Three projects across the southside will receive some grant funds from the state. Last week Governor Glenn Youngkin announced $6.2 million in Growth and Opportunity for Virginia (GO Virginia) grants for 10 projects that advance Virginia’s economic competitiveness through innovation, workforce development, and strategic industry growth.

Over $1.3 million will go towards expanding industrial skills trades training across the southside. This regional initiative expands industrial skills trades training across Southern Virginia through partnership with Danville Community College (DCC) and Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC). The project will deliver industry-aligned programs in electrical, carpentry, HVAC, plumbing, and industrial maintenance. 

$92k will go towards the Danville Aviation Training Facility. The Danville Aviation Training Facility will support the aviation training center at the Danville Regional Airport and advance aviation maintenance education in Southern Virginia. Through partnerships with Danville Community College, Averett University and Danville City Public Schools, the project aims to expand the region’s pipeline for skilled aviation technicians and build on growing activity at the Danville Regional Airport. 

$250k will be used for the The Blue Ridge Innovation Corridor Vision 2050 project in Danville and Martinsville as well as Pittsylvania, Henry and Franklin Counties. The project will develop a regional strategy to guide long-term economic growth across Regions 2 and 3. Led by Region 3, the study will produce strategic recommendations across seven focus areas, including advanced manufacturing, life sciences and biotechnology, IT and emerging technology, infrastructure investment priorities, a funding roadmap and a governance model to support implementation.