Governor Kaine Recommends $2.2 Million in Appalachian Regional Commission Funding For Southwest Virginia Projects
– Funds promote economic development, healthcare, workforce programs –
RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced today that he has recommended nearly $2.2 million in Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) funding for 17 projects in Southwest Virginia. The funds will help support cultural programs and tourism, build community infrastructure, and promote entrepreneurship and workforce development.
“I am pleased to recommend these important grants to the ARC for funding,” said Governor Kaine. “These federal dollars have been an important resource for expanding educational and economic opportunities in Southwest Virginia. These ARC grants are targeted to programs that help create new and better jobs, along with a trained and ready workforce.”
“These grants focus on many areas key to the development of a healthy and thriving community,” said Bill Shelton, Director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), which implements the ARC program for the state. “Workforce development, health care improvements and water and infrastructure improvements, as well as cultural and tourism attractions, are all part of a comprehensive mix designed to strengthen the Appalachian Community. We are dedicated to working with our local partners to start working on these projects and realize the mission of the ARC.”
ARC Area Development Grants are dedicated to support infrastructure improvements, entrepreneurship support and workforce development, and Asset-Based Development Initiative (ABD) funds are designed to address the leveraging of cultural, natural, community, structural, and economic assets.
2007 ARC Area Development Grant Funding
|
Applicant and Project |
Award |
|
Mountain Empire Community College
Building Economic Development Competitiveness Through Workforce Development in Electromechanical Technology |
$99,969 |
|
Scott County Economic Development Authority
Daniel Boone Interpretive Center |
$400,000 |
|
Southwest Virginia Community College
Medical Laboratory Technology Training Program |
$100,000 |
|
Town of Clintwood
Longs Fork Sewer Project |
$500,000 |
|
Smyth-Washington Industrial Facility Authority
Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing |
$25,000 |
|
Virginia's First Regional Industrial Facility Authority
New River Valley Community Broadband Network |
$100,000 |
|
Alleghany County
East-Alleghany County Wastewater System Improvement Project and Route 727 Bridge Replacement Project |
$500,000 |
|
Blue Ridge Music Center
Blue Ridge Music Center Program Development |
$ 60,000 |
|
‘Round The Mountain
Southwest Virginia Virtual Artisan Project |
$ 45,000 |
|
Tazewell County Board of Supervisors
Pocahontas - Northern Tazewell County |
$175,479 |
|
University of Virginia's College at Wise
Healthy Appalachia |
$ 21,950 |
|
TOTAL |
$2,027,398 |
2007 ARC Asset-Based Development Initiative Funding
|
Applicant - Project |
Award |
|
Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association
Wilderness Road Blockhouse Interpretive Center |
$30,000 |
|
Carter Family Memorial Music Center
Museum Director for the Carter Family Memorial Music Center |
$30,000 |
|
Youth Outreach of Buchanan County
PICK – Playing Instruments Changes Kids |
$20,000 |
|
Birthplace of Country Music Alliance
Birthplace of Country Music E-Commerce |
$ 5,000 |
|
Roanoke Valley/Alleghany Regional Commission
Greater Alleghany Highlands Region Tourism Trail Concept Development |
$25,000 |
|
Town of Pulaski
Virginia's Nanotechnology Park – Planning |
$40,000 |
|
TOTAL |
$150,000 |
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. 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 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.
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