Recent News

VATI Image

05.11.2023
Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced more than $59.5 million in grants through the Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) for 14 projects serving 20 localities throughout Virginia. The VATI program provides targeted funding to extend service to areas that are presently underserved by any broadband provider.    “In today’s increasingly digital world, having access to high-speed broadband is no longer a luxury, it is necessary in order to fully participate in daily life,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “These investments will allow us to reach underserved communities, grow Virginia’s economy and close the digital divide across the Commonwealth.”    The goal of VATI is to create strong, competitive communities throughout the Commonwealth by preparing those communities to build, utilize, and capitalize on telecommunications infrastructure. This year’s funding leverages more than $118.6 million in local and private sector matching funds.  “Closing the digital divide is paramount to growing Virginia’s economy, supporting businesses and ensuring that all Virginians have the resources they need to thrive,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. “These investments will connect over 29,400 homes, businesses and community anchors, making critical strides toward achieving universal broadband in Virginia.”   The Department of Housing and Community Development administers the VATI program, which provides targeted financial assistance to extend broadband service to areas that are currently unserved by a provider. Projects were selected through a competitive process that evaluated each project for demonstrated need and benefit for the community, applicant readiness and capacity, and the cost and leverage of the proposed project. The level of funding awarded is based on the infrastructure needs in the project area.   In this application year, VATI received 35 applications requesting more than $300 million in funding. Since 2017, Virginia has invested more than $798.7 million to connect over 358,000 homes, businesses and community anchors within 84 localities. Additional information on VATI is available here. Locality/Organization Project Name Award Essex County  Essex County VATI 2023 $8,753,009 Southside Planning District Commission  Regional Fiber Broadband Project Phase 2 $8,556,028.84 West Piedmont Planning District Commission 2023 WPPDC East Universal Broadband Project $8,155,864 Caroline County  VATI 2023 Eastern Caroline $6,446,000 Shenandoah County  Shenandoah County VATI Broadband Grant Application 2023 $4,936,968 West Piedmont Planning District Commission 2023 WPPDC Pittsylvania County Universal Broadband Project $3,548,250 Greensville County  Greensville County - Verizon FY23 VATI Project $2,956,774.80 Orange County  Orange County FiberLync VATI FY23 Project $2,181,000 Caroline County  VATI 2023 Western Caroline $2,032,334 Bedford County  Bedford County and Shentel 2023 VATI Grant Application $1,373,161.74 Floyd County  Floyd County: Extending Fiber Along Private Roads and Apartments $1,339,387 Chesterfield County  Chesterfield VA VATI 2023 Application $755,523 Henrico County  Henrico County Universal Broadband Project $501,620 West Piedmont Planning District Commission 2023 West Piedmont Planning District Commission West Universal Broadband Project (Letter of Intent) $8,013,600   TOTAL: $59,549,520.38

Overhead shot of an oceanic port filled with colorful cargo ships

04.19.2023
Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced $1.5 million in Port Host Communities Revitalization Fund awards for the cities of Newport News, Norfolk and Portsmouth in advance of his international trade mission to Taiwan, Japan and South Korea where he will discuss Virginia's expansive and growing port capabilities with key industry leaders. The three grants will redevelop a world-class maritime operations and logistics center in Norfolk, a bulkhead replacement project in Portsmouth and the rehabilitation of a waterfront industrial property in Newport News. “Transforming blighted structures will not only promote job growth, but will serve as a catalyst for new economic opportunities in these port host communities,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “By investing in these projects through the Port Host Community Revitalization Fund, we are making strides to improve our infrastructure, our economy and the quality of life for Virginians.” The General Assembly allocated $1.5 million in Port Host Communities Revitalization Fund grants through 2023 for a competitive application round. This funding is only available to Virginia’s five port host communities of the town of Front Royal and the cities of Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Richmond to assist with the removal, renovation or modernization of port-related buildings and facilities in the communities. “The key to the Port Host Communities Revitalization Fund’s effectiveness is its flexibility,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. “It allows us to address a range of needs with blighted structures in the port host communities, each with a unique market-driven purpose and route to revitalization.” For more information, visit dhcd.virginia.gov/phcrf.   2023 Port Host Communities Revitalization Fund Grants:   Fairwinds Landing | $785,000 City of Norfolk The city of Norfolk, in partnership with Fairwinds Landing, will demolish over 71,000 square feet of blighted structures and redevelop the site into a world-class maritime operation and logistics center with the capacity to support the offshore wind, defense and transportation industries.  16 Harper Avenue | $415,000 City of Portsmouth The city of Portsmouth, in partnership with 16 Harper Avenue, will replace the bulkhead at the waterfront industrial property, creating new jobs and preventing further erosion and runoff from further impacting the ecosystem. This project represents phase three of the ongoing site improvement plan, with phase one reaching completion in 2019, and phase two nearing completion this year.   2295 Harbor Road | $300,000 City of Newport News The city of Newport News, in partnership with 2295 Harbor Road, will redevelop the waterfront property into a full-service restaurant and grill. This project is complementary to previous community revitalization efforts that transformed the area, bringing in new businesses throughout the area.

Growth and Opportunity Virginia

03.24.2023
Funding will support the growth of strategic industry sectors, develop talent to meet industry needs and foster entrepreneurial activity Governor Glenn Youngkin announced today more than $8.1 million in Growth and Opportunity for Virginia (GO Virginia) grant awards for 17 projects focused on creating talent pipelines and accelerating economic growth. Projects will support the growth of select industries across the Commonwealth by training and connecting talent to employers, supporting entrepreneurs seeking to start companies and creating supportive economic environments for the targeted industries to grow. "GO Virginia allows us to invest in key projects that address regionally identified opportunities while fostering collaboration for economic growth between the private and public sectors," said Governor Youngkin. "These projects exemplify the innovative partnerships that GO Virginia was designed to promote, and will advance Virginia’s position in critical industries such as life science and energy, as well as leverage emerging opportunities in semiconductor manufacturing." GO Virginia encourages regional economic growth and diversification by supporting collaborative projects that focus on workforce development, cluster scaleup, startup ecosystems and site development. "As we grow Virginia's economy, the workforce must grow with it, and GO Virginia continues to inspire innovative solutions and regional collaboration," said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. "These 17 projects will support and grow industry sectors and talent pipelines that are instrumental growing our economy." In addition to the awarded GO Virginia funding, the 17 awarded projects will leverage an additional $5.6 million in local and non-state funding. "We would like to thank the regional council leadership and project partners for their work in advancing these impactful projects,” said Nancy Howell Agee, chair of the GO Virginia State Board. “GO Virginia continues to recognize and facilitate strong regional economic development efforts that create the right environment for private-sector job growth and puts the Commonwealth in a position to compete to win." Since the program’s inception in 2017, GO Virginia has funded 258 projects and awarded approximately $107 million to support regional economic development efforts. As of 2022, Go Virginia has created over 26,000 new jobs, trained 13,000 students in high-demand fields, created 2,700 work-based learning opportunities, including internships and apprenticeships, and awarded 3,600 workforce credentials. To learn more about the GO Virginia program, visit dhcd.virginia.gov/gova. A FULL LIST OF THE AWARDED PROJECTS CAN BE FOUND HERE.  

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