Youngkin announces more than $6 million in grants to expand Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Gov. Glenn Youngkin has announced more than $6 million in Growth and Opportunity for Virginia (GO Virginia) grants, with expansion in the Greater Richmond Region.

According to a release shared by the governor's office on Friday, June 27, more than $6.8 million will go toward Growth and Opportunity for Virginia (GO Virginia) grant awards for eight projects, hitting the Richmond area, including the City of Richmond and Prince George County.

“GO Virginia continues to be a catalyst for innovation and collaboration, enabling regions to pursue economic opportunities aligned with state priorities. These projects reflect a collective commitment to building robust talent pipelines, supporting industry growth, and strengthening the economic competitiveness of every region in Virginia.”  Gov. Glenn Youngkin

GO Virginia is an economic initiative that aims to foster regional collaboration, which supports traded sector industries. This would create high-end jobs, according to the governor's office.

A nearly $1 million expansion going toward the GO TEC program, establishing new Career Connections Labs in middle schools in Charles City County, Prince George County and the City of Richmond. They aim to strengthen early career exposure in various areas, including manufacturing, information technology, bioscience and logistics

The governor's office says there will be $520,000 million going toward Rowanty Center High School Certifications, which will establish an Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics Program to expand credential-based training. This would help serve high school students and they hope to eventually include adult learners and work-based learning opportunities like internships.

“The Youngkin Administration remains unwaveringly committed to strengthening Virginia’s economy at the local, regional, and statewide levels, and GO Virginia offers us a targeted way to do just that,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Juan Pablo Segura. “By investing in talent and removing barriers to success, we are paving the way for innovation and growth across all of Virginia’s diverse regions.” 

The following is a full list areas affected across Virginia:

Per Capita Applications

• Innovation District Implementation | $2,604,410 
  • Region 7: Prince William County and the City of Manassas
• GO TEC Launch in the New River Valley and Roanoke County | $994,212 
  • Region 2: Counties of Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski, Roanoke and the City of Radford 
• GOTEC Expansion City of Richmond, Prince George | $970,835 
  • Regions 4: Counties of Charles City and Prince George; City of Richmond 
• Powerline and Truck Driver Training Programs | $570,000 
  • Region 3: Counties of Amelia, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Nottoway and Prince Edward; Town of Blackstone 
• Rowanty Center High School Certifications | $520,000 
  • Region 4: Dinwiddie County Public Schools, Prince George County Public Schools, Sussex County Public Schools 
• SOVA Innovation Labs - Digital Fabrication Lab | $510,000 
  • Region 3: Counties of Charlotte, Halifax, Mecklenburg, Pittsylvania; Towns of Halifax and South Boston 
• Expressways to Power | $401,374 
  • Region 8: Counties of Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah and Warren; Cities of Front Royal and Winchester  

Administrative Approvals: Planning Grants

• Innovation Corridor Roadmap | $100,000 
  • Region 9: Counties of Albemarle, Fauquier, Greene and Orange; City of Charlottesville 
• Nuclear Microreactor Feasibility Study | $97,500 
  • Region 1: Counties of Dickenson, Lee, Scott and Wise; City of Norton
• ShenValley Meat Processing Cooperative Business Plan | $87,450 
  • Region 8: Counties of Augusta, Page, Rockingham and Shenandoah 

For more information on GO Virginia, click here.