(The Center Square) — Over 30 projects in various low- and moderate-income communities across Virginia will receive a combined $23.6 million in federal funding for revitalization and development, according to an announcement Thursday.
“The funding will support projects that rehabilitate housing, revitalize downtown districts, and improve water and sewer infrastructure benefiting more than 10,000 low- and moderate-income Virginians,” according to a press release from Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s office.
The funding comes from the decades-old federal Community Development Block Grant program, which awards about $19 million in grants yearly to “underserved” localities across the commonwealth with critical infrastructure, economic development or housing needs.
“The foundation of every thriving community includes affordable homes, robust infrastructure, and an economy that works for everyone,” said Youngkin. “CDBG continues to be an invaluable resource for addressing community-identified needs by filling in crucial funding gaps to build stronger communities across the Commonwealth.”
Southwest Virginia’s Lee County will receive the largest grant of $3 million to construct a western Lee County sewer. According to the Lee County Public Service Authority, its residents “are not served by a public wastewater collection and/or treatment system at this time.” The county is also set to receive $480,000 to extend its Fairview Waterline.
The town of Lebanon will receive $2 million for an infrastructure project for its Main Street Villas, low- to moderate-income housing for 21-42 residents 55 and older. Nine other localities – mostly in Southwest or southern Virginia but with some in Shenandoah and near Richmond – will receive between $1 and 2 million for similar projects, and the remaining funds will go to the other 21 localities.
“Community Development Block Grants have facilitated targeted support to Virginia’s communities for over 40 years, and their effects have been profound,” said the Director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, Bryan Horn. “By investing in our communities, we are able to support them in the unique ways that they need, with solutions that include their residents’ unique voices, all while protecting vulnerable populations and building stronger local economies.”
