LEAD Virginia - Shenandoah Valley

Culpeper Times

Piedmont Horizons - Jim Charapich

Lead Virginia - Shenandoah Valley

June 2013

Lead Virginia is an amazing opportunity to understand our state. “The program is designed to challenge preconceived perceptions and invite evaluation through a focus on present realities in each of the regions. Participants increase their knowledge and understanding of issues and build the social capital necessary to LEAD VIRGINIA forward. The program broadens the perspectives of participants, thereby expanding their capacity to collaborate, manage conflict and lead in changing environments.” - Lead Virginia.

 

We toured the Shenandoah Valley as the third of seven sessions in the program. The opening day of this session was at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel in a very dynamic City of Staunton. The boutique hotel was renovated as part of a public private partnership with the City of Staunton. The development led to a vibrant business, arts, and culture environment in the heart of the city. Many of our group attended an evening show at the world famous American Shakespeare Theater's Blackfriar's Playhouse, strategically adjacent to the renovated hotel.

Our speakers ranged from school and hospital system presentations to the statesmen of economic development. When it comes to economic development, the Shenandoah Valley is a bold example of progress. Their “Go For It” mentality was a reminder of the American spirit that built our great Commonwealth. The results of leadership among the thirteen counties and twelve cities of the Shenandoah Valley Partnership for Economic Development was impressive. They have developed a collaboration that enables a very competitive strategy in global economics. Their ability to develop public land for recruiting companies makes a strong statement to companies interested in locating on the Route 81 corridor that they are ready for business.

We were treated to a tour of two small business locations that have created special products in very competitive industries. The craft beer industry is growing in Virginia. We toured the Devils Backbone Brewing Company, just outside of Lexington VA in Nelson County. The facility is spotless clean with an energetic and talented staff. We were given the 411 on brewing their special products and how they are planning expansions due to high demand. What a great example of entrepreneurship. The second location that we toured was the Mt. Crawford Creamery. There are only two creameries of this type in the Commonwealth. I consider this a “Craft” milk producer. They milk the cows, pasteurize the milk, and offer it for sale right on site in Mt. Crawford. The chocolate milk is amazing and very popular since opening the retail sales store in May of this year; another story of entrepreneurship and investment in the Shenandoah Valley.

There is another underpinning to the economic success of the Shenandoah Valley’s prosperity, the role of higher education. The influence of the major universities are threaded throughout the business environment. However, most impressive was the role of Blue Ridge Community College. The team at BRCC are at the table in recruiting efforts with a full set of resources for business. This is especially true in new environment of high tech manufacturing. The needs of business for an adaptable workforce is critical to regional economic success. The Shenandoah Valley has attracted high tech manufacturing companies seeking a quality workforce by setting the example of successfully supporting existing business sustained growth. This was evident in our visit to Carded Graphics, a company success story niche'd in the very competitive business of specialty packaging.

Finally, we were treated to dinner at Ms. Shank’s home in Dayton, VA, all 56 of us. Yes, this was literally her home. She and her family served us a hearty home cooked Mennonite supper. I mention this because at the heart of the Shenandoah Valley is a cultural foundation of work ethic, education, and self reliance. Ms. Shank’s hospitality looked effortless, felt like home, and yet left some 56 of us very satisfied. She had just published a cookbook full of her recipes. I could envision a second book on customer service.

I was honored to tour this part of the Commonwealth, strengthened in seeing the humble fortitide of great leaders, tempered by time and experience. I was also inspired by their ingenuity in deploying resources so successfully.