Virginia Rural Center

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Virginia Rural Center The VRC is a partnership of the Senator Frank M. Ruff, Jr.

Center for Rural Virginia and the Council for Rural Virginia, working to enhance economic opportunities in rural Virginia.

Congratulations to the Virginia Rural Leadership Institute Class of 2026!This morning, our graduates celebrated with fam...
10/03/2026

Congratulations to the Virginia Rural Leadership Institute Class of 2026!

This morning, our graduates celebrated with family, friends, mentors, Board members, and fellow alumni at The Mimslyn Inn.

Thank you to Senator Emily Jordan, Vice Chair of the Center, and Bryan David, Chair of the Council, for their remarks and words of encouragement.

Each graduate shared progress on their Community Impact Projects, which will continue to come to life and make a real impact back home.

John King, Center Board member, highlighted an example of that impact, sharing how the program has helped the Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative recruit employees.

The Class of 2026 now joins a network of more than 100 alumni leading in rural communities all across the Commonwealth!

Thank you to Delegate Chris Runion , Center Board member, for welcoming the 2026 cohort and sharing inspiring remarks ...
10/02/2026

Thank you to Delegate Chris Runion , Center Board member, for welcoming the 2026 cohort and sharing inspiring remarks on the eve of graduation!

The cohort celebrated with alumni, family, and friends at a reception and dinner tonight at Luray Caverns.

goes underground! The cohort had a special tour of Luray Caverns, the largest caverns in the eastern United States and...
10/02/2026

goes underground!

The cohort had a special tour of Luray Caverns, the largest caverns in the eastern United States and a cornerstone of the tourism economy for Page County — and the Shenandoah Valley as a whole — since 1878.

"Rural Virginia is the original innovator. We figure it out when no one else can." Heidi Hertz, Director of Virginia Rur...
10/02/2026

"Rural Virginia is the original innovator. We figure it out when no one else can."

Heidi Hertz, Director of Virginia Rural Health Transformation, shared the initiatives of the all-new, multi-year program, which will award grants to expand access, strengthen the rural health workforce, modernize health care delivery, and support prevention efforts.

Virginia received $189,544,888 in the first of five budget periods, part of a nationwide $50 billion initiative.

Earlier today, Matt Lohr with Lohr Leadership welcomed back to his family farm in Broadway — it’s become somewhat of a...
10/02/2026

Earlier today, Matt Lohr with Lohr Leadership welcomed back to his family farm in Broadway — it’s become somewhat of a tradition!

Drawing on his experience, including previously serving as Virginia's Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, he led a public speaking workshop right from his living room. Then he had the cohort put what they learned into practice.

Thank you for your words of encouragement, advice, and hospitality!

Broad Porch Coffee Co. had our cohort fueled up and ready to go for Day 2 this morning! Right in the heart of downtown...
10/01/2026

Broad Porch Coffee Co. had our cohort fueled up and ready to go for Day 2 this morning!

Right in the heart of downtown Luray, Broad Porch has been serving up fresh blends of coffee and all-day eats since 2021.

"Our business plan is pretty simple: I cook the food and she handles the money."Barbie Stombock and Greg Lockridge are t...
10/01/2026

"Our business plan is pretty simple: I cook the food and she handles the money."

Barbie Stombock and Greg Lockridge are the co-owners of ZoraJane Downtown Events, a boutique event space and custom dining venue that has become a staple of the Luray community. Last night, capped off a great Day 1 with dinner there.

Barbie is also well known in the local business community as the owner of the historic Virginia Gift Shop, right next door to the event space in downtown Luray.

Thank you, Barbie and Greg, for having us back and for sharing your story with us!

The cohort got a special look at the Luray Hawksbill Greenway expansion, thanks to Bill Dudley and Gladys McNemar at the...
10/01/2026

The cohort got a special look at the Luray Hawksbill Greenway expansion, thanks to Bill Dudley and Gladys McNemar at the Hawksbill Greenway Foundation!

The Greenway blends wildlife habitat for birds, butterflies, and trout with a two-mile, fully accessible paved trail for walking and biking. The expansion will add an educational trail and park highlighting the area's environmental, cultural, industrial, and archaeological history.

Great for locals and newcomers alike!

"In Luray and Page County, we are a valley within a valley, which presents a lot of unique opportunities and challenges ...
10/01/2026

"In Luray and Page County, we are a valley within a valley, which presents a lot of unique opportunities and challenges in economic and community development."

That was the message from Stephanie Lillard, Mayor of the Town of Luray (Official) and alum, who shared a warm welcome and insights to the 2026 cohort.

Meanwhile, Jackie Wood, Program Director of the Luray Downtown Initiative Inc, led a walking tour and shared community-driven success stories that have rejuvenated the downtown area.

was joined by Travis Clark, Vice President of Valley Health and Hospital Administrator for Page Memorial Hospital and ...
10/01/2026

was joined by Travis Clark, Vice President of Valley Health and Hospital Administrator for Page Memorial Hospital and Shenandoah Memorial Hospital, and Dave Nutter, Regional Director for Community & Member Outreach at the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association, to discuss the importance of quality healthcare in growing strong communities and the critical role rural hospitals play in delivering that care.

As Dave put it: “You can’t have economic growth without healthy communities, and you can’t have healthy communities without economic growth.”

Thank you both for joining us!

Address

201 N 9th St
Richmond, VA
23219

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