2020-2021 Center for Rural Virginia Annual Report

Summary

The 2020-2021 Annual Report of the Center for Rural Virginia, a review of accomplishments from October 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021, with a letter from the executive director. The report states that the Center was created by the General Assembly in 2004 and launched the Virginia Rural Leadership Institute (VRLI) in 2021. It describes the VRLI curriculum as a three-part approach of leadership skill building, understanding rural issues and a community impact project. It lists the 2021 Governor's Summit on Rural Prosperity, a virtual General Assembly Rural Caucus meeting, and participation in the 2021 virtual Local Government Day among the year's highlights.

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2020-2021
Center for Rural Virginia
Annual Report

Our Mission
The Center is a partnership of the Center for Rural Virginia, a Virginia legislative
entity advocating for rural policy, and the Council for Rural Virginia, an entity
organized by federal statute that is a conduit for building rural capacity by facilitating
the collaboration and creation of coalitions of the key economic regions and sectors
of the Commonwealth.


Our History
Created by the General Assembly in 2004, the Center for Rural Virginia works to
advance economic development, job creation, workforce development, education,
infrastructure, healthcare and other vital initiatives for the prosperity of rural Virginia.
                               Table of Contents
    Center for Rural Virginia – A Review of Accomplishments
             October 1, 2020 – November 30, 2021

A Letter from the Executive
                                ……………………………………………………………Page 5
          Director

  Organizational Structure      ……………………………………………………………Page 7

Project Overview & Specific
                                …..………………………………………………………Page 10
     Accomplishments
Partnerships & Collaborative
                                .…………………………………………………………Page 12
           Efforts
        Leadership              …….……………………………………………………Page 14

   Contact Information          …………..………………………………………………Page 16




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Dear Friends,

I am pleased to report that The Center for Rural Virginia (The Center) made great strides to advance
rural Virginia and address concerns that have challenged our rural communities. While we did make
great success, it would be remiss if we didn’t recognize that the Center was presented with
challenges in the 2020-2021 operating year that are due to the continued implications brought by the
COVID-19 pandemic.

The Center was proud to officially launch the Virginia Rural Leadership Institute (VRLI) in 2021.
The mission of VRLI is to retain, attract, and develop rural Virginians into innovative and civic
minded leaders who build strong local and regional communities and bring prosperity across the
rural areas in the Commonwealth. VRLI was originally born as a mechanism to address the
declining populations happening in many communities throughout rural Virginia. There are
countless stakeholders throughout the Commonwealth who have recognized the need for capacity
building and leadership development, but The Center decided to step up and take on this challenge.
The Center and countless stakeholders view VRLI as part of the overall solution to retaining and
attracting leaders in our rural areas.

The Center fundraised throughout 2020 and into 2021 from mostly private sector dollars to
establish VRLI and hire the appropriate staff to facilitate the program. The VRLI curriculum is a
three-part approach, including leadership skill building, understanding rural issues and the
completion of a community impact project. After a rigorous hiring process, in July 2021 the Center
retained a contractor who will serve as the Program Director of VRLI and point of contact for the
program.

In addition to the creation and launch of VRLI, The Center has continued focusing on its role to
serve as a facilitator, educator, advocate and producer of programs and collaborative initiatives to
promote economic prosperity in rural Virginia. The Center has prioritized their focus on broadband
deployment to our unserved areas, rural economic development, education, access to rural housing,
entrepreneurship and small business, agriculture, and regional opportunities.

To accomplish its mission, The Center continued existing efforts, as well as took on new initiatives
and programs to promote rural prosperity across the Commonwealth. The Center was pleased to
host the “Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity” in a face-to-face format at Longwood University
in Farmville, VA. Governor Northam served as the keynote speaker and several members of his
Cabinet participated in the Summit


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Highlights of the past year include: The 2021 Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity, the Virginia
General Assembly Rural Caucus virtual meeting during the 2021 legislative session which the
executive director served as staff for and participation in the 2021 virtual Local Government Day
(which took the place of our traditional face-to-face Rural Caucus Reception). Additionally, The
Center launched the Virginia Rural Leadership Institute, the first and only program in the
Commonwealth focused entirely on retaining and attracting leaders in rural Virginia.

Enclosed in this report, you will find a detailed summary of the Center’s activities throughout this
operating year. It has been a great honor to work and meet with many of you as I traveled in-person
and virtually around the state visiting rural communities throughout Virginia. It is the dedication and
hard work of our Board members that make the impact of the Center for Rural Virginia possible. I
look forward to another year of innovation, collaboration, and new initiatives to promote and
enhance rural Virginia.

