RD40 - Annual Report of the Center for Rural Virginia (2006)


Executive Summary:
The Center for Rural Virginia serves as a catalyst to empower local governments, to encourage continuity, coordination, and cooperation across the state and between regions, and to generate creative approaches for the purpose of the economic, social and demographic revitalization of rural Virginia, while retaining its quality of life.

The Center is made up of leaders from across the Commonwealth looking for solutions to offer greater opportunities to rural citizens. ‘Local people just like the people we serve!’ During 2006, four regular meetings of the Board of Trustees were held; through a joint effort with the Council for Rural Virginia, the Center helped plan and conduct Virginia’s 2006 Rural Summit, and throughout the year was instrumental in bringing information about rural needs and opportunities to numerous groups across the state.

The hallmark of the organization remains constant, ‘collaboration’, and bridging the gap between services to urban and rural areas. Our challenges require innovative solutions and investing time and energy into promoting partnerships to work for increased opportunities and finding solutions for obstacles that face small business, rural farmers, agribusinesses, education and healthcare. Important to this effort is providing information on access to capital to give entrepreneurs the opportunity to position their business for growth.

In 2006, the Center partnered with technology companies across the Commonwealth to promote affordable broadband . . . broadband serves as a vehicle for rural advancement. Remote areas that once could not attract business and industry are on a more level playing field and have a greater opportunity to advance because of telecommunications.

This year has been a particularly busy one. The Center supported innovative approaches to addressing issues, challenges and opportunities facing rural areas. We are encouraged by the enthusiasm of rural communities and the inroads made with the help of volunteers across the state (i.e., citizens who care about and are willing to make a difference in rural). Positive results in 2006 represent the hard work of many groups, and serve to encourage continued efforts through regional dialogue to sustain long-term social and economic development in rural, remote communities.