Richmond - The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development announced recently the Virginia Main Street Merit Award winners at the 2019 Downtown Intersections in Lynchburg, Virginia. The awards were given in eight merit areas celebrating excellence in downtown revitalization efforts and a $5,000 prize was offered for the winner of the second annual Main Street Idea Pitch Competition.

Funding to support regional economic development initiatives

RICHMOND--Governor Ralph Northam today announced more than $800,000 in GO Virginia (Growth and Opportunity for Virginia) funding for three regional projects. Key members of the Governor's Cabinet, the General Assembly, and the business community approved the GO Virginia regional per capita grants for projects across the Commonwealth.

Additional funding for projects provided through doubling of Virginia Housing Trust Fund

RICHMOND--Governor Ralph Northam today announced more than $11 million in Affordable and Special Needs Housing loans for 17 projects throughout the Commonwealth, creating or preserving 1,283 affordable housing units that will target low-income and very low-income Virginians. The Governor made this announcement during an event at American Legion Post 139 in Arlington, the future site of the American Legion Uniting to Serve affordable housing project.

Virginia ranked number two by Insurance Institute of Business and Home Safety for effectiveness of states' residential building code

RICHMOND--Governor Ralph Northam has issued a proclamation declaring May as Building Safety Month in Virginia.

RICHMOND--Governor Ralph Northam today issued a proclamation designating May as Business Appreciation Month in Virginia. Throughout the month, the Governor and members of his administration will visit companies and attend events in each region of the Commonwealth to highlight the diversity and importance of Virginia's robust business community.

Six entrepreneurs will receive funding for innovative resilience-building solutions

RICHMOND--Governor Ralph Northam today announced $1.5 million in funding for six business winners of the first-ever RISE Coastal Community Resilience Challenge. The winners will each receive between $160,000 and $310,000 to develop innovative products, services, and workforce development programs to help coastal communities adapt to climate change.

Funding to assist 30 permanent supportive housing and rapid re-housing projects across the Commonwealth

RICHMOND--Governor Ralph Northam today announced $2.2 million in Homeless Reduction Grants through the Virginia Housing Trust Fund (VHTF) for 30 projects in Virginia. The selected projects will result in targeted efforts to reduce homelessness around the Commonwealth. The grants will support 16 rapid re-housing projects, 12 existing permanent supportive housing projects, and the pre-development of two permanent supportive housing projects.