RD314 - Center for Rural Virginia 2011 Annual Activities Report


Executive Summary:
2010-2011 Annual Activities Report

Status, needs, and accomplishments of the Center for Rural Virginia

In 2010-2011, Center for Rural Trustees and staff actively sought out and formed working collaboratives to address pressing economic issues that face rural regions. Specifically, an on-going outreach to Planning District Commissions, Economic Developers, government leaders and rural leaders at all levels concerning the need for economically viable solutions to sustain rural. Rural areas continue to lose ground, face loss of business, small and large, and lose valuable citizens to other areas of the Commonwealth or to the state entirely.

Stronger working collaboratives are not only a major accomplishment for the Rural Center; they are vital to the future of rural Virginia. The Center for Rural Virginia and the Council for Rural Virginia serve jointly as the statewide voice and leading advocate for rural policy under the umbrella of Va Rural Center. Rural strength lies in cross-sector collaboration in order to create a competitive advantage, enable and promote strategic initiatives, focus on comprehensive outcomes and advocate for policy to enhance economic growth and social development.

Core Functions of the Center for Rural Virginia are to:

• Coordinate with private and public entities and organizations in support of rural issues

• Provide a structured forum for organizations and their representatives to analyze and advance rural interests (i.e., Caucus, Summit, Convening, PDC Reports, Regional Rural Caucus)

• Support and pursue rural economic growth, social revitalization and sustainability

• Develop and advocate for policy that promotes rural economic growth and social vitality

Va Rural Center serves as a catalyst to generate innovative and creative approaches for economic, social and demographic revitalization of rural Virginia, brings focus and voice to the Commonwealth’s rural issues and advocates for positive change.