The Berkley Group

07/30/2026

Congratulations to Prince Edward County for earning the 2026 APA Virginia Old Dominion Award for Innovation! We're honored to have partnered with Prince Edward County and Longwood University on this award-winning initiative.

This award recognizes an innovative approach to community engagement that reimagines how local governments involve the next generation in planning. Together, we transformed Longwood University's Civitae curriculum into a meaningful planning experience, giving students the opportunity to help shape Prince Edward County's Comprehensive Plan while exploring real-world issues like housing, workforce development, placemaking, and quality of life.

Congratulations to Prince Edward County and Longwood University for their vision and commitment to doing planning differently. We're grateful to have been part of this collaborative effort and proud to see it recognized by APA Virginia.

05/14/2026

Virginia localities are navigating major changes to the regulation of utility-scale solar and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) following new legislation adopted by the General Assembly.

Berkley Group’s Michael Zehner recently joined a panel discussion focused on what these legislative updates mean for local ordinances, permitting processes, and implementation efforts ahead of the July 1 deadline.

The discussion explored:

-Updates to the 2026 solar and BESS legislation
-How local policies and approval processes may need to change
-What remains within local discretion
-Key implementation considerations for local governments

If your locality is evaluating updates to solar or BESS regulations, contact Berkley Group to learn how we can help support your community.

05/07/2026

Anna Cherry, CFM, and Savannah Newbern, CFM presented at the Virginia Floodplain Management Association Conference on April 24, sharing lessons learned from Essex County’s FEMA NFIP compliance audit. Their session covered key findings, documentation challenges, and practical strategies for responding effectively to compliance reviews.

Joined by Essex County staff, the presentation also highlighted how the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Community Flood Preparedness Fund is supporting staff training, capacity building, and the implementation of Crisis Track to strengthen the County’s long-term floodplain management program.

05/04/2026

Our team had a great time attending the Virginia Association of School Superintendents conference in Roanoke, VA! We are grateful for the opportunity to connect with education leaders from across the Commonwealth and engage in meaningful conversations about the future of education.

04/07/2026