Celebrating 5 Years of Community & Coworking

On February 1, 2021, the SOVA Innovation Hub officially opened its doors at 715 Wilborn Avenue. In February 2026, we are celebrating five years of community, connection, and the people who have made this space feel like more than just a place to work.

The SOVA Innovation Hub was created to be a place to learn, work, and grow. Over time, it has become a place where people build businesses, try new ideas, host meetings, learn skills, and form real relationships. It is where work feels less isolating and community feels natural.

Located in downtown South Boston, Virginia, the Hub is a 15,000 square foot facility in Halifax County built on the site of the former Planters Warehouse, which burned down in 2002. What was once an empty space is now part of downtown revitalization and community innovation. Alongside partners like the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center, The Prizery, and ProductWorks@SVHEC, the SOVA Innovation Hub helps make downtown South Boston a rural technology hub focused on learning, creativity, and opportunity.

The idea for the Hub began with a feasibility study in 2018, followed by groundbreaking in 2019. Construction wrapped up in late 2020, and in early 2021, the doors officially opened. The Hub was established through a partnership between Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corporation and Microsoft, with support from GO Virginia and the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission, all with the shared goal of creating new opportunities for people in Southern Virginia.

Our mission is to spark economic transformation in Southern Virginia by inspiring people to pursue entrepreneurship and digital skills. In real life, that mission shows up in conversations in the coworking space, introductions made between members, meetings that turn into partnerships, gatherings that inspire action, and people realizing they do not have to build businesses or careers alone.

That sense of community is what keeps people coming back. As coworking member and founder of CAREfully Anchored, Tiffany Ferrell, shared in a recent interview with WDBJ7,“Being in this rural area, I live way out in the county, so I don’t have access to high-speed internet. So that was what brought me here. But what kept me here was the people and how much of a community we built just in this space. We’re a community, and then we go out into the community together. So, I love that togetherness.” 

Since opening, more than 3,000 people have walked through the doors of the SOVA Innovation Hub. Our first Community Manager, Rebecca Stimson, coordinated the building opening and established a community even with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when connection mattered more than ever. When Rebecca transitioned to an occupational safety role with Presto, the SOVA Innovation Hub searched for its new Community Manager. In June 2022, Mallory Lawter stepped into the role and continues to focus on making the Hub a welcoming, relationship-centered space.

“We are truly building a community here for business owners, remote workers, innovators, and doers,” Mallory shares. “I love getting to know our coworkers, hearing about their work, and learning about their lives. Even when people relocate, change jobs, or retire, many of those relationships last. I have met some of the best people through the Hub, and I would not have had those connections without this space.”

Today, the SOVA Innovation Hub is a coworking space with daily passes and monthly memberships. It is also a meeting and training space used for everything from business meetings and workshops to baby showers, holiday ornament exchanges, and garden club gatherings. The Spark meeting room is often used for small off-site meetings and team conversations. Above all, it is a space that belongs to the community and grows with the people who use it.

To celebrate five years as a coworking community, we would truly love to see you at one of our anniversary events this month.

On Tuesday, February 24, join us for Pancakes and Productivity. Help us celebrate with pancakes and a free daily coworking pass. Short-stacked mini pancakes will be available for purchase from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with free coworking beginning at 8:30 AM. You can also enter to win a free month of coworking. This event is open to the public and is a great way to get a feel for the space.

On Wednesday, February 25, stop by for our 5-Year Anniversary Open House from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Enjoy a free day of coworking beginning at 8:30 AM, take a tour of the Hub, preview renderings of our new building, connect with members and staff, and enjoy giveaways throughout the day.

Whether you stay for a few minutes, an hour, or the whole day, we would genuinely love to welcome you. If you have ever been curious about coworking, wondered what happens inside the SOVA Innovation Hub, or simply want to help us celebrate five years, this is the perfect time to stop by.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey so far. We cannot wait to celebrate with you and continue building what comes next, together.

