News

DEQ Hosts Brightfields Solar Conference: April 9-10

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The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), in partnership with Brownfield Listings, is hosting Brightfields 2019 – a solar conference – in Richmond, Virginia on April 9 and 10. This interactive two-day conference is a must-attend event for landowners, property managers, policy makers, solar developers, community leaders and individuals who are seeking to learn more about the application of land-based solar power production. Attendees interested in pursuing a solar project for their property will have opportunities to explore options with solar energy vendors and ensure their land is viable in the Brightfields marketplace. Registration is now open.

Statewide Agritourism Conference: April 3-4

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Agritourism entrepreneurs, economic development staff, and local government leaders will gather for the fifth annual Virginia Agritourism Conference on April 3 and 4 in Roanoke, Virginia. The Conference will provide resources, networking opportunities, and new ideas for agritourism entrepreneurs to enhance their business. This year topics will include developing an agritourism operation, managing the challenges of agritourism, delivering exceptional customer service, marketing, ensuring farm safety, hosting events, building a regional approach, and networking. Participants will also have the opportunity to tour local agritourism venues.

Farm2Fork Affair Showcases the Region’s Ag Producers

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Over 50 Shenandoah Valley agricultural producers, including 14 Fields of Goldmembers, exhibited their products during the Farm2Fork Affair on March 5 at the Rockingham County Fair Grounds. Buyers representing restaurants, universities, hospitals, and retail stores throughout Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington D.C. were able to sample and source products from this rich agricultural region. The event was hosted by a collaborative effort of regional economic development and tourism departments.
The Fields of Gold Farm Trail also showcased a booth, promoting the almost 250 agricultural businesses that make up this trail.

First Cohort Completes BRCC Cyber Security Training

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In 2018, the GO Virginia State Board awarded Blue Ridge Community College with a $200,000 grant to launch a Cyber Security Training Program. The CSPDC provides project management and grant assistance for this project.
The first cohort of 12 students completed their classroom training in February, 2019. Students will continue their studies with the Cybrary online training platform and assist with basic cyber risk assessments during their hands-on experience with Shenandoah Valley strategic IT consulting firms. Many of the students also earned their CompTIA Security+ certification along with their classroom training.
To welcome the second cohort of students, a new facility in Waynesboro will open this month. Graduates of the program will be placed in jobs that have an average wage of $54,000.

Rails to Trails Summit Held

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Town mayors, trail advocates, and state, regional and local government staff gathered in Woodstock, Virginia on February 22 to create a vision for a 36-mile trail that would link eight towns following a discontinued rail line between the Town of Strasburg in Shenandoah County and the Town of Broadway in Rockingham County. Citizens from the Town of Woodstock incubated the idea and hosted the Summit. Attendees evaluated the economic feasibility of the trail, and discussed ways to expand local and state government support for the project. The CSPDC is partnering with neighboring regional commission, Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission, to support the effort.