At Rural Prosperity Summit, Governor Spanberger Outlines Focus on Economic Development, Celebrates Major New Investments in Rural Communities

LEXINGTON, VA - Governor Abigail Spanberger today highlighted her focus on expanding opportunity in rural communities, continuing to create good-paying jobs for Virginians, and supporting agriculture and forestry amid the uncertainty created by federal tariffs.

In Lexington, Governor Spanberger brought together local leaders, small business owners, and nonprofit organizations from across rural Virginia for the Governor's Summit on Rural Prosperity to discuss the steps the Commonwealth is taking to support these communities. The Governor also met with medical professionals and local leaders at Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital to hear directly about challenges facing rural healthcare.

"Virginia's rural communities are vital to our Commonwealth's economy, culture, and future," said Governor Abigail Spanberger. "I was tremendously excited to announce a $412 million investment in Caroline County this week and remain laser-focused on bringing good-paying jobs to every region of the Commonwealth. I will continue to listen to local leaders and small business owners about how the state can best support their efforts. When we bring people together to have these important conversations, we can make sure the Commonwealth is doing all it can to help empower our rural communities."

On Tuesday, Governor Spanberger announced nearly 2,000 new jobs in Caroline County through a $412.5 million expansion by M.C. Dean. The Governor also recently celebrated a $64 million investment in Isle of Wight County and joined local leaders to break ground at Avio USA's $500 million manufacturing facility in Pittsylvania.

"Under Governor Spanberger, Commerce and Trade is growing an economy that delivers for every Virginian," said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery. "More than a third of this Administration's announced projects have been in rural Virginia, representing over 5,000 new jobs and more than $6 billion in capital investment. We are doing this meaningful community development across housing, small business development, infrastructure, broadband, and downtown revitalization. Our agencies continue to be committed partners to rural Virginia to deliver opportunity in every corner of the Commonwealth."

Last month, Governor Spanberger announced a $7.2 million grant to expand high-quality childcare in communities across Southwest and Southside Virginia. Additionally, Governor Spanberger declared a state of emergency to support farmers and cattlemen amid ongoing drought conditions.

"The Governor's Summit on Rural Prosperity is an important opportunity to bring together leaders from across the Commonwealth to focus on the future of our rural communities and economy," said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier. "This summit recognizes that farmers, loggers, forestry professionals, and all the people who support agriculture and forestry are not only stewards of our natural resources, but also the cornerstone of our rural economies. Through the connections and partnerships made during this Summit, we can strengthen the competitiveness of Virginia agriculture and forestry while creating lasting prosperity for rural communities."

The Governor also recently announced Virginia's first-ever dedicated Director of Outdoor Recreation - a position focused on growing the outdoor recreation economy, supporting communities that rely on tourism, and increasing economic development across the Commonwealth. A statewide listening tour kicked off in Southwest Virginia this week to craft an outdoor recreation economy strategy for the Commonwealth.

"Virginia's unique landscapes and natural resources are critical to our economy and are what make us proud to call Virginia home," said Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources David Bulova. "Partnering with our rural communities to showcase these spaces and support their economies is a key piece of the rural prosperity puzzle."

At Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital, Governor Spanberger met with healthcare leaders, providers, employees, and community partners to discuss challenges faced by rural healthcare across Virginia. Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital is critical to the healthcare needs of Lexington and its surrounding communities and is representative of countless hospitals and clinics across rural Virginia experiencing challenges that could impact their ability to serve their regions.

"Virginians throughout the Commonwealth deserve to have local access to the healthcare they need - regardless of where they live," said Governor Abigail Spanberger. "I am committed to contending with the ongoing challenges faced by rural healthcare - both broadly and particularly those caused by President Donald Trump's H.R.1. Thank you to Carilion Clinic and the Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital for hosting me today and allowing us to have these vital conversations that have real impacts on the health of rural Virginians."

Governor Spanberger has worked to address the healthcare needs of rural Virginians since taking office earlier this year. Virginia's biennial budget - signed by Governor Spanberger in July - allocates more than $500 million to protect healthcare access for Virginians from federal healthcare cuts led by President Donald Trump. Earlier this year, Governor Spanberger signed legislation to cap the monthly out-of-pocket cost of insulin at $35 and stop predatory middlemen from hiking up prescription drug costs.

"Families should be able to get care close to home, and federal cuts are making that harder for rural hospitals and clinics already fighting to keep their doors open," said Secretary of Health and Human Services Marvin B. Figueroa. "Virginia can't replace every federal dollar, but we can be smart about every dollar we have. That means investing in the services and health professionals these communities need, and making sure those investments actually reach patients."

"We appreciate Governor Spanberger's interest in and support for Virginia's hospitals and health systems, particularly those serving rural communities," said President and CEO of Carilion Clinic Steve Arner. "Critical access hospitals like Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital play a vital role in the health and well-being of the communities they serve, while navigating some very real challenges. We're grateful the Governor is taking the time to hear directly from our caregivers and community partners about those challenges and the opportunities to work together to ensure rural Virginians have access to the high-quality care they need, close to home."

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