VA Rural Center

One of our favorite parts of the annual Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity is getting out of the conference room. Alongside the panels and speakers, the field trips give everyone a chance to see rural Virginia up close, and 2026 was no exception. This year we hit the streets for walking tours of Buena Vista and Lexington (shown here). Rural Virginia is full of incredible towns, Main Streets, and communities that thrive because of the people who call them home. We were thrilled to meet so many of them.

Moving rural Virginia forward means roads, runways, and rail lines. It also means opportunity, investment, and a future that doesn't leave small communities behind. At the 2026 Governor's Summit on Rural Prosperity, a session on transportation, technology, and economic opportunity took on both. Transportation is the backbone of rural Virginia's economy. The conversation looked at what it takes to move people, goods, and services efficiently, from the farms and forests of the Shenandoah Valley to the small businesses along our rural corridors. The panel also explored how emerging technologies like unmanned aircraft systems and electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft are creating opportunities rural Virginia has never had before. The takeaway was clear: when rural communities stay connected, economic growth follows. Thank you to our speakers for a great session.

Rooted in Rural Virginia. You bet we are! Agriculture and forestry are cornerstones of Virginia's rural economy, and they took center stage at the 2026 Governor's Summit on Rural Prosperity. Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier opened the session with an update on the Administration's priorities and vision for these industries. She then led a lightning round with leaders from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Virginia Department of Forestry, and the Virginia Racing Commission. They highlighted new opportunities, key initiatives and the work underway on Virginia's farms, in its forests, and across its equine and racing industries. The conversation kept coming back to strong rural communities, good jobs, and room to grow across the Commonwealth. Thank you to Secretary Frazier and our panelists for a great session.

Every thriving community starts with a place to call home. At the 2026 Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity, Delegate Sam Rasoul, a board member of the Senator Frank M. Ruff, Jr. Center for Rural Virginia, introduced a discussion on one of the most pressing issues facing rural communities: housing. Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade Kristen Dahlman guided the conversation as panelists explored creative solutions to rural housing challenges and highlighted successful projects from across the Shenandoah Valley. Delegate Briana Sewell, Chair of the Virginia Housing Commission, joined Dr. Tamarah Holmes, Director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, Dr. Monique Johnson, Chief of Programs at Virginia Housing, and Brandy Flint, Director of Economic Development for Rockbridge County, to share what’s working and where opportunities lie ahead. Thank you to our speakers for their insight, and to everyone in the room working to make sure rural Virginians have access to safe, affordable places to live.

No Rural Summit is complete without a reception! After a full day of big ideas and important conversations, attendees of the 2026 Governor's Summit on Rural Prosperity gathered at The Livery at The Georges in downtown Lexington to relax, catch up, and simply enjoy each other's company. There were warm welcomes, familiar faces, new friends, plenty of laughter, and the kind of easy conversation that turns colleagues into partners and partners into friends. It was a perfect reminder that the heart of rural Virginia has always been its people. Thank you to everyone who joined us for such a memorable evening.

Protecting what makes rural Virginia special. At the 2026 Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity, Senator Tammy Mulchi introduced Secretary David Bulova, Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources, for an update on the Commonwealth’s work to care for its natural and historic treasures. From farmland, forests, and waterways to the landmarks and stories that define our communities, rural Virginia’s natural and historic resources are central to its character, its economy, and its future. Thank you, Secretary Bulova and Senator Mulchi, for joining us in Lexington and for your commitment to the places rural Virginians call home.

Thank you, Speaker Don Scott! We were honored to welcome The Honorable Don Scott, Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, to the 2026 Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity in Lexington, and thank you to Senator Emily Jordan, Vice Chair of the Senator Frank M. Ruff, Jr. Center for Rural Virginia, for the warm introduction. Speaker Scott’s remarks reminded the room that rural Virginia’s future is shaped by the leaders, advocates, and communities willing to work together for it. We’re grateful for his time, his voice, and his commitment to communities across the Commonwealth.

