Trump’s pause on $3T in federal funding could impact Va.
Update, 7:30 p.m. A federal judge temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s freeze on federal spending until at least Feb. 3, but the White House did not immediately respond to the judicial order. On Monday, Trump ordered a freeze on more than $3 trillion in federal financial assistance, including grants and loans backing economic development and […]
County grants boost early-stage entrepreneurs
As an early-stage startup founder, Ray Magee grew accustomed to hearing ‘no.’ In the eight years since he founded Centreville-based BloomCatch, a plant recognition app, Magee reckons he’s applied for seven or eight grants. So, when BloomCatch landed a $50,000 grant from Fairfax County in November 2023, he admits to some initial disbelief. “I thought, […]
Broadband aid
A couple of Holstein cows poke their heads through the metal gates of the barn as Mark Sowers fiddles with one of his most important pieces of farm equipment — a smartphone. Sowers opens an app on his phone that gives him real-time information from the nearly 300 milking cows that roam Huckleberry Dairy, the […]
Truist grants $500k to aid Richmond Community Wealth Building office
Truist Foundation announced it has made a $500,000 grant that will ultimately help Richmond‘s Office of Community Wealth Building provide further financial, education and employment coaching to city families, the philanthropic arm of Truist Financial Corp. announced in a press conference Friday. “At Truist, our purpose is to inspire and build better lives and communities, and […]
Youngkin announces $8.1M in GO Virginia grants
A variety of projects around the state intended to spur economic and workforce development will get a boost from $8.1 million in state GO Virginia grants, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Friday. The 17 projects are expected to add hundreds of jobs. Nearly $4.8 million will fund two Virginia Tech projects, including one expected to build […]
Farmer Focus to create 300 jobs with $17.8M expansion
Harrisonburg-based Farmer Focus is planning a $17.8 million expansion that will create 300 jobs and double its processing capacity, the organic poultry producer announced this week. Part of that expansion will be paid for with a $3.6 million grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP). U.S. Secretary […]
SWVA child care initiative receives $1.24M grant
The New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Board will receive $1.24 million in grant funding for Ready SWVA, a child care initiative launched by United Way of Southwest Virginia, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Monday. The United Way chapter launched Ready SWVA in December 2021 to expand access to affordable child care, strengthen the provider network and […]
Richmond’s Maymont wins $8M tourism grant
Updated July 20, 2022 Maymont Foundation, which maintains and runs Richmond‘s Maymont park, was awarded an $8 million federal grant Tuesday to promote regional tourism, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration announced. With an additional $2 million in matching funds from the foundation, the EDA grant will be used for infrastructure improvements to [&helli[...]
VCU, VCCS to receive $3.5M for transfer student program
The Mellon Foundation will award a combined $3.5 million to Virginia Commonwealth University and the Virginia Community College System, VCU announced Tuesday. “We are excited to continue our partnership on the Mellon Pathways Program and build upon the strong history of collaboration between VCU and the Virginia Community College System,” Deborah Noble-Triplett, senior vice provost […]
South Hill grant aims to boost business district
South Hill merchants figured out ways to keep business going during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, introducing Facebook Live videos from downtown stores that helped people shop from home, then pick up their treasures curbside. Sometimes featuring a rescue dog named Duncan, the videos have continued even as restrictions are rolled back. Now, the […]
Norfolk Southern donates archives to museum
Atlanta-based Norfolk Southern Corp. donated its complete collection of historical documents and archives from Norfolk and Western Railway, its predecessor, to the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, the company announced last week. Norfolk Southern, formerly headquartered in Norfolk, also provided a $750,000 grant to help the museum digitize, catalog and preserve the collection, and [&helli[...]
Bank of America grants VUU $1M
Bank of America granted Virginia Union University $1 million for its new banking and financial services workforce development program, the university announced Monday. VUU’s Sydney Lewis School of Business will lead the program, called MORE for My Opportunity is Real Essential, in partnership with the university’s workforce development division and its Evelyn Reid Syphax School [&helli[...]