OECD: “A catalyst for initiatives that advance regional economic vitality”

James Madison University’s economic footprint across the Shenandoah Valley and the Commonwealth is on the rise, and a key facilitator of that growth is the Office of Economic & Community Development (OECD), housed in the division of Research, Economic Development and Innovation. REDI recently spoke with OECD’s Bekka Harsh, OECD’s marketing and communications manager, to learn more about how OECD addresses community needs, builds relationships and grows opportunities.

Edited for length and clarity.

REDI: Introduce us to the Office of Economic & Community Development (OECD) at JMU.

OECD: The Office of Economic and Community Development at JMU fosters partnerships and connections that strengthen the talent pipeline, support innovation and enhance community quality of place. By bringing together university, business and community partners, OECD serves as a catalyst for initiatives that advance regional economic vitality.  

REDI: How does OECD support student success and workforce development?

OECD: OECD works with students in a variety of ways, including hosting interns and Presidential Engagement Fellows each semester.

OECD plans and facilitates the biennial Shenandoah Valley Collaborative Economic Summit. This event brings together nearly 200 business leaders, local government officials, nonprofit organizations, educators and community partners from across the region to explore regional issues and opportunities, including workforce development. The office also hosts workshops that engage community partners in this and other relevant topics.

REDI: Any upcoming events we should add to our schedules?

OECD: Shenandoah Valley Collaborative Economic Summit — November 19, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. at the JMU Festival Conference and Student Center. Learn more: SV Economic Summit

REDI: OECD offers what kinds of professional and research development opportunities to faculty and staff? How can faculty and staff become more involved in the work being done by OECD and its affiliates?

OECD: Research to Impact (R2I) is a service-oriented office within JMU OECD whose mission is to amplify the impact of student and faculty research and innovation by connecting innovators to an ecosystem of opportunities and resources across the JMU community and beyond. R2I primarily works with faculty on grant-funded and industry-sponsored research and with students on capstone-project related research. In addition to publication, R2I can support maximizing the impact of innovation through a product spinout, licensing, experiential learning, application expansion and more.

OECD convenes the University Economic Development Council (UEDC), which brings together university stakeholders whose work supports university-based economic engagement across three dimensions — talent development, innovation and placemaking. By creating opportunities for information sharing and fostering collaboration among members, the UEDC strengthens the network of practitioners who help advance the university’s economic and public impact.

UEDC members played a key role in JMU’s application for the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities’ Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation and advance progress toward goals in the IEP growth and improvement plan. This program helps JMU identify and understand its strengths in economic and community engagement while also providing a roadmap for enhancing impact through specific goals and objectives.

REDI: For community and industry partners interested in building a relationship with the university, where should they begin? What does that relationship-building process look like?

OECD: Our office engages with community and industry partners in many ways, from grant opportunities to workshop implementation to connection with student and faculty research. Have an idea for connection or just want to explore the possibility? Connect with us! Reach out to our office via email at econdev@jmu.edu or connect with one of our people directly: OECD People

REDI: Tell us more about The Collabratory and JMU’s role at the Harrisonburg Innovation Hub. Does having a centrally located space increase the possibility of partnerships with local businesses?

OECD: The Collabratory, JMU’s anchor space at the Harrisonburg Innovation Hub, serves as a bridge where the university and community come together. More than a meeting space, The Collabratory is a free, community resource available to faculty, students, entrepreneurs, nonprofits and local organizations who are looking to foster connections, spark ideas and showcase the value of having a nationally recognized research university right here in the Shenandoah Valley. Whether gathering for a workshop, networking event or brainstorming session, The Collabratory is a space for the community. From July 2025 to June 2026, The Collabratory hosted 83 events, which helped to actualize more than 1,000 intentional networking connections between JMU partners and community members.