Rural Virginia Focus of Annual Reception and Dinner

RICHMOND, Va. – The future of rural Virginia in 2017 will be the focus Feb. 1 when state, business and local government leaders come together for the annual Rural Caucus Reception and Dinner.

Hosted by the Virginia Rural Center and the Virginia Association of Counties, the event will focus on collaborations and discussions regarding the issues that impact the vitality and prosperity of rural Virginia. Keynote speaker Stephen Moret, Ed.D., President and CEO of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, will share insights about the state of economic development in Virginia’s rural communities and ways state and local leaders can energize these regions. Moret led the Louisiana State University Foundation as President and CEO from 2015 to 2016. He served as Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Economic Development from 2008 to 2015. Before that, Moret was president and CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce.

The event will bring together state administration officials, members of the General Assembly’s Rural Caucus and local government leaders from rural Virginia. General registration is also available for interested members of the public. Attendees will gain an understanding of matters affecting rural Virginia and learn about possible solutions. The reception begins at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m.

The Rural Caucus Reception and Dinner will be held Wednesday, Feb. 1, at the Omni Richmond Hotel at 100 South 12th St. in downtown Richmond. For more information or to register visit www.cfrv.org/rural-caucus-reception-dinner.

About the Virginia Rural Center: The Virginia Rural Center is a collaborative partnership of the Center for Rural Virginia and the Council for Rural Virginia. Together, these two organizations work with federal, state and local policymakers as well as business leaders to grow economic opportunities and preserve the quality of life throughout rural Virginia. To learn more visit www.cfrv.org.

About the Virginia Association of Counties: The Virginia Association of Counties supports county officials and represents, promotes and protects the interests of the state’s more than 90 counties. VACo monitors state and federal legislation for changes affecting local governments, and offers assistance to county leaders regarding planning and implementing new ideas and technologies. Find out more about VACo at www.vaco.org.