Valley Innovation Alliance (VIA), a 501(c) 3, was created to continue the efforts of the Workforce Innovation and Regional Economic Development (WIRED) grant initiative awarded under the Department of Labor (DOL).

Under this initiative, VIA works to strengthening workforce preparedness in the Tennessee Valley’s targeted industries and high-growth fields – biotechnology, nanotechnology, engineering, information technology, and advanced manufacturing while integrating workforce development activities.

VIA serves two main tenants:

• Short Term – to help with BRAC related issues
• Long term – to build our own labor pool in the Tennessee Valley

In order to do this VIA focuses on three main goals:

1. Regional Collaboration and Partnership – Connecting regions, technologies and industries to build a regional network that maximizes regional assess to achieve and sustain an economic advantage.
2. Cultivating cluster-based STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) competencies – Increase the size and quality of the Tennessee Valley workforce necessary to support and grown the targeted industry sectors by developing and educational pipeline that promotes careers in these industries, prepares students for successful careers at all levels and enables lifelong learning.
3. Entrepreneurism/Technology Transformation – Create and entrepreneurial climate that encourages, supports, and finances business development and growth in our targeted industries working through partnerships.