Do you want to help shape Rural Virginia's future?

Do you know where Rural Virginia is now? Where we need to be?

Strategic Partnerships are the key!

People who care abut rural and are willing to be continuously watchful so rural Virginia doesn't end up on the wrong side of the opportunity divide and find it very hard to keep up with the competition.

As long as all of the drivers have vehicles capable of speeds to win the race and everything is fair, it comes down to the wit and skill of the driver.

   Imagine Rural Virginia with leaders with a drive and passion for rural people and rural places and the wit and skill to build the networks that can bridge the gap between the status quo, and what is really possible if we invest in our future.

   The NASCAR team doesn’t race alone; if they did, where’s the competition? Where’s the strategy to win?

   Major issues are being addressed within the Commonwealth - The question is: Are we investing in self-sufficiency through innovative solutions?  Are we staying informed?  Are we staying involved?

The 2010 Virginia Rural Summit offers the challenge  –   We need your help to run the race !
 

What are the Economic and Social trends and conditions?

What does Rural Virginia need to change, Why, and How will that change happen and be funded?

On the Agenda for 2010

 

·        Economic Growth through current job retention and new job creation in distressed localities

Education – How does rural upgrade past workforce skills to meet 21^st Century job needs?

·        Advancing Rural Regions:

Regions working together to set strategic directions

Building regional network and communication structure

Collaborative advancing rural program and policy

The Council for Rural Virginia and Center for Rural Virginia are delighted to host Virginian’s Annual Rural Summit - - - Virginia’s Premier Rural Conference.  With input from a number of distinguished speakers, we offer the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with the new era of “Knowledge Based Rural Economic Development”.  Virginia’s Rural Summit is a collaborative of public and private organizations, business and industry, government at all levels, local, regional, state, and national.

 
Questions for Policy Development:  
 

Facilitated by presenter and dialog to lay facts on the table and also participate in of roundtable discussion to create policy recommendations. 
 

2010 Summit Goals

Identify barriers and explore solutions to promote sustainable rural economies

Secure a brighter future for rural regions of the Commonwealth

Develop Policy Positions based on rural indicators.

2010 Summit Focus

In collaboration with the Virginia Association of Counties, Virginia Municipal League, Virginia Planning District Commissions, Regional Economic Developers Association and local Chambers of Commerce, the 2010 Summit will focus on the following:
 

Welcome ~ Opening Remarks ……………………………8:30am

Glen C. Sink, Executive Director, Va Rural Center

Glen is a lifelong resident and advocate of rural America. As Executive Director he leads a virtual organization of the Center for Rural Virginia and the Council for Rural Virginia – a federal/state partnership. Va Rural Center is an advocate for rural policy and creates networks for state and regional competitiveness. Office (804)371-7141 Cell (804)381-1999  glen.sink@cfrv.org  www.cfrv.org
 

Ward Stevens, Chairman, Council for Rural Virginia

Assistant Vice President for Alumni & Development, Edward Via College of Osteopathic
 Medicine – Virginia Campus   Council for Rural Virginia Leadership

Dr. Oliver McBride, Crossroads Institute

Dr. McBride will sets the stage for the 2010 Rural Summit

Dr. McBride serves as Technical Advisor to the Council for Rural Virginia

Board of Directors  As Executive Director of the Crossroads Institute, Oliver takes a lead role in regional economic development in the Carroll Co, Grayson, Co and Galax City economic development region. Crossroads Institute

Senator Frank M. Ruff, Jr.  Introducing People, Places and Policies

Senator Ruff has been Chairman of the Center for Rural Virginia Board of Trustees since its inception in September 2005. He has been instrumental in getting the Center established and guides the organizations direction and strategy by working closely with staff, board members and the Center's partner organization, the Council for Rural Virginia.  Senator Ruff serves the 15^th Senate District of Virginia Senate of Virginia website.  Learn more about the Senator.

 Ward Stevens, Council for Rural Virginia Chairman will moderate the program.
 

Opening Keynote …………………………………………..9:00am


Charles W. Fluharty
 

Challenges of the New Economy

Charles W. “Chuck” Fluharty is Founding Director of the Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI), the only national policy institute in the U.S. solely dedicated to assessing the rural impacts of public policies. Biography

Content Speaker…………………………………………………  Time ??

Ted W. Abernathy, Jr., CEcD, Executive Director Southern Growth Policy Board
 

Biography  

 

The mission of the Southern Growth Policies Board is a non-partisan public policy think tank based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Formed by the region's governors in 1971, Southern Growth Policies Board develops and advances visionary economic development policies by providing a forum for partnership and dialog among a diverse cross-section of the region's governors, legislators, business and academic leaders and the economic- and community-development sectors. This unique public-private partnership is devoted to strengthening the South's economy and creating the highest possible quality of life.

Virginia’s Rural Prosperity Commission, “then and now”
 
 

Delegate R. Steve Landes:   .......................................................      Time??

Biography       

The (original) Rural Prosperity Commission Study and Results                                                                                            

Delegate Landes is currently Vice-Chair of Va Rural Center, and he served as Chairman of the Rural Virginia Prosperity Commission.
The Commission started with the perspective that rural Virginia was falling behind and:

·         The future of our rural communities are at risk

·         The quality of life was being threatened

·         The market will not correct the disparities

·         Rural communities need to take the lead

·         Local Governments cannot handle everything alone.

