RICHMOND, Va. – Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced Monday his recommendation to give more than $2.7 million in Appalachian Regional Commission awards for 10 projects in the Appalachian Region -- including New River Community College, the city of Covington and the United Way of Southwest Virginia.
The commission will finalize the approval of these project awards later in the year. The Appalachian Region encompasses 25 counties and eight cities in Southwest Virginia.
The grants will leverage local assets in the region.
“Supporting Virginia’s Appalachian Region with investments in water, sewer, and critical infrastructure is key to building the new Virginia economy in the region," McAuliffe said in a prepared statement. “Additionally, by improving outcomes in workforce training, early childhood development, and other fundamental areas, we are ensuring federal assistance gives our communities and residents new opportunities. As the Trump administration seeks to cut the funding for this critical support for rural communities, I hope they will evaluate these projects and the many other ways that the ARC creates opportunity in states like Virginia.”
The following projects were recommended:
Applicant: LENOWISCO PDC
Project name: Western Lee County Economic Assessment Study
Award: $60,000
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Applicant: New River CC
Project name: Radford City Access to Community College Education
Award: $76,938
Applicant: Tazewell County
Project name: Falls Mills Adult Day Care
Award: $500,000
Applicant: William King Museum
Project name: Cultural Campus Development at William King Museum of Art
Award: $500,000
Applicant: Town of Saint Paul
Project name: The Lyric Project
Award: $300,000
Applicant: Wise County PSA
Project name: Tacoma Sewer Project
Award: $500,000
Applicant: City of Covington
Project name: Alleghany Highlands Drone Zone
Award: $100,000
Applicant: Lee County
Project name: Frog Level Phase II Water Project
Award: $500,000
Applicant: People Inc. of Virginia
Project name: People Incorporated Project Discovery
Award: $75,844
Applicant: United Way of SWVA
Project name: Early Childhood Workforce Development
Award: $99,933
This came to a total of $2,712,715 in recommended funding.
The general goal of the Appalachian Regional Commision, or ARC, program, is to assist the region in achieving economic prosperity that more completely reflects the nation’s overall prosperity.
Established in 1965, the ARC wants its funds to go toward projects that support the goal of building a strong and sustainable asset-based economy by bringing jobs and prosperity to Appalachian communities, while preserving their character, according to a news release.