‘I look forward to seeing these projects come to life’: Gov. Spanberger awards $1.5 million in grants to eight Virginia localities

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced Monday that over $1 million dollars in site remediation grants have been given to eight Virginia localities.

The announcement came Monday, Feb. 16, in which eight Virginia localities received $1.59 million in site remediation grants from the Virginia Brownfields Restoration and Economic Redevelopment Assistance Fund (VBAF).

According to a press release, the VBAF award allows local government to restore and develop brownfield sites, which are abandoned or underused properties, and that could potentially have hazardous substances, pollutants or contamination.

The areas awarded the grant money include the following:

• Clark County: Awarded $317, 289 for redeeming lead-based paint in a former Department of Corrections building to develop the site into a industrial park.
• Town of Floyd: Awarded $262,5000 for remediation of asbestos-containing material in a former apparel manufacturing building into mixed-use projects with commercial and residential development.
• Town of Waynesboro: Awarded $250,000 for the redemption of asbestos-containing material at the former General Wayne Hotel to support redevelopment into 38 workforce housing units.
• Mecklenburg County: Awarded $ 240,450 to turn the former Park View High School and turning it into a 90-unit residential complex to support local workforce housing needs.
• City of Hampton: Awarded $207,000 towards taking Asbestos-containing material abatement at the former Pembroke High School and allowing for the expansion of the YMCA, including classrooms for teen and adult learning 
• Henrico County: Awarded $120,000 towards Asbestos-containing material abatement at the former Best Products Headquarters building as a pert of the larger Green City mixed-use and entertainment development.
• Town of New Market: $99,000 Remediation of asbestos-containing material in the town community center, allowing the center to be redeveloped into a mixed-use project featuring apartments developed to address workforce housing 
• Town of Buchanan: Awarded $94,500 Remediation of contaminated soil at the former Buchanan Schoolhouse property to enable redevelopment into a mixed-use development featuring 12 to 14 apartments and several commercial spaces. 

"When the state assists Virginia’s localities in restoring existing properties, we can help attract new business, create more housing, and power regional economic development," Spanberger said. "Investing in the redevelopment of Virginia’s brownfield sites is paramount to building stronger communities that can attract top talent and significant economic investment. I look forward to seeing these projects come to life."

Carrie Chenery, secretary of commerce and trade, said VBAF is vital for both community and economic development.

"I am thrilled that these strategic, locally driven investments will help fuel economic growth while improving our environment by reducing hazards and taking advantage of existing infrastructure," Chenery said.

The VBAF was established in 2011, and according to the release, since its inception, the VBAF has awarded over 300 grants, which total to $23 million, to localities throughout Virginia. The VBAF is also in partnership with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

VEDP CEO, Jason EL Koubi said that they are proud to have programs like VBAF.

"These efforts position the Commonwealth as a leader in competitive, environmentally responsible sites," Koubi said.