|
GOVERNOR KAINE RECOMMENDS MORE THAN
$3.5 MILLION THROUGH THE APPALACHIAN REGIONAL
COMMISSION
~ Funds will target economic
development, health care, tourism, and education opportunities
~
RICHMOND
– Governor Timothy M. Kaine today recommended more than $3.5 million in
Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) funding for 13 projects in Southwest Virginia. The
funds will be used to create workforce development opportunities, provide
infrastructure and water improvements, revitalize the local economy, and utilize
the region’s history and culture to enhance the growing Southwest Virginia
tourism industry.
“Funds awarded through the Appalachian
Regional Commission allow communities to address economic development challenges
in a multitude of ways,” said Governor Kaine. “I am pleased to recommend these
diverse projects for funding, which will improve the quality of life for
citizens in Southwest
Virginia.”
ARC consists of 13 states, including
Virginia, and provides
federal funding and support to foster economic development and improve the
quality of life for the country’s Appalachian
citizens.
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 23 counties and seven independent cities in Southwest Virginia. DHCD
works with ARC and grantees to finalize the grant process and initiate the
projects proposed.
“The projects funded through ARC grants
represent a comprehensive mix of strategies and programs that together will work
to strengthen the economy, and better the standard of living for Virginians in
the Appalachian region,” said DHCD Director Bill
Shelton.
Awards are being made through ARC’s Area
Development (ADI), Asset-Based Development (ABDI), and Telecommunications
Initiatives (TI). ADI Grants are dedicated to support infrastructure
improvements, entrepreneurship support and workforce development, and ABDI funds
are designed to address the leveraging of cultural, natural, community,
structural, and economic assets. TI funds seek to stimulate economic growth and
improve the standard of living through technology-related projects.
2008 ARC Area Development Grant
Awards
|
Applicant -
Project
|
Award
|
|
Scott County
Economic Development Authority, Duffield
Regional Technology
Center
|
$450,000
|
|
Mountain
Empire Community
College,
Meeting Critical Workforce Needs in
Welding and Pipefitting
|
$100,000
|
|
Town of Pennington
Gap, Lee Theater/Learning
Center Renovation
|
$109,851
|
|
Dickenson
County,
Multi-Community Water
Project
|
$500,000
|
|
Dickenson County,
Dickenson
Center for Education and
Research Equipment Project
|
$100,000
|
|
King College,
King
College Buchanan
County Satellite
Project
|
$100,000
|
|
Town of Fries,
Fries Redevelopment
Project
|
$435,840
|
|
Carroll, Grayson, Galax Regional
Industrial Facilities Authority, Carroll, Grayson, Galax Regional
Telecommunications Network
|
$325,272
|
|
Washington County,
Southwest
Virginia Artisan
Center Building Construction
Project
|
$500,000
|
|
Washington County,
Southwest
Virginia Artisan
Center Cultural Display
Project
|
$500,000
|
|
Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center,
Facility Expansion
Project
|
$450,000
|
|
TOTAL
|
$3,570,963
|
2008 ARC Asset-Based Development
Grant Awards
|
Applicant –
Project
|
Award
|
|
The Arts & Cultural
Council of the Twin Counties, From Wood to Singing
Guitar
|
$18,000
|
|
TOTAL
|
$18,000
|
2008 ARC Telecommunications
Initiative
|
Applicant -
Project
|
Award
|
|
Blue Ridge Crossroads
Economic Development Authority (BRCEDA), Carroll County, City of Galax,
Grayson County (CGG) Technology Training and Awareness
Programs
|
$30,000
|
|
TOTAL
|
$30,000
|
|
