New funding supports workforce training, industry readiness, and innovation across the Commonwealth Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced $2.8 million in Growth and Opportunity for Virginia (GO Virginia) grants to advance 10 projects that strengthen regional economies, expand talent pipelines, and prepare sites for future business investment. The awarded projects leverage an additional $1.2 million in local and non-state funding. Awards will focus resources and advance regional competitiveness in sectors including advanced manufacturing, logistics, information and emerging technologies, and aquaculture.   “GO Virginia continues to serve as a powerful catalyst for regional innovation and collaboration,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “These projects reflect our shared commitment to building a highly skilled workforce, fostering entrepreneurship, and strengthening communities across the Commonwealth through strategic, forward-looking investments.”  The latest round of GO Virginia awards underscores a strong commitment to workforce development. New initiatives will expand training in high-demand fields such as cybersecurity, robotics, and welding—ensuring Virginians gain certifications and skills needed to fill critical jobs and meet employer needs.  Additionally, the awards support entrepreneurship and innovation by expanding incubator resources and creating new pathways for founders to access capital and grow their businesses to help fuel the growth of Virginia’s innovation economy.  The GO Virginia State Board also endorsed investments to support the Commonwealth’s long-term regional competitiveness, including identifying Virginia’s next generation of business-ready sites to support future transformative investments and exploring innovative ways to expand Virginia’s aquaculture industry. Together, these initiatives position Virginia for sustained economic growth and prosperity.  “These investments are a testament to the power of regional collaboration to create meaningful opportunity,” said Emily O’Quinn, chair of the GO Virginia State Board. “By advancing innovation, aligning workforce training with industry needs, and identifying sites for future investment, we are strengthening regional economies and building resilience across Virginia.”  At the September 9th board meeting, O’Quinn, Senior Vice President of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications for Alpha Metallurgical Resource, was elected to serve as the chair. Jim Cheng, Chief Strategy Officer of PIE-PS, and John King, President, Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative, were elected to serve as vice chairs with committee responsibilities for program evaluation and to ensure program alignment with regional priorities and needs.  Since its inception in 2017, GO Virginia has been a driving force in strengthening regional economies through strategic collaboration across 131 localities. The program has played a pivotal role in creating more than 1,300 new businesses and 24,000 jobs by fostering innovation, workforce development, and industry growth. To learn more about how GO Virginia fuels economic progress across the Commonwealth, visit dhcd.virginia.gov/gova. Gain insights into completed projects with the interactive GO Virginia Program Performance Dashboard.  A full list of the GO Virginia awarded projects can be found here.     Implementation Grant Applications   Hampton Roads Advanced Manufacturing Modernization with Emerging Robotics (HAMMER) Program | $ 669,783  Region 5: Cities of Norfolk and Newport News  This project will expand access to collaborative robotic (COBOTIC) welding technology integration and training in Region 5, broadening services beyond large shipyards to include small- and medium-sized manufacturers. The initiative will provide integration assistance, develop weld-quality procedures, and support firms in accessing capital equipment funding—helping manufacturers overcome barriers to adoption and improve competitiveness.  Empowering Founders Through Every Stage | $ 1,473,710  Region 4: Henrico County and City of Richmond  This project expands support for entrepreneurs in Region 4 through three new stage-specific incubator programs—Ideate, Launch, and Grow—designed to help founders advance from concept to scale. Programming will also extend to a new facility in Henrico County to improve access for suburban and rural entrepreneurs. In addition, new capital access resources will connect founders with private and public funding opportunities to address one of the region’s most persistent challenges.  Say Yes to LYH Region | $ 99,999  Region 2: Campbell County and the City of Lynchburg  This project will expand the Lynchburg region’s workforce by developing a web-based talent attraction and retention portal, with a focus on the manufacturing sector. Building on the recommendations of the Region 2 Talent Pathways Initiative and modeled after the successful get2knownoke.com platform, the portal will help the region attract and retain talent while strengthening long-term workforce pipelines.  Cybersecurity Dual Enrollment Program | $ 38,227  Region 8: Rockbridge County and City of Lexington   Rockbridge County Public Schools, in partnership with Mountain Gateway Community College, will launch a Cybersecurity Dual Enrollment Program to prepare students for high-demand careers in information technology and cybersecurity. The program will provide classroom instruction, hands-on training, and opportunities to earn industry-recognized certifications such as CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+. By equipping students with skills valued by employers, the initiative will strengthen Region 8’s talent pipeline and support growth in emerging technology fields.   Rockbridge Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Development | $ 131,128  Region 8: Rockbridge County and City of Lexington   Rockbridge County Public Schools, in partnership with Mountain Gateway Community College, will expand advanced manufacturing and welding training to better prepare students for immediate employment and further education. The initiative will broaden certification offerings in both manufacturing and welding, including nationally recognized credentials, to meet the talent needs of local employers.    Planning, Feasibility, and Small-Scale Pilot Grant Applications   NVR Site Advancement Strategy | $ 94,400  Region 1: Counties of Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, and Pulaski and the City of Radford  The New River Valley Regional Commission will work with participating localities to evaluate five local sites and one regional commerce park for industrial development. Assessments will review infrastructure, energy capacity, environmental considerations, and alignment with advanced manufacturing and automation, helping prepare the region for future business growth.  