Issue Position: Rural Virginia

Issue Position

As Governor and now Senator, Mark Warner believes the young people in Virginia's rural communities should not be forced to leave home in order to receive a world-class education or find a job. Informed by his background in business and technology, he has led efforts to invest in workforce development, increase access to cutting-edge technology, and promote cultural heritage in Virginia's rural regions. Both as Governor and Senator, the funding, programs and policies Mark has implemented have helped create jobs and reinvigorate economies across Virginia.

Developing New Economies

As Governor, Mark Warner made significant investments in new programs and facilities to train rural Virginians in new skillsets and provide targeted job assistance during times of economic hardship. The development centers and worker-assistance storefronts created while he was Governor have helped thousands of people get back on their feet to support their families. He supported the launch of the New College in Martinsville and Henry County, and helped fund Danville's Institute of Applied Research. He worked with CGI and Northrup Grumman to bring 800 world-class technology jobs to Russell County, allowing Southwest Virginia's best and brightest to compete in the global I-T industry without leaving home. In the Senate, Mark introduced the America Recruits Act, a bipartisan measure that provides targeted incentives for companies to locate operations in rural regions.

Access to Technology

As Governor, Mark Warner worked with federal, state, local and private-sector partners to leverage Virginia's tobacco settlement dollars to invest in building-out 800 miles of fiber-optic broadband in Southwest and Southside. At the time, it was America's largest rural broadband project, and it helped attract 2,200 jobs and $300 million of investment in Virginia. As a U.S. Senator, he has continued to advocate for broadband expansion by successfully amending the 2012 and 2013 Senate Farm Bill legislation to protect federal investments in rural broadband projects. Thanks to his efforts, tens of thousands of homes and businesses in rural Virginia have access to the educational and economic development opportunities provided through access to high-speed Internet service.

Improved Educational Opportunities

Gov. Warner created the "Race to the GED," an innovative partnership with NASCAR aimed at helping adult Virginians earn their GED high school equivalency credentials in 90 days or less. Simultaneously, he strengthened career and technical education programs to dramatically increase the availability of workforce certification programs for young people and adults transitioning through the changing economy.

Promoting Cultural History

As Governor and Senator, Mark Warner has helped launch and promote targeted investments in regional tourism initiaves that promote Virginia's unique cultural heritage. Gov. Warner initiated the Rails-To-Trails program in Virginia, which converts unused railroad trails into scenic biking and hiking trails. Mark also worked with local artisans to develop unique regional marketing approaches such as The Crooked Road, Round the Mountain, and the Appalachian Spring initiative to leverage. These measures helped to highlight Virginia's unique musical and cultural heritage and natural resource assets

Source