Virginia’s New River Valley needed a modern economic development website that matched the strength of its universities, advanced industries, and growing technology sector. The previous site lacked the visual impact, navigation clarity, performance speed required to support business attraction and talent recruitment. Onward New River Valley selected Whittington Consulting to redesign the site and deliver a platform aligned with the region’s brand, “A Natural Fit,” and accessible for staff to maintain.

We began with stakeholder interviews, analytics review, and competitive research to understand user needs and identify gaps in the old site. This work shaped a clear content strategy and a streamlined information architecture that makes it easier for site selectors, relocating businesses, and talent prospects to find regional assets, industry information, and community profiles.

The redesign introduced a modern, visually compelling interface with curated photography, improved readability, and consistent design patterns across all key pages. The site is fully responsive and ADA compliant. Navigation was simplified, content structure was improved, and new templates enhance storytelling for industries and communities.

The website was rebuilt on WordPress and Elementor to give the Onward NRV team a backend they can manage independently. Integrations with Salesforce, JobsEQ RTI postings, and C2ER’s cost of living data now deliver real-time insights without manual updates. Performance enhancements produced faster load times and improved SEO visibility.

Post-launch, users report easier navigation, better access to strategic content, and a smoother browsing experience. Staff can update content confidently thanks to training and a clean, modular CMS structure.

The finished website is a modern, data-driven platform that elevates the region’s digital presence and strengthens its ability to attract investment, talent, and new business opportunities.