Welcome

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 !

Partners willing to invest in rural regions become a resource to the local economy.

An example is the infrastructure needed to address education and workforce needs. The rural workforce has become increasingly dependent on access to infrastructure to bring jobs, keep existing jobs and as the driver to create new job opportunities. Such investments have generated public/private partnerships that did not exist.

Rural Virginia has questions . . .

What are the Economic and Social trends and conditions - area by area?

What does Rural Virginia need to change?

Why? How will change happen and be funded?

On the Agenda for 2010

– How does rural produce the job retention and new job creation in distressed localities to grow the economy?

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

Advancing Rural

· Working together to set strategic directions

· Building network and communication structures

· Collaboratively advancing rural program and policy

The Council and Center for Rural Virginia Are Proud to Host Virginia's Annual Premier Rural Conference

The Virginia Rural Summit

With input from a number of distinguished speakers, the Summit offers an 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.

The Annual Rural Summit is Developed Around the Rural Center’s Six Economic Essentials

Questions for Policy Development
Dialog for roundtable discussion and to create policy recommendations.

Economic Development/ Job Creation	Education/ Workforce	Regional Policies/Services
What can rural do to balance economic development in both rural and urban areas? How can rural localities strengthen partnerships and innovation sharing for job creation with urban/ suburban areas?	How does rural upgrade past workforce skills to meet 21^st Century job needs? How do rural areas make their workforce attractive to entrepreneurs, to small business, and to the global market? How does rural provide the tools to compete in the technology and information economy?	How can government unscramble the maze of local and state agency redundancy? What can localities do to enhance enterprise and entrepreneurial development in the public and private sectors?

2010 Summit Goals

- Identify barriers and explore solutions to promote sustainable rural economies

- Secure a brighter future for rural communities of the Commonwealth

- Develop policy positions based on rural indicators.

N E T W O R K I N G
One of the main Activities of the 2010 Rural Summit is to support attendees’ desire for networking opportunities. The meeting plan has “built in” networking opportunities. Be prepared to use your own experiences and knowledge as a resource to consider: What issues are the most pressing in your community? In your region? In Virgina? Ask yourself; is my community/my region/my state addressing these needs? Talk to your colleagues – learn how they've solved the same type problems Ask how to develop a dialog back home – where to go for resource Find someone who has a network and ask how to build a collaborative of partners who will share their expertise “for the good of the Commonwealth”. Be engaged in discussion; ask how you can be in the information stream in order to share as you learn with new and existing networks.

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:

· Economic Development/Job Creation

· Education/Workforce

· Regional Policies and Services

Day 1 - Monday September 13, 2010

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 W. Stevens, FACHE, CMPE Chairman, Council for Rural Virginia

Executive Director, OMNEE, Osteopathic Medical Network of Excellence in Education ~ An Osteopathic Postdoctoral Training Initiative at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
Council for Rural Virginia Leadership VCOM - Mission and Goals

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
Oliver is Executive Director of the Crossroads Institute and takes a lead role in regional economic development in Carroll and Grayson Counties and the City of 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 was 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 about Senator Ruff

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

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

National Perspective
Charles W. Fluharty, Research Professor, Associate Director for Rural Policy Programs in the Harry S. Truman School of Public Affairs at the University of Missouri-Columbia, Adjunct Faculty in the UMC Department of Rural Sociology, Distinguished Service to Rural Life Award from the Rural Sociological Society, USDA Biography

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.

Southern Perspective

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

Biography …………………………………………. 9:45am

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.

“Networking Blitz”
Networking Break ……………………………………..10:30am

US Senator Mark R. Warner

US Senate for the Commonwealth of Virginia
Biography Visit Senator Warner's website to learn about the August 19, 2010 announcement.
Virginia receives $26 million in broadband grants Read the News Release

Rural Virginia Perspective

Virginia's Rural Prosperity Commission, "then and now"

Delegate R. Steve Landes .…..…………………………..11:00am

Biography

Delegate Landes will address the (original) Rural Prosperity Commission Study and Results
Delegate Landes 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	Rural communities need to take the lead
The quality of life was being threatened	Local Governments cannot handle everything alone.
The market will not correct the disparities

Delegate Landes is Vice-Chair of the Center for Rural Virginia

Christine Chmura, PhD: Rural Prosperity Commission Data 2010 . . . . . 11:20am

Biography

Chris has done the research and will bring updated Rural Prosperity Commission data to the Summit.

Chris is the President and Chief Economist for Chmura Economics & Analytics, a quantitative research and economic development and workforce consulting firm located in Richmond, Virginia, that she founded in December 1999. She is a quoted source on regional and national trends in the media throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, as well as national publications such as the Wall Street Journal. She writes a monthly column on the economy for the Richmond Times Dispatch. Learn more Chmura Economics & Analytics.

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

Luncheon Moderator - Laurie S. Moran, Danville/Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce Council for Rural Virginia Board of Directors - Contact Laurie

Council for Rural Virginia Annual Awards

Awards Committee Chairman, Basil Gooden, Principal Deputy Director, Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), Council for Rural Virginia Board of Director. Contact Basil (804) 371-7000 basil.gooden@dhcd.virginia.gov

Awards Committee Members:

Mary C. Terry, Southeast Rural Community Assistance, Inc., (Retired).
Mary serves on the Council for Rural Virginia Board of Directors.
Gary S. Keener, Vice President Continuing Education & Workforce Services
Dabney S. Lancaster Community College. Gary serves on the Council Board of Directors.

