WHEREAS, agriculture and forestry are Virginia’s first and third largest private industries, and the creation of a special economic development fund to support these industries demonstrates their importance and contributes to their continued vibrancy; and,

WHEREAS, the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund consists of Facility, Planning, and Infrastructure grants to incentivize and enhance the viability of agriculture and forestry related businesses and localities to grow markets and ensure the stability of these industries; and,

WHEREAS, the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund Facility Grant, established in 2012, has incentivized 125 projects, awarded over $12 million to assist new and expanding Virginia companies that have committed to creating more than 4,000 jobs, generated nearly $1.5 billion in capital investments, and facilitated the purchase of over $1.4 billion of Virginia grown products; and,

WHEREAS, the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund Planning Grant, established in 2013, has made 52 awards for a total of over $1 million to support 63 unique localities with innovative local efforts to assist agriculture and forestry-based businesses; and,

WHEREAS, the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund Infrastructure Grant Program, established in 2021, has funded 20 grants to 18 unique localities for capital projects totaling nearly $374,000; and,

WHEREAS, the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund has supported agriculture and forestry-based economic development in 101 cities, towns, and counties across the Commonwealth and demonstrates a shared commitment to the success of Virginia’s farms and forestlands; and,

WHEREAS, in December 2022, the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund celebrates its ten-year anniversary since its first award to Franklin County and Homestead Creamery on December 17, 2012;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize the 10^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GOVERNOR’S AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY INDUSTRIES DEVELOPMENT FUND and its support to Virginia’s agriculture and forestry industries, and I extend best wishes for continued success to all associated with the program.