Rural Virginia at work. At the 2026 Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity, Bryan David, Chair of the Council for Rural Virginia, introduced a session focused on one of the most essential building blocks of strong, vibrant rural communities: economic development and opportunity. Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery shared an update on the Administration’s economic development priorities and vision for rural Virginia, then led a fast-paced lightning round with agency leaders on the opportunities, initiatives, and resources available to support business growth across the Commonwealth. Eric Lin of the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity, Joe Benevento of the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation, Vince Maiden of the Virginia Department of Energy, David Manley of the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission, Rita McClenny of the Virginia Tourism Corporation, and David Devan of VEDP each highlighted how their work is helping rural communities grow through small business, innovation, energy, tourism, and economic development. Thank you to our speakers for sharing your insight, and to every attendee who joined the conversation. Your commitment helps make rural Virginia a place where people can live, work, and thrive.

Some of the most important moments at the Rural Summit happen in between. In between panels. In between speakers. In the hallways, over coffee, and around the lunch table, where old friends catch up, new partnerships take shape, and a quick introduction turns into the next big idea for a rural community. The 2026 Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity in Lexington was no different. These photos capture only a few of the conversations, handshakes, and real-life connections that make this gathering so much more than an agenda. Growing rural Virginia starts with the people who show up for it, and for each other. Scroll through and tag someone you connected with!

Federal funding, put to work in rural Virginia. At the 2026 Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity, Delegate Lily Franklin, a board member of the Senator Frank M. Ruff, Jr. Center for Rural Virginia, opened a session that gave attendees an inside look at how federal investments are already making a difference across the Commonwealth. Heidi Hertz, Director of Rural Health Transformation, shared how the Rural Health Transformation Fund is helping strengthen care for rural communities. Chandler Vaughan, Director of the Virginia Office of Broadband, then walked through how the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) and the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program are expanding high-speed internet and closing the digital divide. Healthier communities and stronger connections help build a more prosperous rural Virginia.

“It’s the people who make the places.” That was the heart of Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi’s remarks at the 2026 Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity, and these photos capture the people who filled the room in Lexington. The Lieutenant Governor called on government to be “fully in service to” Virginia’s citizens, and she reminded attendees that service starts with truly knowing the people, places, and communities it serves. She also named the real pressures rural Virginians face: hospital closures, provider shortages, broadband gaps, changing demographics, and a years-long drought threatening families who rely on private wells. Meeting those challenges, she said, takes public-private partnerships and every level of government working together. “Whether we are talking about economic development, tourism opportunity, education, Virginia has so much to offer.”

Every great summit needs a great host, and this year, that host was Rockbridge County. Nestled in the Shenandoah Valley, the region welcomed attendees to the 2026 Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity with its small-town charm, deep history, and thriving spirit of community and commerce. During this session, local leaders shared how Rockbridge County, Lexington, and Buena Vista work together to grow their economy, support small businesses, and welcome visitors from near and far. Moderator: Senator Chris Head Panelists: -Jen Carpenter, Executive Director, Main Street Buena Vista -Jeremy Franklin, Executive Director, Main Street Lexington -Brandy Flint, Director of Economic Development, Rockbridge County -Tracy Lyons, Executive Director, Lexington, Buena Vista and Rockbridge County Chamber of Commerce -Sheryl Wagner, Executive Director, Lexington, Buena Vista and Rockbridge County Tourism Thank you, Rockbridge County, for being such a gracious host!

When Governor Abigail Spanberger addressed attendees at the 2026 Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity this month, one of the first things she noted was that the room was standing room only. And it was. From the moment we kicked off with welcome remarks (shown here) from Kristie Proctor, Executive Director of the Virginia Rural Center, and Senator Creigh Deeds, Chair of the Senator Frank M. Ruff, Jr. Center for Rural Virginia, the energy at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington never let up. Over two days, leaders, advocates, and community champions from every corner of the Commonwealth filled the room with ideas, conversation, and a shared commitment to the future of rural Virginia. Thank you to everyone who showed up, leaned in, and made it standing room only.

