RD302 - 2009 Rural Economic Development Strategic Plan


Executive Summary:
Introduction

Pursuant to the Code of Virginia, § 2.2-2238.1, this is the fifth report prepared in an effort to develop and implement a rural economic development strategic plan for Virginia. As mandated by the legislation, this plan seeks to address the following issues:

I. Education, including pre-K, primary, secondary, and post graduate resources/workforce development programs, as they may pertain to the Workforce Investment Act;

II. Infrastructure, including capital for water and sewer upgrading, waste management, law enforcement, housing, primary and secondary roads, and telecommunications;

III. Traditional industrial development and industry retention programs, including assistance in financing and workforce training;

IV. Recreational and cultural enhancements and related quality of life measures, including parks, civic centers, and theaters;

V. Agribusiness incentives to promote the use of new technologies, and the exploration of new market opportunities; and

VI. Revolving loan funds or loan guarantee programs to help start or expand entrepreneurial activities, especially small business development in rural communities.

The Act requires the entities listed below to jointly develop and implement the plan:

* Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP)

* Center for Rural Virginia (CRV)

* Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)

* Virginia Resources Authority (VRA)

* Virginia Department of Business Assistance (DBA)

* Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission (TIC)

* Virginia Employment Commission (VEC)

* Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC)

* Virginia Community College System (VCCS)

* Institutions of higher education located in rural regions including the University of Virginia, Radford University, UVA-Wise, Virginia Tech, James Madison University, Longwood University, and Virginia State University

* Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS)

Process

The 2005 report highlighted initiatives implemented by the Commonwealth designed to spur economic development in rural Virginia. In addition, the report laid out recommendations about additional measures that could contribute to rural economic development. In subsequent reports, participating agencies developed a description of the various programs under their purview that assisted in rural economic development efforts. In addition, representatives of participating agencies formed a working group to review the existing programs as well as the Governor‘s economic development strategic plan. The group then surveyed the attainment of the plan‘s goals and objectives. Finally, the workgroup suggested additional recommendations for future rural economic development activities based on the Governor‘s objectives and current agency and rural organizations‘ efforts.

To prepare this fifth and final report, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) expanded upon work submitted for the plan in 2005 by providing updates to agencies‘ programs and initiatives that target rural areas. Agencies and other participants were originally asked to submit the following information:

1. Relevant items from the organization‘s strategic plan that pertain to the six topical areas outlined in the enabling legislation, plus impacts and transformations,

2. A short narrative description (bullets or short paragraph) on how the organization assists in these six areas, or

3. Any suggested changes and or amendments to the recommendations from the 2008 Plan.

While many problems and issues confronting rural Virginia were well documented, the VEDP reviewed the existing legislative studies pertaining to rural economic development and pertinent regional economic development strategic plans prior to the workgroup session. The second enactment of Chapter 737 of the 2005 Acts of Assembly required that this report be updated annually until it is fully implemented. This final report well documents the broad array of programs managed by various state agencies and the progress each of them has made in addressing the needs of rural Virginia. Participating agencies should be congratulated for the progress they have made to ensure that this plan has been fully implemented as it has. Going forward, it is recommended that the Center for Rural Virginia embrace the Goals and Strategies outlined in this plan as a foundation for its work program, monitor the array of programs for continued effectiveness, and suggest future programs and initiatives as warranted by conditions in rural Virginia.

Goals and Strategies

The Rural Economic Development Strategic Plan submitted in 2005 established a series of goal statements as the essential elements of the plan. This practice has been continued for subsequent plan updates, including the 2008 submission. The plan contains the working group‘s proposed goals in addition to the minimum areas outlined in § 2.2-2238.1 of the Code of Virginia that are to be addressed in the plan.