The Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission is hoping to develop new economic development partnerships with the academic community.

Lewis Lawrence, MPPDC’s executive director, said that a series of three public meetings will be held next week to gather comments on ways the commission might develop new partnerships with Virginia universities participating in the Virginia Sea Grant Network. Those schools include the Virginia Institute of Marine Science at Gloucester Point, George Mason University, Old Dominion University, University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia Tech.

"Our effort will explore new ways to enhance Virginia universities; impacts and value-added services to Middle Peninsula private businesses and coastal localities through innovative new partnerships," Lawrence said.

The first meeting will be held from noon-1 p.m. Monday at the Tappahannock Town Council Meeting room, 915 Church Lane, with the focus on retail and medical indust...