SOVA Innovation Hub Begins Renovation to Expand Downtown South Boston Campus

The Hub @ 801 will feature a Fab Lab, podcast studio, coworking spaces, and flexible meeting space

SOUTH BOSTON, VA — January 20, 2026 — The SOVA Innovation Hub announced today that renovation work is underway on The Hub @ 801, a major expansion of its downtown South Boston campus. The project extends the organization’s footprint beyond its flagship building at 715 Wilborn Avenue and includes a full renovation of the adjacent 12,000 square foot property at 801 Wilborn Avenue, formerly home to the South Boston Fire Company Support Center.

The Hub @ 801 will expand the SOVA Innovation Hub’s capacity to serve entrepreneurs, students, businesses, and community members across Southern Virginia. The renovated facility will feature flexible coworking areas, private offices, and two large meeting rooms that can be combined into an event space accommodating up to 148 people. Additional amenities will include a podcast studio to support content creation and storytelling, as well as the SOVA Fab Lab (short for Fabrication Laboratory), a regional makerspace and digital fabrication facility.

The SOVA Fab Lab is being developed in partnership with the Fab Foundation, a Boston-based nonprofit that supports Fab Labs worldwide. As part of a global network of more than 3,000 Fab Labs, the SOVA Fab Lab will connect Southern Virginia to an international community of technologists, makers, educators, and innovators through virtual training and information sharing. The facility will offer advanced digital fabrication tools—including 3D printing, laser cutting, and CNC machining—to support workforce development, entrepreneurship, and applied learning. A dedicated Fab Lab Manager will be hired in Spring 2026 to lead the launch and ongoing growth of the makerspace.

“This expansion represents the next chapter in our work to contribute to a thriving innovation ecosystem for Southern Virginia,” said Lauren Mathena, Director of Economic Development and Community Engagement for MBC and the SOVA Innovation Hub. “The resources that will be available at The Hub @ 801 will empower people of all ages and experience levels to imagine, design, and build innovative products and solutions.”

The renovation project is partially funded by the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission and Mid‑Atlantic Broadband Communities Corporation (MBC), with construction financing from Benchmark Community Bank. Funding for Fab Lab equipment and startup operations is provided by grants from Microsoft and GO Virginia Region 3. GO Virginia is a state-funded initiative administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) that strengthens and diversifies Virginia’s economy and fosters the creation of higher wage jobs in strategic industries.

Renovation work will be completed by J.E. Burton Construction, with architectural design and construction administration led by the Richmond‑based firm PSH+.

Additional information and project updates are available at www.sovainnovationhub.com/.

New Toastmasters Meeting Location Forming at the SOVA Innovation Hub

Thursday, August 1, 2025 – South Boston, VA – A new Toastmasters meeting location is forming at the SOVA Innovation Hub to help local professionals and community members strengthen their public speaking, communication, and leadership skills. As the only active Toastmasters club in the area, the Danville Toastmasters Club is teaming up with the SOVA Innovation Hub to expand access and extend the reach of the Toastmasters International program. The new meeting location will serve the Southern Virginia region, meeting twice a month at the SOVA Innovation Hub, located at 715 Wilborn Avenue in downtown South Boston.

The new meeting location is supported by Toastmasters International’s Area 11 leadership and is part of an effort to expand access to professional development opportunities in the Southern Virginia region. It is open to adults aged 18 and older of all backgrounds and experience levels who are interested in building confidence and improving their communication skills in a welcoming, supportive environment.

“Toastmasters is a great organization for helping people develop public speaking skills and is excellent overall for personal development and networking,” said Keith Washo, SOVA Innovation Hub coworking member and volunteer leader for the SOVA Innovation Hub Toastmasters meeting location. “I’m excited to team up with the other leaders to be a founding member of the Toastmasters meeting location in South Boston, VA.”

“Toastmasters has provided me with a safe place to practice presenting and leadership skills. The increase in my self-confidence, listening retention, and feedback skills has impacted my life in ways I never imagined,” said Venus Wilmer, Toastmasters International member, District 66, Area 11 Director, and Secretary for Danville Toastmasters club. “I look forward to working with the SOVA Innovation Hub team and Danville club leaders to start this new meeting location and support the community members in South Boston and Halifax County.”

The club is currently welcoming new members and hosting interest meetings to introduce the Toastmasters program to the community. Two kickoff meetings will be held at the SOVA Innovation Hub on Thursday, September 11, 12pm to 1pm and Thursday, September 25, 12pm to 1pm.

