The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission recently helped coordinate the first Virginia Agritourism Conference in Staunton Virginia. More than 150 agritourism farmers, economic development staff and local government leaders attended.  The conference offered fresh ideas on event planning, marketing, regional networks, zoning, financing, legal structures, farm craft breweries and local wineries, bed and breakfast operations, food safety, and experience-based tips to make agritourism businesses a success in the rural economy.

Special guests included the Honorable Maurice Jones, Secretary of Commerce and Trade; the Honorable Todd Haymore, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry; Ms. Mary Rae Carter, Special Advisor for Rural Partnerships; and Dr. Ed Jones, Director of Virginia Cooperative Extension.  Farm tours along the Fields of Gold Farm Trail featuring Cestari Sheep and Wool Company, Mt. Crawford Creamery, Polyface Farms, Meadowcroft Farm, and White Oak Lavender Farm were a popular part of the conference. The Fields of Gold Farm Trail is an agritourism program spearheaded by the CSPDC to promote the Shenandoah Valley as an agritourism destination. 

The Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions (VAPDC) was proud to honor David Blount, F. Woodrow Harris, James A. Baldwin, along with New River Valley PDC, at the VAPDC Winter Conference in Richmond, VA.

David Blount was presented with the Gordon N. Dixon Award. The Gordon Dixon Award is intended to recognize a VAPDC commissioner or executive director who has provided leadership and make outstanding contributions to promoting the concept of regionalism in the Commonwealth of Virginia. David Blount has worked for the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC) since 1999. During his career, he has exhibited outstanding leadership in state and regional governmental relations within the PDCs, as well as for VAPDC. As VAPDC's Legislative Chairman, David has been instrumental in working to reinstate and secure funding for all PDCs. He continues to ensure that there is a connection between the Virginia General Assembly and the PDCs of Virginia. The success of his work is a direct result of his professionalism and ability to bring consensus. David exemplifies the values of the Gordon N. Dixon Award, in creating tremendous value for his regional community and raising the value and standing of PDCs across the Commonwealth.

F. Woodrow (Woody) Harris was presented with the Robert W. Baker Achievement Award. The Robert W. Baker Achievement Award is intended to recognize persons who have been involved directly in planning district commission activities and who have contributed significantly to promoting regional planning and development in Virginia. Past recipients include notable Virginians A. Linwood Holton and W. Tayloe Murphy. Woody has served on the Crater Planning District Commission (CPDC) and its Executive Committee since 1989; serving as Chairman for two years. Woody was first elected to the Emporia City Council in 1988 and continues to serve in that capacity. He represents the City on the Southside Criminal Justice Board and the Southside Regional Jail Authority. Like Bob Baker, Woody is an outstanding leader with a dynamic personality as well as an effective communicator for regionalism in the Commonwealth. He served a two-year term as President of VAPDC, helping to elevate the standing of PDCs within State government and to keep PDC funding intact. Woody's active interest in VAPDC and its programs has been instrumental in moving the Association forward and in developing a long-range strategic plan for the organization.

James A. Baldwin was presented with the President's Award. The VAPDC President's Award is intended to recognize an individual who has been involved directly in planning district commission activities and who has contributed significantly to promoting regional planning and VAPDC activities in Virginia. James A. Baldwin has served the Cumberland Plateau Planning District Commission (CPPDC) over a 42-year career as a regional planner, director of planning, and ultimately executive director. Jim has spent both professional and personal time working with not only PDC localities, but also regional and state agencies on behalf of many constituents throughout Virginia. Jim has served on various local, regional and state boards including VAPDC, Virginia Coalfield Coalition; The Crooked Road; Virginia's Heritage Music Trail "Round the Mountain"; Southwest Virginia's Artisan Network; Appalachian Sustainable Development, Inc.; and many other organizations promoting regional cooperation.

The New River Valley Planning District Commission was presented with the Robert M. deVoursney Best Practices Award for the New River Valley Livability Initiative. The Robert M. deVoursney Best Practices Award recognizes organizations that have initiated regional activities which have contributed significantly to the effectiveness of a region. The award recognizes innovation, excellence, commitment and/or service to the advancement of regional planning and multijurisdictional cooperation. The award showcases the creative work and ability to leverage resources and services of Virginia's PDCs. The New River Valley Livability Initiative, funded from the federal Partnership for Sustainable Communities, provided the opportunity for residents in the region to develop a vision of the future and identify strategies that businesses, community organizations, local governments and individuals can use to make the future vision a reality.

The Commission found highly innovative ways to engage citizens in genuine conversations about their communities, resulting in a planning document which is a foundation built upon six key community values identified during the process with four overarching themes, 18 priority goals and 177 strategies for implementation.

The three most substantial successes of the project are innovative outreach that secured authentic and genuine feedback from the public; community partnerships that are delivering positive change in the region; and 100 percent return on grant dollars through private investment within four months of closeout through the Solarize Blacksburg program. The Solarize Blacksburg model has been replicated across the state to 16 municipalities from the City of Richmond to Abingdon and numerous communities between.

Winning two Innovation Awards from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO), this visionary initiative reflects the character of the New River Valley and has engaged nearly 3,000 residents. The commission is partnering with the Community Foundation of the New River Valley going forward to help raise local funds to address local challenges. 

Accepting the award on behalf of the New River Valley Regional Commission was Board Chairman, Kevin Sullivan, and Executive Director, Kevin Byrd. 

Hampton Roads seasonally adjusted retail sales were $1.80B in December of 2014. Regional retail sales passed the pre-recession peak in September of 2014 ($1.79B), but have only grown 1% over the past three months. While both the state and the nation experienced weak growth in sales, they had experienced stronger growth during earlier stages of the recovery. Hampton Roads retail sales are only 1.1% above their prerecession peak (March of 2007), and have grown 15.4% from the depth of the recession. In contrast, while U.S. retail sales declined by a similar extent, they grew by 33.8% during the recovery, and are now 17.2% above their prerecession peak.

 Annual Sales Dynamics

Even as the overall level of regional retail sales has grown only modestly, the spending habits of the residents and visitors to Hampton Roads has changed significantly over time. Several categories that have seen significant expansion over the past seven years are general merchandise stores (+29%), food and beverage stores (+38%), and restaurants (food services and drinking places +39%). In contrast, revenues for building material stores (-26%) and accommodations (-17%) have not recovered to their prerecession levels, reflecting the damage that the recession had on the construction industry, and segments of the travel industry.

Internet Sales

Internet sales continue to grow both in absolute terms and as a share of U.S. retail sales. In the 4th quarter of 2014, e-commerce rose to $79.6B, or 6.7% of national retail sales. While some e-commerce represents economic activity that was created through the broader marketplace which the internet provides, a significant portion of online sales are cannibalized from local businesses. There are several reasons that this creates issues. One, internet sales have historically exhibited a lower level of compliance with sales taxes. Second, internet sales do not support local retail corridors, which hurt local stores and lowers commercial property values. Finally, internet sales do not provide jobs in the local community.