John Provo
Associate Director

John Provo is Associate Director of Virginia Tech’s Office of Economic Development.  Provo provides leadership for the office in the design and implementation of applied research and technical assistance projects that link university and community resources to address the economic development needs of the Commonwealth. He builds program partnerships and secures funding as a major point of contact between the office, academic departments within the University, federal, state, and local governments, as well as other public and private sector leaders.

Provo works on projects with communities, agencies, and companies around Virginia, including more than $1.3 million of sponsored grants and contracts.  Some of his recent work includes a study of the prospects for development of a nanomanufacturing industry cluster in the New River Valley, research into opportunities to promote innovation in traditional industries in the Alleghany Highlands, market analysis of opportunities for Virginia communities and companies in farmshoring (also known as domestic outsourcing).  He also led planning and facilitation processes in communities such as Galax, Martinsville, Page County, and the Eastern Shore.  

Provo received his Ph.D. from the School of Urban Studies and Planning at Portland State University.  He received a master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1999 and a bachelor's degree in government from the College of William and Mary in 1989.  While in Richmond, he worked for Virginia's Secretary of Commerce and Trade on implementation of revisions to the state's workforce development system.  He presents regularly before scholarly and professional associations, and maintains affiliations with the American Planning Association, Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning, University Economic Development Association, and Virginia Economic Developers Association.

Phone: (540) 231-4004
Fax: (540) 231-8850
Email: jprovo@vt.edu

For more information on how Virginia Tech can help to improve the performance of your organization, contact:

Virginia Tech
Office of Economic Development
702 University City Blvd. (Mail Code 0373)
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Phone (540) 231-5278
Fax (540) 231-8850
E-mail econdev@vt.edu