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GO Virginia funds $9M in workforce development, economic recovery grants
The Growth and Opportunity for Virginia (GO Virginia) state economic development initiative has allocated grants totaling more than $9 million for workforce development and assisting communities with economic recovery, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday. A $7.8 million allocation will support 11 regional projects and two statewide projects aimed at workforce development initiatives. Another allocation […][...]
Six SWVA projects receive ARC funding
More than $3.9 million in funding will go toward recovery health programs, broadband infrastructure expansion, workforce development, natural gas line improvements and rural tourism and job growth efforts in Southwest Virginia, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Monday. The funding will be disbursed through six Appalachian Regional Commission’s (ARC) Partnership for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization […][...]
$1.2M grant approved for Dickenson County industrial site
A grant for up to $1.2 million in infrastructure improvements to the Red Onion Industrial Site in Dickenson County was recently approved by Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority board. The funds, which will be given to the Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority, will be used to help finance site grading, site development, access road construction […]
SW Va. sees COVID increase; governor urges caution
Although Virginia’s overall COVID-19 infection rate is much lower than other states that are currently experiencing spikes, the number of new cases in Southwest Virginia has been steadily increasing over the past two weeks, Gov. Ralph Northam said Wednesday in a COVID-19 update. According to health directors in the region,[...]
Downtown Norton gets a glow-up
Like other coalfield communities coping with the downturn of its signature industry, Norton is working to reinvent itself, says City Manager Fred Ramey. This fall, the city’s three-year, $2.3 million downtown revitalization reached a “technical end, but our project is not over and we’ll keep going,” says Ramey, who spear[...]
Va. COVID-19 rate creeps up to 5%
The state’s COVID-19 positivity rate increased last week to 5%, up from 4.5% on Oct. 12. According to the Virginia Department of Health, the state recorded 7,258 new cases and 96 more coronavirus-related deaths over the past week. Virginia has 166,828 total COVID cases since the pandemic started, as well as 3,457 deaths, as of […]
Dominion, Appalachian Power team up to expand energy storage
Virginia electric utility giants Appalachian Power and Dominion Energy Inc. announced Tuesday a public-private partnership with InvestSWVA that aims to expand renewable energy storage technology and attract industry prospects in Southwest Virginia. “With the greater proliferation of renewables, energy storage expansion will be a vital component in providing stability to our grid and support our […][...]
A large data center could have $50M annual impact on SWVA, study finds
Southwest Virginia is well-positioned for data centers and a large data center could result in more than 2,000 jobs and $50 million in annual economic activity, according to the Project Oasis study conducted by OnPoint Development Strategies and released Monday by InvestSWVA. Due to its land availability, geothermal cooling opportunities and workforce readiness and development, […]
Coal country sets its focus on absentee landowners
When farmers notice one of their cows has made a run for it, their first step will often be to alert the neighbors. That can be hard to do with an out-of-town owner, though. “If the farmer can knock on a door, that’s one thing,” explains Phil Meeks, Wise County’s agriculture and natural resources extension […]
Hitachi AAB Power Grids expanding in Bland County
Hitachi ABB Power Grids will invest $6.2 million to upgrade equipment and increase manufacturing capacity at its operations in Bland County, where it is the county’s largest private-sector employer. The expansion will add 40 jobs, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Monday. “Hitachi ABB Power Grids has made tremendous contributions to Southwest Virginia and the commonwealth for […]
Four Va. localities earn Main Street designation
Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday that the towns of Cape Charles, Onancock, Tappahannock and Tazewell have joined the Virginia Main Street Program, which, through the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), provides services to strengthen downtown communities. Designated towns must participate in an application process to receive services including market analysis, marketplace development, capacity […][...]
Emory & Henry names dean for upcoming business school
Emory & Henry College announced Monday that Emmett Tracy has been appointed as dean of its new School of Business, which will be built on the former site of Carriger Hall at the college in Washington County. Until the business school opens at an unannounced date, McGlothlin Street Hall will be home for the business […[...]
