What an exciting year it has been for The Center for Rural Virginia (The Center). The Center had a memorable year, officially launching and implementing the Virginia Rural Leadership Institute (VRLI) and concluding the program with a graduation ceremony for the inaugural class. VRLI is the Commonwealth’s first and only leadership program devoted to retaining and attracting the best and brightest in our rural communities! VRLI’s inaugural cohort was announced in April of 2022 and after a competitive selection process, twenty-nine (29) rural leaders were selected to participate in the program from all corners of the Commonwealth.

In addition to the launch of VRLI, the Center continued to serve as a facilitator, advocate and creator of programs and initiatives that work towards success throughout rural Virginia. The Center’s Executive Director continues to serve as statewide spokesperson on issues pertaining to Rural Virginia. Additionally, the Center fundraised throughout 2021 and 2022 to ensure that programming and VRLI could move forward, though these efforts have become more challenging with a 40-year high inflation and a significant increase in operational costs and programming.

The Center continues to maintain its focus on rural economic development opportunities, workforce readiness, access to rural housing, broadband, entrepreneurship and small business, agriculture, and forestry opportunities, while also weaving together the topics of economic development with natural resources and conservation practices.

Highlights of the past year include: the successful launch and graduation of the inaugural class of Virginia Rural Leadership Institute, the 2022 Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity, 2022 Rural Caucus Reception, and Virginia General Assembly Rural Caucus weekly meetings during the 2022 legislative session, which the executive director served as staff for and organized.

Enclosed in this report, you will find a detailed summary of the Center’s activities throughout this operating year. It has been a true honor to work and meet with many of you as we traveled around the state visiting rural communities throughout Virginia. We sincerely appreciate the dedication and hard work from The Board of Directors of the Center for Rural Virginia. The efforts from the Board make the impact of the work we do at Center for Rural Virginia possible. We are grateful for the ongoing support from all of our friends across the Commonwealth.

Best regards,

/s/ Kristie Helmick Proctor
Executive Director