RICHMOND, Va. (June 6, 2023)—The Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions (VAPDC) has awarded Delegate Delores L. McQuinn with its 10^th Legislator of the Year Award. The award was created to honor legislators who serve as ambassadors for the advancement of regional planning and cooperation for economic and community development in Virginia. Delegate McQuinn currently represents the 70^th House District, which includes Charles City County and parts of Chesterfield County, Henrico County, and the City of Richmond.

Delegate McQuinn sponsored legislation that created the Central Virginia Transportation Authority (CVTA) in 2020 and previously served as the House of Delegates’ representative on the Authority.

“Delegate McQuinn's leadership and action on behalf of PlanRVA and the Central Virginia Transportation Authority (CVTA) put our region in a position to compete for funding on par with other regions across the Commonwealth,” said Martha Shickle, Executive Director of PlanRVA. “We are a more successful, vibrant community thanks to her efforts.”

Delegate McQuinn also was a previous sponsor of a budget amendment requested by VAPDC to increase state funding for PDCs by $14,000 per year, a request that was approved during the 2021 General Assembly session. “She is a leader in the House of Delegates, the Richmond region and across our Commonwealth,” said VAPDC First Vice-President Dwayne Tuggle.

"I am extremely appreciative of the honor bestowed upon me with the 2023 Legislator of the Year award from the Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions," said Delegate Delores L. McQuinn. "Planning District Commissions play a key role in establishing the essential collaboration amongst localities that leads to better decisions and communities."

In the House, Delegate McQuinn serves on three committees: Appropriations, Education and Transportation. She is a past member of both the Richmond City Council and Richmond School Board.

VAPDC's leadership created the Legislator of the Year Award to recognize public officials who support regional collaboration and who are actively engaged in public policy efforts that advance economic prosperity in the Commonwealth.

The first planning district commissions (PDCs) were established in 1969 following enactment the prior year of the Virginia Area Development Act by the General Assembly. There are 21 PDCs and regional commissions in Virginia made up of elected officials and citizens appointed by local governments. The purpose of PDCs is to encourage and facilitate regional solutions to problems of area-wide significance, 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 to share best practices, and advance regionalism across the commonwealth.