Best regards,

Kristie Helmick Proctor




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Organizational Structure
Executive Director

The 2020-2021 operational year of the Center for Rural Virginia was the third full year for the
Executive Director, Kristie Proctor. Mrs. Proctor has been with the Center for nearly four years and
has taken the opportunity to build new partnerships and sponsorships to strengthen visibility and
programming at the Center. The Executive Director continues to perform other organizational
maintenance tasks, such as reviewing the organization’s structure, bylaws, collective services
agreement, operational practices, and other guiding documentation.

Statement on Organizational Implications of COVID-19
The Center for Rural Virginia has kept safety as a priority throughout the pandemic. Ensuring that
our staff, Board members and stakeholders remain healthy is our priority.

Annual Summit on Rural Prosperity
The Center was pleased to host a face-to-face/hybrid format for the annual 2021 Governor’s
Summit on Rural Prosperity, which was held November 2- 4, 2021 at Longwood University in
Farmville, VA. The Center for Rural Virginia co-hosted this event with the Governor’s office and
was proud to offer attendees the option to attend in person or virtually. It was more costly to host
this annual event than in previous years with the increase in catering costs and The Center essentially
running two separate events at the same time.

We were pleased to have over 200 attendees join us for the 2021 Rural Summit. Governor Northam
and many members of his Administration were able to participate, and it was a huge success.
Additionally, Lt. Governor-Elect Winsome Sears was able to join the event virtually and spoke to
attendees.

Board Meetings
We gathered virtually for the April 2021 Board meeting, however beginning with the July 2021
Board meeting we adopted a hybrid model, allowing Board members to attend either face to face or
virtually via ZOOM.


Collective Services Agreement

The Center for Rural Virginia is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization established by the Virginia
General Assembly in 2004. The creation of the Center was a recommendation of the Rural
Prosperity Commission, created by the General Assembly in 2000. The goal of the Commission was
"Prosperity for all Virginians". The 18-member Commission was instructed by the General
Assembly to “undertake a detailed analysis of rural Virginia economies and recommend flexible but
targeted state policies which, combined with local efforts, will help foster sustainable economic
growth in Virginia’s rural areas.”

The Center currently operates in a collaborative partnership with the Council for Rural Virginia
through a collective services agreement as the Virginia Rural Center. The two organizations operate

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independently but share an executive director and operate in conjunction to fulfill their joint mission
of economic prosperity for rural communities throughout Virginia.


The final report of the Rural Prosperity Commission was issued in December 2001 and featured
specific policy recommendations, including the creation of the Center for Rural Virginia to address
the obstacles and capitalize on the many opportunities of Rural Virginia. In 2004, founding board
members Senator Frank Ruff and Delegate Steve Landes, sponsored the enabling legislation,
creating the Center.

The 21-member board of the Center for Rural Virginia works in partnership with Board at the
Council for Rural Virginia. The Council is associated with the National Rural Development
Partnership, created out of the 2002 Farm Bill.

The Executive Director actively participates in Partners for Rural America (PRA), and the Council is
a member of this organization. PRA’s mission is to support the efforts of its member State Rural
Development Councils (SRDC’s), which are uniquely positioned:
    To provide a collective voice for rural America
    To expand social and economic opportunities for America’s rural communities and their
      residents;
    To promote equal treatment of rural America by government agencies and the private
      sector;

Together, the Center for Rural Virginia and the Council for Rural Virginia work with federal, state
and local policymakers and regulators as well private sector stakeholders to improve economic
opportunities and preserve the quality of life throughout rural Virginia.

Institutional Partners

In addition to the support of the Virginia General Assembly and the Governor’s Office, the Virginia
Rural Center continues to enjoy partnerships with two other entities that make the daily operations
of the Center for Rural Virginia and the Council for Rural Virginia efficient, effective and
successful.

The first is the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). This
agency provides office space to the Executive Director and VRLI’s Program Director. Additionally,
DHCD provides back-office support and assistance that enhances the productivity and accessibility
at The Virginia Rural Center.

The second is Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. The
Virginia Rural Center’s partnership with VCE, through the Council for Rural Virginia, provides
assets and operational efficiencies that greatly enhance the cost-effective operation for both entities
of the Virginia Rural Center. Virginia Tech serves as the payroll agent to the Executive Director.




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Annual Sponsors

The Center for Rural Virginia is fortunate to have numerous organizational sponsors committed to
the Center’s mission and rural prosperity. The financial support from these organizations is critical
to the success of the Virginia Rural Center.

These sponsors include (in alphabetical order):

      Appalachian Power
      AT&T
      Century Link
      Dominion Energy
      Farm Bureau of Virginia
      Farm Credit
      James River Air Conditioning Company
      Letterpress Communications
      Longwood University
      Old Dominion Electric Cooperative
      The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development
      The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission
      Southside Electric Cooperative
      Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project
      Virginia Community Capital
      Virginia Innovation Partnership Authority
      Virginia Resources Authority
      We Work for Health




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Project Overview & Status Updates
We are pleased to share an update on the Center’s projects. During the 2020-2021 operating year,
the collective organization and its individual entities entered into several projects and partnerships
with the overall mission of enhancing rural Virginia.

