The Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions (VAPDC) has announced Dr. Tamarah Holmes as the winner of its 2024 Robert W. Baker Achievement Award. The award was presented last week at the Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity held in Wytheville, Virginia. The Baker Award recognizes persons who have been involved directly in planning district commission activities and who have contributed significantly to promoting regional planning and development in Virginia while impacting more than one PDC.

Dr. Holmes is Director of the Office of Broadband at the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. She has been a leader in Virginia and beyond in advocating for and facilitating the expansion of broadband Internet to unserved areas of the Commonwealth. She has encouraged Planning District Commissions (PDCs) to be applicants for Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) funding and to be partners with Internet service providers to implement broadband projects. She has consistently worked with PDCs to facilitate their work in administering federal and state funding for broadband expansion Virginia.

Robert W. Baker helped organize the Southside Planning District Commission and served as its Executive Director from 1969 until his death in 1976. He recognized the pressing need for regional planning and cooperation and specialized in initiating regional projects.

Planning District Commissions were enabled by state legislation in 1968 and most were established the following year. There are 21 PDCs and Regional Commissions in Virginia made up of elected officials and citizens appointed by local governments. The purpose of Planning District Commissions is to encourage and facilitate regional solutions to problems of area-wide significance. This is done by promoting the efficient development of the physical, social, and economic policies of all districts by assisting local governments to plan for the future. The PDCs of Virginia joined together to create the Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions in 1987 to share best practices and further regionalism across the Commonwealth.