Thank you to every organization that exhibited at the 2026 Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity! On October 14–15 at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, our exhibitors showed up with more than booths and brochures. They brought real resources, answered real questions, and connected attendees with programs and initiatives that are making a difference in rural communities across the Commonwealth. From workforce and broadband to healthcare, housing, agriculture, and economic development, you helped make sure the people working hardest for rural Virginia left with new tools, new contacts, and new ideas. We’re grateful for your time, your energy, and your commitment to rural Virginia. Together, we will keep growing and prospering.

Missed the 2026 Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity? Or were you there and want to relive it? On October 14–15, leaders, innovators, and champions of rural Virginia came together at the Virginia Horse Center in beautiful Lexington for two days of big ideas and great connections. Starting today, we’re bringing it back to you, one photo gallery at a time. Keep an eye on our feed, and when you spot yourself or a familiar face, tag them! Please share and help us spread the love for rural Virginia and the message that together, we will keep growing and prospering.

“Economic progress in Virginia has to include economic progress in every portion of our Commonwealth.” @GovernorVA Abigail Spanberger brought that message to the 2026 Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity. On affordability: Housing, childcare, healthcare, and energy costs shape whether communities can grow a workforce. “Broadband, water, roads. These things are not luxuries, they are necessities.” On listening: Her administration heard from 850+ stakeholders across nine GO Virginia regions this summer. The challenges are often the same but look different in rural places. Some communities have childcare centers with no open slots. Others have no center at all. On investment: 18 economic development projects in rural Virginia so far, representing 5,000+ new jobs. And “none of it happens by accident.” On small towns: Virginia Main Street, now in 30+ rural towns, generated $45M+ in private investment, 180+ new businesses, and 700 net new jobs in a single year. Downtown Wytheville won the 2026 Great American Main Street Award. On tourism: Visitors spent a record $36.2 billion in Virginia in 2025, and rural communities, including the Virginia Horse Center, are central to that story. On workforce: Executives on her European trade mission said it again and again: Virginia’s workforce is among the finest they’ve seen. On healthcare: A Joint Commission on Health Care report identified 13 rural hospitals at risk of closure due to federal cuts. Virginia’s Rural Health Transformation Program is investing about $190 million in year one. “Where you live should not determine how easy or how possible it is for you to be able to access care.” On the road ahead: Through a spring freeze and punishing drought, the administration secured drought designations for every county and waived fees to move emergency hay. And there’s reason for optimism. Virginia rose to #3 in @CNBC's Top States for Business, and more people are moving into rural Virginia than out. “In crisis and challenge, there is also tremendous opportunity.” Thank you, Governor Spanberger, for your commitment to every corner of the Commonwealth.

Leadership in one frame. Former Senator Emmett Hanger, Board Member of the Senator Frank M. Ruff, Jr. Center for Rural Virginia; Kristie Proctor, Executive Director of the Virginia Rural Center; and Bryan David, Chair of the Council for Rural Virginia, at the 2026 Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity. Thank you for your leadership, and for bringing rural Virginia together to connect, collaborate, and commit to the work ahead.

How do we define prosperity? What does it look like? What does it sound like? The answer may be different from person to person, and organization to organization. Candice Turner, MSW, Strategic Housing Officer at Virginia Housing, challenged all of us to think about how WE define it. Throughout the Summit she got some great answers. A place to live. Adult children who can come back home because there’s opportunity for them there. Opportunity. Access to healthcare. A state of being. Home. Thank you, Candice, for the thought-provoking exercise, and thank you to Virginia Housing, a proud sponsor of the Rural Summit, for helping make this gathering possible and for your work to advance affordable housing across rural Virginia.

Thank you, Governor Abigail Spanberger, for joining us at the 2026 Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity. You didn’t just stop by. You stayed. You listened. You talked with people from every corner of the Commonwealth, and you shared your vision for a rural Virginia where opportunity is within reach for every community. That kind of time and attention matters. It tells rural Virginians their voices are being heard. We’re grateful for your commitment to this work.