2021 Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity

The Center was pleased to continue its partnership with the Governor’s office and present the 2021
Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity, hosted by the Virginia Rural Center. The event was hosted at
Longwood University in Farmville, VA. For the first time ever, we hosted this event in a hybrid
format, allowing attendees to join us either virtually or in person. Additionally, to address safety
concerns, we provided masks and hand sanitizer to attendees who joined us face to face.

This annual event significantly contributes to building the Rural Center’s profile and accomplishing
its mission. The event brought together administration officials, members of the Virginia General
Assembly, local government representatives, private business leaders and other stakeholders
committed to rural prosperity across Virginia.

The multi day event focused on economic development, community vibrancy, connectivity, rural
health and more and featured experts from across the Commonwealth. Governor Northam served
as the keynote speaker and highlighted that Virginia is leading the way in broadband partnerships
and is poised to become the first large state in the union with universal coverage in 2024. Governor
Northam spoke at the summit and said “Broadband is like electrification was in the 1900’s, it’s a
necessity”.

Lt. Gov.-Elect Winsome Sears participated virtually while traversing the Commonwealth, reinforcing
her commitment to rural Virginia.

Highlights included a sneak peek of the 2022-2026 Virginia Rural Health Plan and Data Commons
which will be unveiled next month, updates on the U.S. Census and regional economic development
opportunity, panels on regional entrepreneurship and successful broadband partnerships and an
interactive tour of community revitalization projects in Farmville.

Key speakers included:
    Governor Ralph Northam
    Northam’s Chief Broadband Advisor, Evan Feinman
    Lt. Governor- Elect Winsome Sears
    House Delegate and Chair of the Virginia Rural Center, Roslyn Tyler
    Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, Bettina Ring
    Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Cassidy Rasnick
    Senator and Chair of Virginia's Broadband Advisory Council, Jennifer Boysko
    Senator Monty Mason
    Senator Frank Ruff
    Senator Mark Peake
    CEO & President of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Stephen Moret
    Mayor of Farmville, David Whitus

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Virginia General Assembly’s Rural Caucus

The Virginia Rural Center (VRC) organized and staffed a virtual meeting of the Virginia General
Assembly’s Rural Caucus during the 2021 General Assembly session.

Due to the virtual format of the 2021 session, VRC decided to host Rural Caucus through a virtual
platform. In previous years, the Rural Caucus meetings have been held weekly, but VRC did not see
that being realistic schedule for a short and mostly virtual session.

The special guests for the 2021 Rural Caucus meeting were The Honorable Brian Ball, Virginia’s
Secretary of Commerce & Trade, and Evan Feinman, The Governor’s Chief Broadband Advisor.

The Rural Caucus provided an opportunity for legislators and stakeholders to learn about legislation
and initiatives impacting rural areas of the State. At the Rural Caucus meeting, legislators heard
from stakeholders and cabinet members about legislation and its potential effect on rural Virginia.

This meeting was a great opportunity to share information, learn, and collaborate to increase
prosperity across rural Virginia.


Virtual Local Government Day

The Virginia Rural Center along with Virginia Association of Counties (VACO), Virginia Municipal
League (VML), and the Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions (VAPDC) held a
virtual Local Government Day on Thursday, January 28, 2021!

Governor Ralph Northam was the keynote speaker and legislation was discussed that would
strengthen Virginia’s communities. Numerous legislators were invited to join the discussion, including
Center for Rural Virginia’s Chair, Delegate Roslyn Tyler. There were presentations provided that
delivered legislative reports on the major issues facing local government in the 2021 General Assembly
Session.

This virtual event took the place of the annual Rural Caucus Reception that typically occurs in
person and assembles hundreds of business and government leaders from across rural Virginia.




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Partnerships and Collaborative Efforts
The Virginia Rural Center engages in numerous partnerships and collaborative efforts with other
organizations. These partners, often sharing aligned missions, exponentially strengthen the Rural
Center’s efforts and provide a platform to elevate the Commonwealth’s rural issues.


Partners for Rural America, Board of Directors Member

Partners for Rural America (PRA) was founded in 1998 to support the efforts of its member State
Rural Development Councils (SRDCs), which are uniquely positioned to expand economic and
social opportunities for America's rural communities and their residents, promote equal treatment of
rural America by government agencies and the private sector and provide a collective voice for rural
America. Joined in January 2018, the PRA Board of Directors provides a networking platform for
other state rural center leaders to share successes and answer inquiries on best practices in member
states.

Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Rural Think Tank Member

With membership beginning in June 2018, the Rural Think Tank, led by the Virginia Economic
Development Partnership seeks to identify and address issues rural communities face in economic
development. The Rural Center plays a key role in the group through contributing in-the-field
knowledge and identifying opportunities in services and initiatives directed at serving rural areas of
the Commonwealth.

Broadband Advisory Council, Board of Directors Member

The Broadband Advisory Council was established to help determine the Commonwealth's goals for
broadband and how best to achieve them. The Rural Center’s executive director gathers knowledge
and contributes thought to further advocate for broadband expansion across the Commonwealth.

Virginia Housing, Rural Housing Advisory Council Member

The Rural Housing Advisory Council (RHAC) is a cross-regional group that will provide guidance
and expertise to Virginia Housing regarding housing issues in rural Virginia. Mrs. Proctor became a
member of Virginia Housing’s Rural Housing Advisory Council in August 2018 and she is pleased to
take on this role and provide additional insight to the housing needs in rural Virginia.

Legislative Sportsmen Caucus, Participant

Formed in 2004, the Virginia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus is a bipartisan, bicameral group of
legislators dedicated to protecting and advancing hunting, fishing, trapping and recreational shooting
in Virginia. Regular involvement by the Rural Center in the Legislative Sportsmen Caucus includes
participating in and recruitment for weekly legislative sportsman caucus meetings and providing
support for the annual sportsman caucus retreat.


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Southwest Virginia Veterans Coalition, Participant

The Southwest Virginia Veterans Coalition was formed by Secretary of Veterans Affairs, The
Honorable Carlos Hopkins and regional leaders to promote regional collaboration on issues
affecting veterans in the Southwest area of the Commonwealth. As an active participant of the
coalition, the Rural Center’s executive director helped to recruit participants and regularly
participates in dialogue.




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Leadership
Board of Trustees
Center for Rural Virginia
Chair, Honorable Roslyn Tyler, Member, Virginia House of Delegates
Vice-Chair, Honorable Frank M. Ruff, Jr., Member, Senate of Virginia
Honorable Les Adams, Member, Virginia House of Delegates
Honorable Brian Ball, Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Commonwealth of Virginia
Hope F. Cupit, CPA, President & CEO, Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project
Honorable Justin Fairfax, Lieutenant Governor, Commonwealth of Virginia
Honorable Wendy Gooditis, Member, Virginia House of Delegates
Patricia Harper-Tunley, Certified Travel Concierge, P.T. Enterprise LLC
Julie Hensley, President, Law Office of Julie D. Hensley
Anne Herring, Partnership Liaison Specialist, Rural Development Innovation Center, United States
Department of Agriculture
Honorable Chris Hurst, Member, Virginia House of Delegates
Brian Isringhausen, CEO, Cranemasters, Inc.
Ron Jefferson, Manager of External Affairs, Appalachian Power
Willene A. Johnson, Ph. D, Independent Consultant
Honorable Jennifer McClellan, Member, Senate of Virginia
Liz Povar, Principal Officer, The River Link Group
Eddie Ramirez, Ramirez Consulting, LLC
Honorable Bettina Ring, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, Commonwealth of Virginia
Chris Van Vlack, Farmer, Hanging Rock Hay & Bush Hog
Lindsey Watson, Director of Government Affairs, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative




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In partnership with
Board of Directors – Council for Rural Virginia
Chair, Bryan David, Program Director, Growth and Opportunity Virginia Region 3
Vice-Chair, Dr. Edwin Jones, Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech
Shannon Blevins, Associate Vice Chancellor for Economic Development and Engagement, University of
Virginia’s College at Wise
The Honorable Ruby Brabo, Realtor
Katie Frazier, Director, Farm Credit of the Virginias Knowledge Center
Sharon Johnson, CEO of the Shenandoah Valley Workforce Investment Board
Hugh Joyce, Owner, James River Air Conditioning
Gary Keener, Dabney S. Lancaster Community College
John A. King II, General Manager and Vice President of Sales, VA Poultry Growers Cooperative
Caroline Lane, Director of Coaching Programs, Virginia’s Community Colleges
Mark Lawrence, Vice President of Governmental and External Affairs, Carilion Clinic
Patrick Mauney, Executive Director, Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Commission
Jay Poole, Owner, Common Sense Strategies
R. Morgan Quicke, County Administrator, Richmond County
Robin Sullenberger, Retired, Shenandoah Valley Partnership
Bill Tucker, Tucker Family Farms
Brian T. Warner, Rolls Royce
Carlyle Wimbish, Hickory Hill Farm




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Contact Information




                 Kristie Helmick Proctor
                   Executive Director
                       804.781.4131
                  varuralcenter@vt.edu

                600 East Main St., Suite 300
                   Richmond, VA 23219

                For more information, visit:
                      www.cfrv.org




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