VGR: Preparing the Region for Energy-Intensive Industry | $ 100,000  Region 4: Cities of Petersburg, Colonial Heights, Hopewell, and Emporia; Counties of Brunswick, Dinwiddie, Greensville, Prince George, and Sussex   Virginia’s Gateway Region will identify and prioritize industrial sites to support the attraction of energy-intensive industries. The project will evaluate 10 to 20 sites across the sub-region and advance the top 5 to 10 along the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program scale. Building on a prior GO Virginia grant that successfully prepared several sites now sold to end users, this effort will replenish the inventory of business-ready sites and position the region for future growth.  Hampton Roads Investment Playbook | $ 100,000   Region 5: Cities of Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg; Counties of Isle of Wight, James City, Southampton, York, and Gloucester  The Hampton Roads Alliance, in partnership with the Hampton Roads Workforce Council, will develop an Investment Playbook to identify growth opportunities across the region’s targeted industries. Building on an earlier phase that determined priority sectors, this effort will deliver seven to ten initiatives to strengthen those industries and identify funding structures to support implementation.  River to Table – Blue Catfish Processing and Marketing Study for the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula | $ 99,840  Region 6: Counties of Essex, Gloucester, King George, Lancaster, Mathews, and Middlesex  This study will evaluate the Blue Catfish industry in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula, mapping existing infrastructure and identifying opportunities to expand harvesting, processing, and sales. By increasing the harvest of this invasive species, the project aims to protect native fisheries while creating new economic opportunities for aquaculture and seafood businesses in the region.  Practice Management Certification Program | $78,014  Region 6 – King George County, Stafford County, and the City of Fredericksburg  The University of Mary Washington will address healthcare workforce gaps by piloting a Practice Management Certification Program and conducting a regional study on workforce shortages. The program will train 20 participants for industry-recognized certification in medical and health services management, helping meet rising demand in primary care and rural health practices.    

Funding supports new housing and infrastructure in western Lee County Governor Glenn Youngkin announced $2.5 million in state funds to support infrastructure development for 115 housing units that will serve both Lincoln Memorial University and the western Lee County community. The Governor also announced $3.2 million in funding for a wastewater project that will serve the community and economic development.  “The development in western Lee County shows the true power of people working together,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “With the commitment of this community, the leadership of Lincoln Memorial University, and the support of partners at every level, vision is becoming reality. We bring new homes, modern infrastructure, and a stronger economy. Most of all, the projects reflect Virginia’s commitment to helping rural communities grow and prosper to bring opportunity for residents, businesses, students, and families for generations to come.”  The housing project in Ewing will build 55 townhomes, 38 duplexes, 9 triplexes and 13 cottages; construct 37,584 yards of roadway; install 6,610 linear feet of new water lines; and serve a projected 118 new utility connections. The housing development will serve students, faculty and staff of Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) and increase access to workforce housing for residents of Lee County.  State-administered funding of $2.5 million for the housing project—$1 million from the Appalachian Regional Commission for infrastructure and $1.5 million from the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) program—unlocked $49 million in private investment from LMU to help sustain and grow the DeBusk Veterinary Teaching Center in western Lee County.   Also announced at the September 19 event was additional funding for the first phase of the Western Lee Wastewater Project that will construct a new wastewater treatment plant capable of processing 300,000 gallons per day and install approximately 32.4 miles of new sewer lines in the previously unserved area of western Lee County.   “New investments for infrastructure and housing along with the ongoing development of the Lincoln Memorial University’s DeBusk Veterinary Teaching Center gives Lee County the foundation for future economic growth. This funding means new opportunities for business, stronger infrastructure, and better quality of life for the residents of western Lee County and the surrounding region,” said Senator Todd E. Pillion.   The wastewater project will serve up to 735 residents, businesses, and institutions, including the University. The project will improve quality of life, create economic development possibilities, and enhance the environment of the region by transitioning residents from septic to public sewer systems.  “This funding is more than just an investment in infrastructure in our state; it’s an investment in people. By expanding essential services and creating new, workforce housing, these resources strengthen our communities, protect public health and open the door for new opportunities and economic growth across Lee County and the state,” said Delegate Terry Kilgore.  The $29.5 million wastewater project combines funding from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ($26.25 million) and the Appalachian Regional Commission via the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development ($3.2 million) with other state and local sources.  “These two transformational projects in western Lee County show what can be achieved when local leaders, community partners, regional organizations, and state and federal governments work side by side to create opportunities for people and places to thrive,” said Maggie Beal, Director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.  Virginia is one of nine states and tribal governments chosen by the U.S. Congress to receive funding in fiscal year 2025 to develop and repurpose abandoned mine land with economic and community development end uses.   “The AMLER program is a critical driver of opportunity in our coalfields region, transforming former mining lands into foundations for community growth,” said Glenn Davis, Director of the Virginia Department of Energy. “Through strategic investments in housing, infrastructure and economic development, Virginia is committed to building on Southwest’s legacy by creating opportunities that will strengthen economic outcomes for generations to come.”