Participants will have the opportunity to meet experienced Toastmasters members, learn more about how Toastmasters works, and get involved in shaping the club’s future.

“We’re excited to host this new Toastmasters meeting location at the SOVA Innovation Hub as part of our mission to support personal and professional growth in our region. Toastmasters offers a proven framework for building essential leadership and communication skills that benefit entrepreneurs, business professionals, and community leaders alike. It’s a perfect fit for our coworking community and the broader ecosystem we serve,” said Lauren Mathena, Director of Economic Development and Community Engagement, SOVA Innovation Hub & Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corporation.

To learn more or to register to attend a kickoff meeting in September at the SOVA Innovation Hub, visit sovainnovationhub.com/toastmasters-kickoff.

About SOVA Innovation Hub

The SOVA Innovation Hub is a nonprofit organization working to spark economic transformation in Southern Virginia by advancing digital skills and entrepreneurship. Located in South Boston, VA, it provides coworking, training, and collaborative space, and serves as a lead partner for RISE Collaborative. Learn more at sovainnovationhub.com.

About Toastmasters

Toastmasters is a nonprofit educational organization that helps people become more effective communicators and leaders. With over 16,000 clubs worldwide, Toastmasters empowers millions to speak confidently and lead with purpose. By joining, you can improve your public speaking skills, build confidence in communication, gain leadership experience, and connect with local professionals, entrepreneurs, and community members. Learn more at toastmasters.org.

Media Contacts:

Liz Smith | SOVA Innovation Hub | hello@sovainnovationhub.com

Venus Wilmer | Toastmasters Area 11 Director | venuswilmer@gmail.com

Keith Washo | Toastmasters Member | keithwasho@gmail.com

Pictured Above: Danielle Remmick of gener8tor Skills (far left, first row) pictured with program completers at the SOVA Innovation Hub

The gener8tor Skills Accelerator is a virtual rapid-skilling program designed to equip individuals with in-demand skills for local or remote job opportunities. Nationally, more than 3,200 individuals have completed from the program since 2020, with an 82% graduation rate and 63% job placement rate within six months. In Southern Virginia, the program has run 13 cohorts, serving 173 participants, with a 70% placement rate and an average starting salary of $60,802.

Program completers earn a gener8tor Skills certificate, industry-recognized credentials, and receive personalized job placement support. The program is made possible by grants, workforce innovation initiatives, and corporate sponsorships from partners like Microsoft.

The gener8tor Skills Accelerator continues to drive economic opportunity by helping individuals thrive in high-growth industries. Learn more and apply at https://sovainnovationhub.com/gener8tor-skills/

To read this article as it originally appeared on the EDA website, click here.

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.3 Million to Support Business and Job Growth in South Boston, Virginia

Contact: EDA Public Affairs Department, edamedia@eda.gov

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.3 million grant to the SOVA Innovation Hub in South Boston, Virginia, to bolster small business development in the region.

This grant will support building renovation to create a digital maker space, community gathering space and co-working offices. This EDA investment will be matched with $492,389 in local funds and is expected to create or retain 130 jobs, and generate $1.1 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is providing communities with the resources they need to boost local businesses and create jobs,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will provide site redevelopment and infrastructure improvements to support local business development and bring new industries to the region.”

“The Economic Development Administration is pleased to provide targeted, place-based grants designed to support local business growth,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project will address the urgent need for economic equity by breaking down barriers to entrepreneurship through increased access to technology, networks, training, and workforce skills.”

“This grant will foster small business development in Virginia,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Investing in the economies of local communities, such as South Boston, helps strengthen our Commonwealth as a whole.”

“I’ve seen firsthand how the SOVA Innovation Hub has revitalized South Boston’s economy, training a skilled workforce and bringing high-paying jobs to Southside Virginia,” said Senator Mark Warner. “I am thrilled to see federal funding continue to support the business growth of the region, and the partnerships fostered by the facility.”

“I’m glad to see this funding will bolster the SOVA Innovation Hub’s important work to support small businesses and create jobs in South Boston,” said Senator Tim Kaine. “I will keep working with the community and local leaders to promote economic development in Southside.”

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.