VA Rural Center

Throughout 2026, the @VARuralCenter is spotlighting VRLI alumni & their Community Impact Projects across rural VA. Today: Michael Crouse (Roanoke County) working w/ local govts on Brownfield redevelopment to turn underused sites into new businesses & revitalize local economies

🚨 DEADLINE MIDNIGHT TONIGHT 🚨 Applications for the 2026 Virginia Rural Leadership Institute close at midnight. This is your final chance to step up, grow as a leader, and make an impact in rural Virginia. 👉 Apply now: cfrv.org/vrli

There’s just 1️⃣ week left to apply for the 2026 Virginia Rural Leadership Institute — a program built to equip civic-minded leaders to make real impact where they live and work. Don’t wait! ⏰️ Learn more and apply today: cfrv.org/vrli

Kicking off our new alumni spotlight series in 2026! 🌾 @VARuralCenter is highlighting graduates of the VA Rural Leadership Institute and their community impact projects. First up: Heather Fay & Agripalooza—connecting farmers and small businesses to spark rural innovation. 💡🚜

⏳ 30 days to go! Calling all rural changemakers - applications for the VA Rural Leadership Institute close Feb 13! If you’re ready to grow your leadership skills, connect w/ other leaders, & make a difference in your community, now is the time. ⬇️⬇️⬇️ Cfrv.org

Congratulations to Carrie Chenery on her appointment as Virginia’s next Secretary of Commerce & Trade! 🎉 A rural VA native & former Virginia Rural Center Board member, her leadership & understanding of rural economies will be a tremendous asset. spanbergertransition.com/news/new-gover…

Here is a shorter X option: ✨ New year. New stories. Real rural impact. ✨ 📽️ Coming soon: VRLI alumni sharing how their community impact projects are shaping rural Virginia. 💡 Stay tuned!!!

Ready to grow your leadership and make an impact in rural VA? Applications for the VA Rural Leadership Institute (VRLI) are rolling in! VRLI builds skills, connections & real-world experience for rural leaders. Get more info & apply here 👇 cfrv.org/vrli

Congrats to Katie Frazier!🎉 Gov-elect Spanberger has selected her as the next Secretary of Agriculture & Forestry. Katie’s leadership on the Council for Rural VA & the VRLI Advisory Council has made a lasting impact! A well-deserved appointment! 👏

📣 Applications are now open for VRLI Year 5! Virginia’s only rural-focused leadership program is back for 2026. If you’re ready to strengthen and serve your rural community, apply today. 🗓 Deadline: Feb 13, 2026 ➡️ cfrv.org/vrli

Learning from Rural Virginia: Insights from the Virginia Rural Leadership Institute – The Virginia Tech Center for Economic and Community Engagement. blogs.tlos.vt.edu/cece/2025/11/1…

“VRLI gave me the opportunity to visit more of rural VA and learn from people that are doing the work to grow and enhance their communities” Great blog post on #VRLI from Dylan Andrews, Economic Development Specialist at @virginia_tech Center for Economic & Community Engagement!

That’s a wrap! As the 2025 Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity comes to a close, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all the attendees, speakers, and partners who joined us in celebrating and advancing the future of rural Virginia. Special thanks to Hanover County for hosting us!

Healthcare. Cybersecurity. Housing. Apprenticeship access. Community storytelling. Those were just a few of the amazing Community Impact projects our 2025 VRLI undertook. So great to meet them and hear their stories!

Virginia has become a hub for indoor farming, home to the world’s largest vertical farm campus. That’s just one example of the innovation discussed during our afternoon Summit session on next-generation industry and workforce development.

Affordability and remote work flexibility are among key factors bringing more young adults into rural Virginia and shaping housing demand statewide. Today’s Summit showcased how our Rural Virginia Opportunity Dashboard can help by supporting smart development and decision-making.

There is a growing demand for business-ready sites to support economic expansion across the Commonwealth. Huge implications for rural Virginia. This was among the key points made during our Summit panel on building vibrant rural economies.

Pair passion with data. Do your homework. Understand the historic tax credit process. Have the right people at the table. Those were just a few of many valuable and insightful tips shared during our Summit panel on historic revitalization.

70% of Americans do not know that a 250th celebration is happening. @VARevolution250 panelists at today’s Rural Summit stress the need for education and awareness. Honor, learn and be inspired from this moment.

Preserve, protect and advance prosperity in rural Virginia. That’s the mission. Thanks to @GovernorVA for an informative and inspirational keynote address at today’s Governor's Summit on Rural Prosperity. What happens in rural Virginia matters!