GENEDGE, Virginia’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), has officially relocated its headquarters to the Baldwin Building at the New College Institute (NCI) campus in Martinsville, marking a major milestone in the Commonwealth’s continued investment in advanced manufacturing, innovation, and workforce development.
GENEDGE’s relocation underscores Southern Virginia’s growing role as a center for innovation and applied learning. GENEDGE leverages federal and state funding to provide a wealth of expertise and resources to Virginia manufacturers, businesses, and other organizations. In 2024, GENEDGE provided $676,502,000 in cost savings for businesses and generated $1,211,836,288 in new and retained sales with $54,658,851 in new client investments.
NCI plays a key role in this transformation by connecting learners, employers, and educators. Its partnership with GENEDGE expands this network, providing the infrastructure and expertise necessary to advance regional prosperity.
This move brings GENEDGE, a statewide political subdivision supporting Virginia’s manufacturers through engineering, technology, and operational excellence, into direct collaboration with NCI, one of five higher education centers focused on workforce advancement and educational access. Together, the organizations will strengthen manufacturing, drive innovation, and expand hands-on training opportunities for workers and employers across the Commonwealth.
“GENEDGE’s move into the Baldwin Building is a transformative moment for both of our organizations,” said Joe Sumner, Executive Director of New College Institute. “By co-locating with NCI, GENEDGE is bringing world-class manufacturing expertise directly to the communities and companies that need it most, and we’re proud to collaborate on workforce solutions that ensure Virginia remains at the forefront of advanced manufacturing.”
A Strategic Partnership for Economic Growth
Through this new partnership, GENEDGE and NCI will work together to:
- Expand Advanced Manufacturing Training: Develop and deliver new technical programs, certifications, and simulations that prepare workers for high-demand manufacturing and engineering roles.
- Support Small and Mid-Sized Manufacturers: Provide businesses across Virginia with access to the same high-level consulting, process improvement, and innovation services typically available to large corporations.
- Connect Education and Industry: Link manufacturers with students, educators, and workforce programs to align classroom learning with the real-world needs of Virginia’s industrial economy.
- Accelerate Innovation: Use shared facilities, equipment, and expertise to pilot emerging technologies that enhance productivity, sustainability, and business growth.
“GENEDGE’s mission is to help Virginia’s manufacturers innovate, compete, and grow,” said Scott Schein, Executive Director of GENEDGE. “Our new home within NCI’s Baldwin Building provides a hub for collaboration, where education, business, and technology come together to strengthen the state’s industrial base by increasing jobs, upskilling the workforce, motivating investment, and ultimately supporting sustained profitability.”
“This partnership represents the best of what public collaboration can accomplish and provides endless options and possibilities for growth in the future,” said Eric Jones, Chair of NCI’s Board of Directors. “By bringing GENEDGE to NCI’s Baldwin Building, we’re not just providing office space. We’re sharing a mission to strengthen Virginia’s manufacturing base, empower our workforce, and drive meaningful economic growth in the Commonwealth.”
“We are excited by this partnership and the opportunities to leverage NCI’s premier facilities and resources with our staff in fulfilling our statewide mission to help Virginia’s manufacturing, technology, and defense sectors innovate, compete, and grow. We’ve proudly been based in Martinsville since 1992 and look forward to many more years of success there in our new headquarters,” said Gabriel LaMois, Chair of GENEDGE’s Board of Trustees.