This year reflected continued momentum for the Senator Frank M. Ruff, Jr. Center for Rural Virginia, as programs matured and new initiatives were launched. Building on strong momentum from recent years, the Center continued to expand its reach, deepen its impact, and advance initiatives that strengthen rural communities across the Commonwealth.

One of the most notable milestones this year was the completion of the fourth cohort of the Virginia Rural Leadership Institute (VRLI). We proudly celebrated 23 new graduates, surpassing 100 alumni since the program’s inception. These leaders are now advancing community impact projects in their home regions, many of which are already taking shape and delivering tangible results. As the Commonwealth’s first and only statewide rural leadership program, VRLI was designed to retain, equip, and elevate emerging leaders committed to rural Virginia. Four years in, the program’s long-term vision is becoming reality as projects launched by alumni generate a return on investment in our rural communities.

The Center also reached an important milestone with the launch of the Rural Virginia Opportunity Dashboard at the Southwest Virginia Economic Forum in May 2025. Staff unveiled the platform through a live demonstration, introducing a first-of-its-kind, data-driven resource designed to support informed decision-making in rural communities. The dashboard highlights key demographic, housing, education, business, and health indicators, while also offering interactive asset maps that showcase infrastructure and community resources. Its Rural Resource Index provides a centralized guide to funding opportunities at the local, state, and federal levels—supporting governments, nonprofits, businesses, and individuals as they pursue impactful projects. With downloadable reports and trend analysis, this innovative tool represents a significant step forward in strengthening access to actionable data for rural Virginia.

Beyond signature programs and initiatives, the Center continues to serve as a trusted educator, convener, and facilitator on issues impacting rural Virginia. The Executive Director remains a statewide voice on rural policy and priorities while also leading the organization’s operations and placing strong emphasis on fundraising to sustain and grow the Center’s work.

Throughout the year, the Center successfully delivered several major initiatives, including the graduation of the 2025 VRLI cohort, the launch of the Rural Virginia Opportunity Dashboard, the 2025 Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity held in Caroline County and Hanover County with a focus on history and America’s upcoming 250th anniversary, the 2025 Rural Caucus Legislative Breakfast, and ongoing support and coordination of the Virginia General Assembly Rural Caucus during the 2025 session.

We invite you to review this report, which provides a summary of the Center’s activities over the past year. It remains a privilege to engage with partners and communities across every region of the Commonwealth. We extend our sincere appreciation to the Board of Directors of the Senator Frank M. Ruff, Jr. Center for Rural Virginia and the Council for Rural Virginia for their continued leadership, commitment, and dedication. Their support is instrumental to the Center’s success and to advancing a strong future for rural Virginia.

Warm regards,

/s/ Kristie Helmick Proctor
Executive Director
The Virginia Rural Center