Gov. Ralph Northam presents $45,000 check to Buchanan

Money aims to revitalize downtown, reward entrepreneurs

BUCHANAN, Va. – Gov. Ralph Northam dropped by Buchanan on Wednesday afternoon, and he did not come empty-handed.

The governor presented Buchanan Mayor Craig Bryant with a $45,000 check for a Community Business Launch grant.

“By aligning regional and local economic strategies with a community’s unique vision for its future, we can build support for the new and expanding businesses that fill storefronts and create new job opportunities,” Northam said.

The CBL grant, which came from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, will help fund entrepreneurs who have suitable business plans that can improve the town. Buchanan town officials hope to use the grant to revitalize the downtown district.

Northam says he sees a lot of potential in what Buchanan can be.

"People love to come to beautiful areas like Buchanan," Northam said. "People...may look at kayaking, hiking, canoeing, those kinds of things. We want to do everything we can to promote those businesses."

Buchanan received one of four $45,000 CBL grants given out Wednesday. The others went to Giles County, Culpeper and Norton.