Governor Glenn Youngkin has announced that $6.2 million in Growth and Opportunity for Virginia (GO Virginia) grants will be distributed to 10 projects aimed at advancing economic competitiveness in the state. These grants are expected to leverage an additional $4 million in investments.
“GO Virginia continues to be a catalyst for innovation and opportunity across the Commonwealth,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Virginia is stronger than ever, but we have to keep going. By investing $6.2 million in these projects, we are strengthening Virginia’s workforce, advancing key strategic industries, and keeping Virginia competitive for years to come.”
The projects receiving funding focus on areas such as aviation maintenance training, expansion of industrial trades programs, talent development in technology sectors, regional innovation initiatives, and long-term strategic planning. Many of these efforts involve collaborations with local school divisions, community colleges, and research universities to align graduate skills with emerging industry needs.
Emily O’Quinn, Chair of the GO Virginia State Board, stated: “Across the Commonwealth, we see alignment in support of stronger talent pipelines, commercialization activity, and the development of competitive sites. This kind of regional collaboration is the key to new jobs and more economic opportunities.”
Since 2022, GO Virginia has contributed to creating 1,100 new businesses and expanding another 1,100 businesses statewide. The program has also helped generate 25,000 jobs across 131 localities by supporting innovation and workforce growth through 147 projects funded with $72 million from the state and $61 million from non-state sources. In addition to job creation and business growth, these investments have led to the retention of 12,500 jobs and launched 125 programs that trained approximately 45,000 Virginians.
The awarded projects cover multiple regions:
– The Industrial Skills Trades Regional Expansion will provide industry-aligned training in fields such as electrical work and carpentry through Danville Community College and Southside Virginia Community College.
– VCU’s Small Business Opportunity Center will expand into new regions via partnerships with universities and entrepreneur organizations.
– Albemarle County Public Schools will set up GO TEC Career Connection Labs in all middle schools within Region 9.
– The HOMEWorks Initiative will create a skilled trades training center for modular construction education.
– Project RISE aims to strengthen startup support systems in Roanoke and New River Valley by providing commercialization assistance.
– The Danville Aviation Training Facility seeks to expand aviation technician training through partnerships at Danville Regional Airport.
Additional planning grants were awarded for initiatives like developing a long-term economic strategy for the Blue Ridge Innovation Corridor; addressing workforce shortages through VersAbility TECH Center; inventorying developable sites in Northern Neck; creating a workforce plan for automated vehicle technologies; reskilling tech workers via NOVA TechWorks; embedding AI competencies into health sciences training at George Washington University; and studying robotics education expansion in Lynchburg.
For more information about GO Virginia’s role in driving economic progress across the state visit dhcd.virginia.gov/gova.