Three awards are given annually in the following three 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.

Honorees will be announced during the awards banquet beginning at 12:00 noon, Monday, September 13, 2010.

Luncheon Keynote ……………………………………..12:50pm

Honorable William T. "Bill" Bolling
Lieutenant Governor, Commonwealth of Virginia
Biography

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 . . . .

The Lieutenant Governor serves on the Center for Rural Virginia Board of Trustees

Networking Break ……………………………………..1:20pm

Afternoon Tracks Get Underway ……………………....1:30pm

Day One Afternoon Sessions 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. Consecutive sessions offers Rural Summit participants the opportunity to focus closely on the area that interests them the most; yet, the advantage of hearing what each speaker has to say.

Session 1	Session 2	Session 3
Economic Development/ Job Creation	Education/ Workforce	Regional Policies/ Services

Research
In each of the three sessions, content speakers will extend remarks and share best practice examples. A facilitated conversation about rural challenges and opportunities will promote discussion and Q&A.
Ted McCormack, AICP, Director of Governmental Affairs, Community Development and Planning, Virginia Association of Counties, will serve as recorder to capture speaker and attendee remarks. VACo Staff

Economic Development/
Job Creation

Education/
Workforce

Regional

Policies & Services

Track Moderator:

R. Bryan David
Region 2000 Partnership

Ted McCormack – Recorder

Track Moderator:
Dr. Oliver McBride

Crossroads Institute

Ted McCormack – Recorder

Track Moderator:

Phillip Bradshaw
President, VACo
Ted McCormack – Recorder

Speakers

L. Kimball Payne

City Manager

Lynchburg, VA

Managing Priorities
Strong City Government

Biography

James A. Baldwin

Executive Director

Cumberland Plateau PDC

Lebanon, VA 24266

www.cppdc.org

Don "Robin" Sullenberger
Chief Executive Officer

Shenandoah Valley Partnership

Harrisonburg, VA

Speakers

Thomas O. Loehr

Executive Vice President

Crosspointe, Rolls-Royce North America Inc.

Tom is with the new Rolls-Royce aerospace manufacturing center currently under development in Prince George Co. Biography

Clark Casteel

Senior Program Officer

Danville Regional Foundation

Clark, a native of Floyd, VA came to the Foundation from Pontotoc, Mississippi, where he served as Workforce Director for the Three Rivers Planning and Development District and the Mississippi Partnership Local Workforce Investment Board. Biography

Barry W. Johnson

President

Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing Biography

Speakers

Dr. Lionel J. "Bo" Beaulieu, Director

Southern Rural Development Center (SRDC)
Dr. Beaulieu is devoted to human and social capital resource issues in the rural United States and the South; the educational success of rural youth; and expanding rural civic engagement

Biography

John Thomas, Director

Weldon Cooper Center for
Public Service
Dr. Thomas oversees the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service

University of Virginia.
Regional Effectiveness/Regional Collaboration

Biography

Conclusion of the Afternoon Sessions

Rest, Network take a break from 5:00 - 6:00p, then join the reception at 6:00pm

Networking Reception

6:00 -7:30 pm	*Networking Reception* *Featuring - Special Foods & Special Sounds!*
*"Special Foods"* "Special Sounds" Preserving Shenandoah Mountain Music	A tempting array of specialty food from Wyndham Virginia Crossings Hotel and Conference Center . . . Heavy hors d'oeuvres will be featured
	Shenandoah Valley Mountain Music Makers ~ Don DePoy - Martha Hills & *friends showcase Shenandoah Valley Mountain Music* Dedicated to preserving, promoting and maintaining the integrity and roots of the Shenandoah Valley's Mountain Music Making traditions and its various configurations including: bluegrass, old-time string band, American fiddle/banjo traditions, Appalachian folk songs, blues, shape-note and gospel, and traditional country music.

Dinner on Your Own – Enjoy your evening! Hotel Dining ~ ~ ~ Dining in Richmond

Day Two – September 14

Morning Networking - Continental Breakfast . . . . . . . . . . . .7:45 - 8:30am

Opening Keynote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:30am

Martin Kent, Chief of Staff for Governor Robert F. “Bob” McDonnell

Biography

On behalf of the Governor, Martin Kent, the 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.

Networking Break . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9:50am

Continue Tracks - - - Strategy and Deliverables

Session 1	Session 2	Session 3
Economic Development/ Job Creation	Education/ Workforce	Regional Policies/ Services
*Track Moderator:* R. Bryan David Ted McCormack – Recorder	*Track Moderator:* Dr. Oliver McBride Ted McCormack – Recorder	*Track Moderator:* Phillip Bradshaw Ted McCormack – Recorder

Determine how to advance and build deliverables based on discussion throughout the Summit

Actions ~ "Bringing it all together”

Summit Facilitator & Recorder Summarize Findings

11:15am	Economic Development/Job Creation - summarize and record findings
11:30am	Education/Workforce - summarize and record findings
11:45am	Regional Policies & Services - summarize and record findings

12:00 noon - 1:00pm ~ Networking Lunch ~ Glen Restaurant

1:00 - 2:00pm Action and Policy Initiatives

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

2010 Rural Summit Adjourns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2:00 PM