During the past two decades, Ireland has experienced a remarkable period of economic transformation and growth, moving from an economy relying heavily on agriculture with a high unemployment rate to a technology based economy so successful that it is known as the Silicon Valley of Europe. The new Irish economy, termed by many as “The Celtic Tiger,” is an outstanding model for our region, which shares close ties to Ireland as well as similar values and work ethic.

In order to discuss the ways our region’s economy could benefit from the Irish model, I am hosting a conference on Monday, Sept. 15, at the Wytheville Meeting Center. The conference is entitled: “Unleashing the Celtic Tiger: Southwest Virginia’s Shared Heritage with Ireland and Western Europe.”

A featured guest at the conference will be The Honorable John Bruton, former Prime Minister of Ireland and currently the European Union Ambassador to the United States. Mr. Bruton will discuss how the economy of Ireland, over a 20 year period, was transformed through the alignment of commerce, education, technology and its membership in the European Union.

Also at the conference, a series of exceptional speakers will discuss how we can promote Southwest Virginia’s economy through collaborations in the areas of technology, commerce, education, and tourism. Two advisors with the European Union’s Delegation of the European Commission to the United States will discuss European Union initiatives and programs that may serve as models for programs in our region.

Additionally, Virginia Senator John Edwards, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Pat Gottschalk, Virginia Secretary of Technology Aneesh Chopra, and Virginia Tourism Corporation President and CEO Alisa Bailey will lead roundtable discussions with local leaders and residents interested in Southwest Virginia’s economy on the next steps our region can take to develop partnerships with European Union nations in the areas of commerce, technology, tourism, and education.

Many residents of Southwest Virginia have roots in Ireland or other European countries, and our region’s culture, including its work ethic, music, and arts, is evidence of our common heritage. Experts on our region’s heritage will be on hand to inform conference attendees of the historical and present day cultural links between Ireland and Southwest Virginia. Additionally, they will discuss the Western migration of the early settlers of our region.

I encourage community leaders and others with an interest in our region’s economy to attend the conference on Sept. 15 in Wytheville to learn more about the ways we can use this part of our region’s heritage to promote the economy of Southwest Virginia.

Rick Boucher is Congressman for the 9th District of Virginia, which includes the New River Valley. You can catch his Capitol Commentary regularly at the New River Voice.