Congressman Bob Goodlatte held a technology conference on the James Madison University campus.
Technology leaders from the federal government and private companies say the areas openness to new technology and small business will help bring new jobs to the valley.
"The people and the schools around here, they're willing to test technology they're welcoming it into the community," said Marcus O'Malley of Immerge Technologies.
O'Malley came to the technology conference to learn how to stay competitive in today's market.
Instead of moving away after graduating from JMU, he decided to stay here, to get his high tech company off the ground.
"We stayed in town in Harrisonburg because we knew some movers and shakers here and they were creating opportunities for young tech companies and we wanted to be on the forefront of all the changes that we're happening," said O'Malley.
To stay competitive in a world market, they need to use this new technology to teach it.
"We want to make sure we have enough of our young people going into science, engineering, mathematics and education, areas that are badly needed so we can continue to have the kind of talented people who can develop an innovate," said Congressman Goodlatte.
Goodlatte believes jumping on the technology wagon early is important.
"The Internet and technology in general in the 21st century is much like the railroad in the 19th century, if it came to your community you boomed, if it bypassed your community you became a ghost town," said Goodlatte.
Conferences like today's are only the beginning.
Leaders say it takes community innovators to take advantage of the technology.