ARC's federal-state partnership model promotes economic growth in Appalachia

RICHMOND--Today, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) announced that Appalachia's 13 governors elected Virginia Governor Ralph Northam to serve as ARC's states' co-chair for 2021.

Five projects across 11 localities awarded Virginia Telecommunications Initiative grants to help connect over 11,700 homes, businesses, and community institutions

RICHMOND--Governor Ralph Northam today announced that Virginians living and working in 11 localities will gain access high-speed internet thanks to more than $29.6 million in grants awarded through the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI).

Partnership between state and local government aims to stimulate economic growth and revitalization

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development today announced the five-year renewal of six Virginia Enterprise Zone (VEZ) designations in the counties of Alleghany, Henry, Lunenburg, and Pittsylvania, and the cities of Covington, Danville, and Martinsville, and the towns of Clifton Forge, Kenbridge, and Victoria. 

Grants totaling $90,000 will support entrepreneurial training and small business development programs

RICHMOND--Governor Ralph Northam today announced $90,000 in Community Business Launch (CBL) grants for the town of Blackstone and the city of Buena Vista. CBL provides funding to conduct business plan competitions and offer training to entrepreneurs that aligns with local and regional economic development strategies, primarily in Virginia's downtown commercial districts. 

Funding supports 11 projects that foster innovation, expand workforce development programs, and grow portfolio of business-ready sites

RICHMOND--Governor Ralph Northam today announced two allocations of Growth and Opportunity for Virginia (GO Virginia) grants, totaling more than $6 million.

Funding will support redevelopment of industrial and commercial structures in Vinton, Warsaw, and Wytheville

RICHMOND--Governor Ralph Northam today announced Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF) awards for the towns of Vinton, Warsaw, and Wytheville, totaling more than $1.4 million. The IRF provides gap financing to leverage local and private resources to achieve market-driven redevelopment of deteriorated structures, creating a catalyst for long-term employment opportunities and ongoing physical and economic revitalization.

Funding to advance regional workforce development programs, business scale-up initiatives in response to COVID-19 pandemic

RICHMOND--Governor Ralph Northam today announced two allocations of Growth and Opportunity for Virginia (GO Virginia) grants, totaling more than $9 million.

Appalachian Regional Commission POWER grants will support substance abuse recovery, broadband expansion, and economic development initiatives

Governor Ralph Northam today announced that Virginia will receive six grants totaling more than $3.9 million from the Appalachian Regional Commission's (ARC) Partnership for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative. The funding will support recovery health programs, broadband infrastructure expansion, workforce development, natural gas line improvements, and rural tourism and job growth efforts.

WHEREAS, Virginia has a long-standing commitment to conserve its energy resources and to help low-income households through the Weatherization Assistance Program; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development has administered the Weatherization Assistance Program since the program's inception in 1976, providing a variety of state and federal resources through 17 community action agencies, nonprofits, and local governments that serve people in every town, city, and county in the Commonwealth; and

Successful program is helping both residents and landlords to stay current on rent and mortgage payments

RICHMOND--Governor Ralph Northam today announced he is directing $12 million in additional funding from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to Virginia's Rent and Mortgage Relief Program (RMRP), due to high demand for financial assistance. The program assists households and landlords with rent and mortgage payments to avoid eviction or foreclosure due to COVID-19.