VEDP Announces Rural Virginia Action Committee

RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) Board of Directors today announced the establishment of the Rural Virginia Action Committee. Comprised of board members, the purpose of the committee is to increase and sustain economic development throughout rural areas of the Commonwealth. As a state authority, the Partnership is governed by a 24-member Board of Directors comprised of businesspersons from around Virginia, each of whom is appointed by the Governor or the General Assembly.

Rural Virginia Action Committee members include:

Ned Massee, Chair
Mike Ligon, Vice Chair
Mary Rae Carter, Special Advisor for Rural Partnerships, Office of the Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade
Sissy Crowther
Mark Heath
Chris Lumsden
Dan Pleasant
Gary Walker
David Hudgins

“VEDP must expand endeavors to address the needs of thousands of Virginia citizens, as well as identify economic opportunities left undeveloped across the Commonwealth,” said C. Daniel Clemente, VEDP Board Chair. “With additional focus and resources, the Rural Virginia Action Committee can positively affect the job markets of rural communities.”

“Bolstering economic development efforts in rural areas across Virginia is critical to the overall economic health of the Commonwealth,” said Dan Gundersen, VEDP Interim President & CEO. “We are confident that the new RVAC will make a positive and lasting impact.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, a marketing organization, was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1995 to encourage, stimulate, and support the development and expansion of the economy of the Commonwealth. The Partnership is a state authority, which is governed by a 24-member Board of Directors appointed by the Governor and the Virginia General Assembly. To accomplish its objectives of promoting economic expansion within the Commonwealth, the Partnership focuses its efforts on business recruitment, expansion and international trade. VEDP has offices in Virginia, China, Germany, Mexico, Japan, India and the United Kingdom.