MC Eggs & Issues: Closing the Gap: Housing and the Future of Growth in the NRV - November 2026

About this event

MC Eggs & Issues: Closing the Gap: Housing and the Future of Growth in the NRV

Join the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce for our next MC Eggs & Issues as we take on one of the most important issues affecting the future of Montgomery County and the New River Valley: housing .

Closing the Gap: Housing and the Future of Growth in the NRV

Housing is more than a residential issue—it is a workforce, economic development, and business growth issue . As the New River Valley continues to attract employers, talent, students, families, and investment, the availability and affordability of housing will play a major role in determining how—and whether—our region can continue to grow.

This conversation will explore the current housing landscape across the NRV, the barriers affecting new development and homeownership, and what businesses, developers, local governments, and community organizations can do to help close the gap.

John Provo will moderate a conversation featuring:

• Todd Robertson , Owner, Stateson Homes

• Jake Powell , Director of Homeownership, Community Housing Partners

• Jennifer Wilsie , Director of Housing, New River Valley Regional Commission

• Justin Saunders , Assistant Planning Director, Montgomery County

• Ian Friend , President, New River Valley Home Builders Association

The panel will discuss issues including housing supply and affordability, the cost and challenges of new construction, pathways to homeownership, workforce housing, regional housing trends, and how housing availability affects employers' ability to recruit and retain talent.

Why This Matters

When employees cannot find housing that fits their needs and budgets, the impact reaches well beyond the housing market. It affects workforce recruitment, employee retention, commuting patterns, business expansion, and the overall competitiveness of the New River Valley .

Closing the housing gap will require collaboration across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. This Eggs & Issues program will bring those perspectives together for a practical conversation about where we are today—and what needs to happen next.

Event Schedule

Breakfast & Networking: 8:00–8:30 a.m.

Panel Discussion: 8:30–9:30 a.m.

Register today and join the conversation about how we can build a New River Valley where businesses can grow, employees can put down roots, and our communities can continue to prosper.

Thank you to our Event Sponsor, Coldwell Banker, and our Presenting Sponsor, Carilion Clinic New River Valley Medical Center, for supporting MC Eggs & Issues and conversations that matter to the future of our region.