Christine Chmura, PhD: Rural Prosperity Commission Data 2010  ....... 10:30am

Biography  

                                                                                            ……..

Awards Luncheon  ~ Networking Opportunities ................   12:15

Council for Rural Virginia Annual Awards Luncheon

Three awards are given annually in the following three categories. 

Awards Categories:

·  The Council for Rural Virginia Award: This award is given annually by the Council for Rural Virginia to recognize outstanding individual commitment and service to the advancement of rural communities and/or issues in Virginia.

·  The Best Practices Award: This award is given annually by the Council for Rural Virginia to recognize a program or institution that exemplifies commitment and service to the advancement of rural communities and/or issues in Virginia.

·  Friend of the Council: This award is given to recognize a program, institution or individual that has advocated for or aided the Council in support of the Council’s mission.

Awards Presentation:

Honorees will be announced during the awards banquet beginning at 12:15 pm on Monday, September 13, 2010 during Virginia’s 2010 Rural Summit at the Wyndham Virginia Crossings Hotel & Conference Center, Glen Allen, VA.

Luncheon Keynote Speaker

Honorable William T. "Bill" Bolling
 

Lieutenant Governor Commonwealth of Virginia
 

Biography

The Lieutenant Governor serves on the Center for Rural Virginia Board of Trustees
Lt. Governor Bolling addressing Virginia’s economy

"We must do everything we can to get Virginia's economy moving again and create the jobs Virginia's families need to protect their economic security. As your Lieutenant Governor my number one job will be making Virginia the best place in America to do business."   Learn more . . . .

 

Afternoon – Tracks get underway

Day One PM Sessions will begin the process of setting regional strategies around the core areas of content planning:  Economic Development/Job Creation, Education/ Workforce, and Regional Policies & Services. Sessions will set the direction for partnership implementation in each of the tracks. Sessions will be consecutive; not concurrent as is often done.  Rural Summit participants will have the opportunity to focus closely on the area that interests them the most; yet, the advantage to benefit from the full Summit.

Session 1: Research ........................................................................ 1:15

For each of the three strategic areas: Economic Development/Job Creation, Education/Workforce and Regional Policies & Services, content speakers have been asked to extend remarks on their topics for the group sessions to include regional examples in the subject area.  Facilitators will promote discussion, Q&A, etc.

Ted McCormack, AICP, Director of Governmental Affairs (community development and planning) at VACo, has agreed to serve as recorder to capture speaker and attendee remarks.  Virginia Association of Counties Staff
 

Networking Break  ....................................................................   2:30

Session 2: Local and Regional Applications .......................... 2:45

For each of the three strategic content areas: Economic Development/Job Creation, Education/Workforce and Regional Policies & Services, innovative leaders at the community, state and regional level whose experience will inspire leaders, model potential directions and may hold the keys to potential regional action. Formal presentation will be made in each session followed by participants contributing examples. Participants, please be prepared to discuss innovative and successful projects from their region.  You may wish to bring specific examples in an electronic format that can be made available at a later date. Facilitators will be responsible for capturing this information electronically and Rural Center staff will send it to attendees as a follow up.
 

Local and Regional Application

Stories for the Regions

Afternoon Session Concludes ..................................................   4:30

 Networking Reception   .............................................................. 6:00

Featuring

A tempting variety of specialty food from Wyndham Virginia Crossings Hotel and Conference Center

Staff are working on special features for the Summit Reception

Dinner on Your Own – Enjoy your evening!

Day Two – September 14

Morning Networking - Continental Breakfast

Opening Community Development Session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:30

Martin Kent, Chief of Staff

                        for Governor Robert F. “Bob” McDonnell

Biography

 Overview:  On behalf of the Governor Martin Kent, Governor's Chief of Staff will bring
Examples of Communities Building Success & how the McDonnell administration is building and strengthening new rural partnerships in the Commonwealth.

Session 3: Regional Strategy (Continue Tracks).................... 9:15

Each of the content areas:   Economic Development/Job Creation
                                          Education/Workforce
                                          And Regional Policies & Services

will strategize to determine how to advance local and regional efforts? Brainstorm and prioritize points that were discussed throughout the Summit with a focus on key areas and items from which to build delieverables.

Networking Break ....................................................................   10:45

Session 4: Regional Strategy/Directions ................................... 11:00

Panel of State Legislative Experts and Regional Experts will conduct a full group Q & A to determine short-term actions and longer-term strategies to move Virginia’s rural Agenda Forward in Workforce/Job Creation, Education/Workforce, and Regional Policies/Services. This information will guide Policy Positions to be crafted for the 2012 Virginia General Assembly.

Networking Lunch  ................................................................ 12:00

Actions & Policy Initiatives........................................................... 2:00

Identify further follow-up, action steps, and post-Summit communication.

Reports from each work group on proposed action steps to advance regional efforts around Economic Development/Job Creation, Education/Workforce, and Regional Policies & Services