepares for fall opening
Roanoke Valley’s first hospice house prepares for fall opening
The small town life beckons for many as Americans continue to flee big cities
The small town life beckons for many as Americans continue to flee big cities
Virginia Solar Summit
Virginia Solar Summit
Riding the silver tsunami - Virginia Business
Riding the silver tsunami - Virginia Business
Fires have consumed nearly 20,000 acres in Va. this spring. That could be good for the environment. • Virginia Mercury
Fires have consumed nearly 20,000 acres in Va. this spring. That could be good for the environment. • Virginia Mercury
Neighborhood Design Districts being eyed to focus future development in Winchester
Neighborhood Design Districts being eyed to focus future development in Winchester
Danville is attracting new residents at a rate few other places in Virginia are
Danville is attracting new residents at a rate few other places in Virginia are
GCPS requests additional $2 million for FY25
GCPS requests additional $2 million for FY25
Reimagining Main Street for the remote work revolution
Reimagining Main Street for the remote work revolution
BeHeardCVA Results | Cooper Center
BeHeardCVA Results | Cooper Center
Virginia Solar Summit
Virginia Solar Summit
New Census data: exurban Virginia is growing
New Census data: exurban Virginia is growing
Chesapeake Public Schools plans for future growth
Chesapeake Public Schools plans for future growth
Rising Costs Of Living Affect Elderly Residents
Rising Costs Of Living Affect Elderly Residents
The Boomers Who Tried Moving to Florida and Ended Up in Appalachia
The Boomers Who Tried Moving to Florida and Ended Up in Appalachia
Study: JMU Has Big Impact
Study: JMU Has Big Impact
Isle of Wight now Virginia’s sixth fastest-growing county, Weldon Cooper data shows - Smithfield Times
Isle of Wight now Virginia’s sixth fastest-growing county, Weldon Cooper data shows - Smithfield Times
Keeping suburbia at bay: Fauquier drew a line in the sand on sprawl but growth creeps closer
Keeping suburbia at bay: Fauquier drew a line in the sand on sprawl but growth creeps closer
As region's population decreases, Montgomery County bucks the trend
As region's population decreases, Montgomery County bucks the trend
Weldon Cooper projects 7% growth in Surry enrollment through 2029 - Smithfield Times
Weldon Cooper projects 7% growth in Surry enrollment through 2029 - Smithfield Times
Study shows JMU provides significant economic benefits to Harrisonburg, the Shenandoah Valley and Virginia
Study shows JMU provides significant economic benefits to Harrisonburg, the Shenandoah Valley and Virginia
New Legislation Aiming to Inject Competition Into Virginia's Offshore Wind Market Could Spark a Reexamination of Dominion’s Monopoly Power - Inside Climate News
New Legislation Aiming to Inject Competition Into Virginia's Offshore Wind Market Could Spark a Reexamination of Dominion’s Monopoly Power - Inside Climate News
Bird watching & video games: Prince William supervisors show human side, pledge unity at board retreat
Bird watching & video games: Prince William supervisors show human side, pledge unity at board retreat
Harsher summers and young workers leaving could test Arlington in coming decades, panelists say | ARLnow.com
Harsher summers and young workers leaving could test Arlington in coming decades, panelists say | ARLnow.com
Is a Pennsylvania Groundhog’s Prediction Accurate in Your Neck of the Woods?
Is a Pennsylvania Groundhog’s Prediction Accurate in Your Neck of the Woods?
StatChat: How school enrollment trends have changed in a post-pandemic Virginia | Cooper Center
StatChat: How school enrollment trends have changed in a post-pandemic Virginia | Cooper Center
www.energy.virginia.gov
www.energy.virginia.gov
www.norfolk.gov
www.norfolk.gov
UVA’s Cooper Center Integrating Into the Karsh Institute of Democracy
UVA’s Cooper Center Integrating Into the Karsh Institute of Democracy
Flood Resilience Initiative
Flood Resilience Initiative
Lenowisco and Southside Flood Preparedness
Lenowisco and Southside Flood Preparedness
Apply to LEAD
Apply to LEAD
HSLP Application
HSLP Application
Learn More About HSLP
Learn More About HSLP
Greater Good Initiative
Greater Good Initiative
Podcast
Podcast
Carsons Interview
Carsons Interview
Alex Moreno Podcast Episode
Alex Moreno Podcast Episode
Alex Moreno Washington Post Article
Alex Moreno Washington Post Article
Impact Report
Impact Report
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