William Browning: A key to rural economic growth – increased availability of broadband services

Chris Graham

Many of Virginia’s rural communities still lack access to high-speed wireless Internet service, including right here in the Shenandoah Valley and parts of western and southwestern Virginia. While our political leaders continue to discuss, debate, and attempt to reach a workable solution on how to create more quality jobs and jumpstart our economy, it is…

Analyst: Cuccinelli lead in GOP race no surprise

Chris Graham

It shouldn’t be a surprise to see Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli with a solid early lead in the polls looking at the 2013 Republican gubernatorial nomination race. The attorney general’s office “provides more of an outlet for somebody who wants to move up and provides a lot of opportunities to get in the news, the…

Dem leader jumps on Cuccinelli gubernatorial run

Chris Graham

The prospect that Ken Cuccinelli will be making official his plans to run for the 2013 Republican nomination for governor has Democrats salivating. “Ken Cuccinelli’s impending gubernatorial announcement is further proof that his political career is about one thing and one thing only: Ken Cuccinelli. Instead of fighting everyday for Virginia families, he has used…

FEMA approves funding for Louisa following quake

Chris Graham

The Federal Emergency Management Administration has approved federal disaster assistance for individuals and business owners in Louisa County who experienced damage as a result of a 5.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Virginia on Aug. 23 and caused more than 40 aftershocks.  Gov. Bob McDonnell had appealed FEMA’s initial decision to deny federal disaster aid to Louisa…

FEMA denies earthquake aid

Chris Graham

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied Virginia’s request for individual assistance to help property owners affected by the 5.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Virginia on Aug. 23.  Damage assessments for residential properties are nearly $15 million, mostly in uninsured costs. “We are very disappointed in FEMA’s decision, and we will immediately appeal,” Gov. Bob McDonnell…

Vision 2020 announces board

Chris Graham

Creating a shared, unified vision for the future of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County has been an on-going process for the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce and hundreds of community leaders. Since 2009, three leadership workshops or forums have been held every six months, Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce members have been surveyed to collect the business community’s…