RON RORDAM Outreach coordinator, Rural Resilience Initiative at Virginia Tech Former mayor of Blacksburg Former president of Virginia Municipal League 540-552-5204 ron.rordam@gmail.com After 25 years in local government, 12 as mayor, what did you learn about being a small community in Appalachia? What I found as an elected official all those years, is that… Continue Reading Create a community where people want to live
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Agribusiness is the backbone of small towns
KYLE SHREVE Executive Director, Virginia Agribusiness Council Phone: 804-643-3555 Email: Kyle@va-agribusiness.org What kind of services do you provide that benefit small towns? We primarily are a government relations trade association, so being an advocate for rural Virginia in Richmond and the issues that affect them. For example, we had a very high priority… Continue Reading Agribusiness is the backbone of small towns
Collaboration is the keystone to economic development
TELLY TUCKER Director of Economic Development City of Danville Email: telly.tucker@discoverdanville.com Phone: 434-793-1753 In your background working in cities and towns, what are the most important lessons? In my opinion, the most valuable lesson would probably be one of collaboration. Being willing to work with partners. Economic development is a team sport and… Continue Reading Collaboration is the keystone to economic development
USDA Rural Development helps build communities
LAURETTE TUCKER Rural Business Specialist, USDA Email: laurette.tucker@va.usda.gov Phone: 434-392-4906 x125 You work mostly with Agricultural Producers, does this work have an impact on small towns? It certainly has an impact on small towns. Within my particular division, Rural Business, we do have programs that agricultural producers can take advantage of. The value… Continue Reading USDA Rural Development helps build communities
Every town has tourism potential
SANDRA TANNER Tourism Development SpecialistVirginia Tourism CorporationEmail: stanner@virginia.org What region do you serve? Can you just describe what that includes? I’m in the southern central coastal region. That is Martinsville to Suffolk and all the counties off of the James River, so I basically have the border communities, some coastal communities, some central… Continue Reading Every town has tourism potential
Resources
Bring cancer-prevention information to your community Five universities are working together to make sure that people in Appalachia do not suffer a greater cancer risk than people elsewhere. Virginia Tech is a partner in the Appalachia Community Cancer Network (ACCN), which is one of 23 Community Networks Program Centers across the country funded by the… Continue Reading Resources
Extension
Promoting the economic impact of agriculture PHIL BLEVINS Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent, Washington County Blevins works with local groups to promote agriculture and demonstrate its impact on the economy. He has coordinated grants that brought more than $3.4 million to benefit livestock producers in Southwest Virginia, covering things like working… Continue Reading Extension
Workforce development links
Virginia Workforce Network – Learn about the available resources for job seekers and employers Providing up-to-date workforce information on Virginia’s economy, this website serves as a key resource to connect job seekers and employers to workforce and professional resources in the Commonwealth. Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs) – Gain more knowledge of regional… Continue Reading Workforce development links
Entrepreneurship links
Blue Ridge Crossroads Economic Development Authority (BRCEDA) – Regional Entrepreneurship BRCEDA focuses on developing a culture of entrepreneurship on a regional scale. To find out more about what this entails, visit their website for more details and contact information. Small Business Administration – Find a Small Business Development Center near you The… Continue Reading Entrepreneurship links
Connect With Experts
Local, county, business and government leaders share their expertise and invite your questions. Why two words – ‘target’ and ‘focus’ – are vital JOHN ACCORDINO Dean, L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Virginia Commonwealth University Phone: 804-827-0776 Email: jaccordi@vcu.edu Describing the heart of Appalachia JO ALLISON Mystery Author Retired professor of economics,… Continue Reading Connect With Experts
