Mission

The Center for Rural Virginia and the Council for Rural Virginia  advocates for policy and promotes
strategic initiatives focused on a comprehensive approach to regional economic and civic development. 

  Objective

To be a collective voice for all rural areas of the Commonwealth

 

  Through a Collaborative Activities Agreement the Center Council function as a virtual organization

  with associates located across the Commonwealth.

 

  The Center Council is an advocate for rural policy and creates networks to be a catalyst for state and regional

  competitiveness and economic transformation.

 

   Actions

·         Create networks to educate and mobilize community leaders

·         Promote and lead collaborative coalitions

·         Address issues for sustainable regional economic growth & development

·         Design comprehensive initiatives that impact rural areas for long term transformation.

  Competencies  . . .  click here to learn more

·         Capital Access

·         Community Capacity

·         Education & Workforce

·         Healthcare

·         Infrastructure - Broadband

·         Agriculture and Natural Resources

   Accomplishments

 

2008 Virginia General Assembly

Center Leads Virginia Rural Caucus

The Center's involvement in the Virginia Rural Caucus began in 2006, grew in 2007 and continued to be strong in 2008.

2008 Rural Caucus

As an important part of the Center’s legislative agenda, weekly Senate and House rural representatives met as a
bipartisan rural caucus to discuss issues.  The Center staffed this weekly caucus by scheduling members
of the Governor's cabinet and local business and industry leaders. 

Senator Frank Ruff chaired the caucus. Participants included: The Secretaries of Commerce and Trade, Agriculture and
Forestry, Transportation, and Health and Human Services, accompanied by their department representatives.
These meetings generated legislative ideas and discussion about how they impact the rural population.  

It is important that legislators know that rural has its own special needs and opportunities that often differ from other
more prosperous areas of the Commonwealth-and that rural maintains a presence in the important legislative process. 

Center Advocates for Rural Virginia During the 2008 General Assembly Session

The Rural Center’s presence at the General Assembly has proven beneficial.  

Center’s Budget Amendments:

1. Create a rural strategic plan with measurable benchmarks, to improve access to capital for local small business
   development

2. Document and prepare for a significant transfer of wealth over the next ten years

3. Create local community foundations for the purpose of capturing, growing, and investing a community’s
   philanthropic wealth.

Our investments in the legislative process produced a knowledge of the Center and of rural Virginia. With the active
partnership of the statewide Association of Community Foundation, the understanding of the role and importance
Community Foundations play in rural revitalization is more fully appreciated. 

 

2008 General Assembly Awards Funds to the Center

The Rural Center’s presence in the General Assembly focused on four budget amendments and staffing the Rural Caucus. Budget
amendments were patroned by Senator Emmett Hanger in the Senate and by Delegate R. Steve Landes in the House. The
Center’s most important Budget amendment requested State funds as match to National Foundation investments.  These
funds would provide hardware/software equipment and technical assistance to under funded local community foundations throughout
Virginia and expand the presence of Community Foundations into underserved areas of rural Virginia. Before investing in Virginia,
National Foundations seek assurances that partners support the investments enough to commit public and private resources. The
anticipated leverage of National Foundation funds to State funds was $5/$1; a significant return on the tax dollar. 

In ordinary times this return on investment would be a very wise investment of public funds.  However, these ordinary times are
confronted with limited and declining fiscal resources.  Differences between the recommended Senate and House budgets was
reconciled by a nine member Budget Conference Committee.  The Center award requires matching funds.

2008 Joint Board Leadership Retreat

Healthcare

          Virginia Rural Health Strategic Planning

2007- Center Council staff selected to help develop Virginia's Rural Health Strategic Plan

  2006-2007 Snap Shot

Virginia General Assembly

Senate of Virginia

Virginia House of Delegates
 

Virginia's Rural Center

serves as the Commonwealth's leading Rural Advocate
Enabling Legislation

Membership 

In      The Council welcomes members
of various backgrounds, professions, and locales. Contact the staff for membership information.
 Application Form

USDA Rural Development

Virginia State Office