BY MERLE MONAHAN/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
merlemonah@aol.com

FRANKLIN—Gregory Fairchild, associate professor of business administration at the University of Virginia, stressed the importance of a quality early education to produce a quality workforce for future economic development.

Speaking to about 40 guests attending a recent program hosted by Smart Beginnings Western Tidewater, Fairchild suggested strategies to help the community thrive by working together to build a future workforce.

Held at the Paul D. Camp Community College Regional Workforce Development Center, the meeting brought together early-care and education providers, government officials, business leaders and residents to hear Fairchild, who is also the executive director of the Tayloe Murphy Business Center at the university.

“We are honored and privileged to have Mr. Fairchild share his knowledge with our members,” said Ellen Couch, executive director of Smart Beginnings. “His talk was very enlightening.”

Smart Beginnings focuses on preparing children in Franklin and Southampton and Isle of Wight counties for school. Established in 2007, the collaboration consists of early-care and education providers, school administrators, businesses and government officials, health and social services, PDCCC and parents.