VA Rural Center
@varuralcenter
Bringing economic prosperity to rural communities throughout Virginia.
ID: 2614431108
http://www.cfrv.org 09-07-2014 23:57:51
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Wytheville resident and #VRLI cohort member Jen Otey welcomed everyone to town! She’s seen Wytheville’s revitalization firsthand bringing more people into downtown and received a grant for her small business. VisitWytheville “If I can’t find a parking spot, I don’t complain!”
“Rural VA more recently is seeing an uptick in growth. While a positive trend, it puts more emphasis on a need for more affording housing inventory.” Chris Thompson, Director of Strategic Housing with Virginia Housing shared with #VRLI housing trends and the impact in rural areas.
#VRLI traveled farther west to explore where the coalfields meet the bluegrass and experience the Clinch River that flows throughout the Town of St. Paul. Along with outdoor adventures, St. Paul VA Main St has shops, restaurants, the Western Front hotel, and the Lyric Theater!
Starting day #2 in St. Paul with a boost of energy and breakfast favorites from The Coffee Station! Owner Andrea Hicks shared with #VRLI her small business story and served up their exclusive Clinch River Blend Coffee! #coffeestationva St. Paul VA Main St
“Get Drenched on the Clinch!” #VRLI kayaked the Clinch River with Virginia DCR and ClinchRiverAdventure. Did you know? The Clinch is the most bio-diverse of all Northern hemisphere rivers AND home to the nation's greatest concentration of rare and imperiled freshwater animals!
#VRLI dove into energy policy with Jake Holmes, Appalachian Power External Affairs Manager and Will Clear, Managing Partner for VA Energy Strategies. With data centers and AI, there’s unprecedented growth in energy needs and rural communities will be part of the solution.
Deer and fish and elk(?)- Oh my! Did you know that elk were reintroduced in #SWVA in 2012? #VRLI learned from Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Director Ryan Brown how DWR oversees the conservation and management of wildlife and inland fish and how they regulate hunting, fishing, and boating in VA.
“We are here because we want to be here..” Thanks Terry Kilgore for welcoming #VRLI to your district and highlighting how rural is important for future energy resources, economic development, and the next generation. We agree- rural VA is the place we all want to be!
#VRLI is spending our last day in #SWVA in Abingdon- Great to be at the SWVA Cultural Center & Marketplace! Israel O'Quinn welcomed #VRLI to his district and emphasized that Southwest VA’s delegation prioritizes being a cohesive unit to support not just localities but also the entire region!
Kim Davis, Executive Director for the Friends of Southwest VA welcomed #VRLI to Abingdon and shared how they focus on the unique qualities of the #SWVA and use the region's cultural and natural assets support the local economy through a variety of initiatives. Southwest Virginia
“People have not lost their interest in news, but as local news has shrunk, people have filled their news diet with national news….but markets abhor a vacuum..” Dwayne Yancey, Cardinal News Founding Editor, shared with #VRLI its role in covering issues that affect #rural VA.
Keith Perrigan, Keith Perrigan Washington County Schools Superintendent and President of the Coalition of Small and Rural Schools, discussed with #VRLI unique rural challenges to K-12 education- enrollment, large geography, old infrastructure- and the role advocating for change.
