The Southside Planning District Commission (SPDC), comprising three counties (Brunswick, Halifax, and Mecklenburg) and 12 towns, was chartered September 15, 1969, becoming the seventh organized planning district in Virginia. Encompassing just over 2,000 square miles, SPDC lies along the North Carolina border and is home to 79,605 people (Weldon Cooper Center, July 1, 2021). The region also has over 70,000 acres of lake waters and a vast network of rivers and streams. 

The PDC community was deeply saddened by the unexpected passing in mid-September of long-time public servant Woody Harris. As many know, Woody was a passionate and vocal supporter and advocate of all things regional. His long tenure of commitment to service included serving as VAPDC President for two years (2012-2014) as part of his six years of service on the VAPDC Board (2010-2016). He also was a long-time member of the Crater PDC, being first appointed to the Commission in 1989 and serving in all three Commission leadership posts, including two years as chairman (2001-2003). He also was president of the Virginia Municipal League (2002-2003) during the time of his long service on the Emporia City Council. Woody’s leadership, insights and humor will certainly be missed.

VAPDC recently hosted a cybersecurity training session, “See Yourself in Cyber,” which was this year’s theme for the annual Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October. The goal of this free, one-hour virtual training on basic steps to protect online information and privacy was to educate and help people be more vigilant and prepared to protect themselves and others from online threats. The speakers for the event were Melody Foster with the Commonwealth Regional Council, and Thomas Bullock with the Virginia Risk Sharing Association. The training materials are posted on the VAPDC website here.