(Richmond) — A couple of local sites will get big state support to improve and expand.
Governor Glenn Youngkin Thursday awarded $126 million in Virginia Business Ready Sites Program development grants for 23 sites across the Commonwealth.
“Business-ready sites drive and accelerate economic growth, and our continued investments in site development position the Commonwealth to compete to win transformative projects that will bring hundreds and thousands of jobs to Virginia,” said Youngkin. “A growing inventory of project-ready sites is a huge competitive advantage, and our investments in the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program were a big factor in Virginia being named America’s Top State for Business.”
This will pay for infrastructure improvements that prepare sites for employers and manufacturers. It also streamlines permits and approvals to create a smooth construction process.
“Speed to market is a major consideration in site selection decisions, and the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program has helped Virginia increase its inventory of suitable sites for major projects,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. “This round of the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program will enhance 23 sites across the Commonwealth, ensuring all of Virginia is positioned to fully capture economic development and job creation opportunities for years to come.”
The Coleman site in Danville will get nine million dollars. That’s a 158-acre development off of Gypsum Road in the southern end of Danville. It is in the early stages of development. The Danville Industrial Development Authority wants to build an 80-acre graded pad, an access road, and created a graded area for the extension of rail service to the Coleman site. The IDA will vote next week on applying for a four million dollar grant from the Tobacco Commission.
Meantime, the Southern Virginia Megasite at Berry Hill is getting six million dollars from the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program for further development. More than $200 million has been spent the past 15 years to make the Southern Virginia Mega Site at Berry Hill the largest industrial park in the Southeast.
The Virginia Business Ready Sites Program was developed by a team of state, regional, and local partners including VEDP, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, railroad representatives, utility representatives, civil engineers, and other government, business, and industry representatives. Grants are considered on a competitive basis and made at the discretion of an investment committee composed of VEDP and Administration leaders.