VAPDC Connections

Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions - July 2011

In This Issue

~ President's Message ~

~ Summer Conference ~

~ RVA Sustainability Summit ~

~ FOLAR in Crater District ~

~ Fields of Gold ~

~ NRV Unveils Tourism Site ~

From the President

As you know, July brings the 'new year' for VAPDC and for me this year, the beginning of my second term as your president. More than 100 PDC staff members, commissioners, sponsors, speakers and guests gathered in Virginia Beach last week to celebrate the past year and VAPDC's accomplishments, as well as, look forward to 2011-2012 and the many opportunities we have to see our organization, and our PDCs grow and prosper. It was a great conference and if you missed it, we'll hope to see you either at our Winter Conference or at next year's Summer Conference.

The coming year has many exciting things in store for VAPDC. Look for a new and much improved website to come online. We're planning on adding many more resources for our PDC members as well as news and information others can use. The VAPDC Board has contracted with Bill Leighty, et.al, DecideSmart to assist the Association in developing and executing its strategic plan over the next two years. This effort will help move VAPDC forward along with supporting our member PDCs and the many entities our PDCs work with to promote regionalism and efficiencies in government.

VAPDC continues to make great progress as an Association in working with state agencies and providing a forum where PDCs can network and exchange best practices to Create Regional Opportunities. I look forward to continuing to work with all of Virginia's PDCs and welcome your input. Get involved and help us continue approaching issues from a regional perspective to find solutions that work for Virginia.

Martin Nohe

President, VAPDC

Virginia's Planning

District Commissions

Lenowisco PDC
Cumberland Plateau PDC
Mount Rogers PDC
New River Valley PDC
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany RC
Central Shenandoah PDC
Northern Shenandoah Valley PDC
Northern Virginia RC
Rappahannock-Rapidan RC
Thomas Jefferson PDC
Region 2000 LGC
West Piedmont PDC
Southside PDC
Commonwealth PDC
Richmond Regional PDC
George Washington RC
Northern Neck PDC
Crater PDC
Middle Peninsula PDC
Accomack-Northampton PDC
Hampton Roads PDC

VAPDC Connections

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by the Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions.

Newsletter Deadline!

The deadline for the next issue of "VAPDC Connections" is September 10, 2011.

Please submit your articles to VAPDC.

Summer Conference Wrap-Up

Cavalier Oceanfront Be sure to visit the VAPDC Web site for complete summer conference coverage, including speaker presentations, attendee list, speaker profiles, photos and more. We look forward to seeing you at the Winter Conference!

RVA Regional Commission Holds Sustainability Summit

The Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission held a Regional Sustainability Summit on April 29, 2011 in Daleville, VA. Over 80 participants attended the event, which included presentations from 14 Roanoke Valley leaders who stated their vision for a sustainable and livable region. The Summit was highlighted with a keynote presentation by Mariia Zimmerman, the Deputy Director of the Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Summit served as a kick-off for the Roanoke Valley Livability Initiative, which is being led by a Consortium of local governments, nonprofits, businesses, colleges, and universities. For more information regarding the Summit or the Livability Initiative, please contact Jake Gilmer at [email protected] or 540-343-4417.

The Friends of the Lower Appomattox River Are Making Significant Contributions to Crater District Quality of Life

     In 1992, the Crater Planning District Commission, through its Coastal Resources Management Task Force, initiated development of the Appomattox River Corridor Study. This study included an inventory of recreational, cultural and natural features, an examination of current and future land use information, and it addressed water quality and wetland issues in the river corridor.
     This effort served as a catalyst for increased interest in river access along the Appomattox. Using Virginia Transportation Enhancement funding, the City of Petersburg developed the Appomattox River Heritage Trail along the south bank in the City.
     Included in the Corridor Plan was a recommendation to form a non-profit citizen organization, "Friends of the Lower Appomattox River" (FOLAR) to oversee and guide implementation of the Plan.