March 26, 2009
Contact: Gordon Hickey Hollie S. Cammarasana, DHCD
Phone: (804) 225-4260 (804) 371-7006
Cell: (804) 291-8977 (804) 382-2075
Internet: www.governor.virginia.gov www.dhcd.virginia.gov
GOVERNOR KAINE RECOMMENDS MORE THAN $2.7 MILLION TO FUND PROJECTS IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
~ Appalachian Regional Commission funding will address economic development, education, health, and water quality issues ~
Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced today that he has recommended more than $2.7 million in Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) funding for 17 projects in Southwest Virginia. The projects, which address issues including economic development, early childhood education, health programs, job training and water quality, are being awarded through the ARC’s Area Development and Asset-Based Development Initiative funding streams.
“The programs funded through these grants will address a variety of important community needs in Southwest Virginia,” said Governor Kaine. “The work of the ARC is critical to the quality of life of citizens in Appalachia and I am happy to recommend these projects for funding.”
The ARC consists of 13 states, including Virginia, and provides funding and support to foster economic development and improve the quality of life for the country’s Appalachian citizens. The ARC funding recommended today will come from two sources:
· Area Development Initiative funds are broadly aimed at encouraging economic development by funding projects such as infrastructure, entrepreneurship support, and workforce development.
· Asset-Based Development Initiative (ABD) funds are aimed at building a strong and sustainable asset based economy by bringing jobs and prosperity to Appalachian communities, while preserving their character. ABD projects which address the leveraging of cultural, natural, community, structural, and economic assets are eligible for funding.
The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) implements the ARC program for the Commonwealth. Through a competitive grant process, DHCD recommends eligible grantees to receive ARC funding for projects within Virginia’s Appalachian region, which encompasses 25 counties and eight independent cities in Southwest Virginia.
“These projects address a variety of needs in Southwest Virginia and collaboratively work together to strengthen the economy and quality of life for those in the Appalachian region,” said DHCD Director Bill Shelton.
DHCD works with the ARC and grantees to finalize the grant process and initiate the projects proposed. For more information about the ARC program or the grant recommendations listed below, contact DHCD at (804) 371-7000 or visit: www.dhcd.virginia.gov.
2009 ARC Area Development grant awards are listed below:
Applicant - Project
Award
Dickenson County, Haysi to Big A Mountain Water Project, Phase III
$500,000
Galax, City of, Felts Park Performance Center
$99,994
Lonesome Pine Office on Youth, Straight Songs from the Crooked Road
$65,368
Norton, City of, City of Norton Sewer Rehabilitation and Extension Project
$500,000
Pennington Gap, Town of, Lee Theater/Learning Center Renovation
$431,789
Saltville, Town of, Saltville Regional Dental Clinic
$200,000
Southwest Virginia Community College, Meeting the Demand for Skilled Trades Workers in SWVA
$100,000
UVA Wise, Healthy Appalachia Institute Startup
$90,000
Virginia Early Childhood Education Foundation, Southwest Virginia School Readiness Initiative
$100,000
Wise County IDA, Wise Inn Restoration and Redevelopment
$277,574
TOTAL
$2,364,725
2009 ARC Regional Initiative grant awards are listed below:
Applicant – Project
Award
Blue Ridge PBS, Traveling From the Crooked Road
$34,400
Virginia Economic Bridge, SWVA Shared Heritage with the European Union
$25,000
Round’ the Mountain, Heartwood: Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Gateway Web site and Database
$200,000
Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, Virginia Folklife Workshop Stages
$30,000
Scott County EDA, Duffield Regional Technology Center Geothermal Energy Project
$50,000
Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Illicit Use of Prescription Drugs in Appalachia: A Regional Model of Intervention
Virginia Western Community College, Craig County Viticulture Initiative
$50,000
$30,000
TOTAL
$419,400
