Governor Glenn Youngkin has announced that $6.2 million in Growth and Opportunity for Virginia (GO Virginia) grants will be distributed to support 10 projects aimed at enhancing economic competitiveness across the state. These projects 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 new funding round targets areas such as aviation maintenance training, industrial trades expansion, talent pathways in technology sectors, regional innovation ecosystems, and long-term planning for industry opportunities. Many of the initiatives involve partnerships with local school divisions, community colleges, and research universities to align educational programs with current industry needs.
Emily O’Quinn, Chair of the GO Virginia State Board, commented on the collaborative approach: “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 generated approximately 25,000 jobs by supporting innovation and workforce development efforts throughout all regions of Virginia. To date, GO Virginia has funded 147 projects with $72 million from state sources while attracting $61 million in matching non-state investments. Additionally, these investments have retained about 12,500 jobs and led to the launch of 125 new training programs that have served around 45,000 Virginians.
Among this year’s grant recipients are:
– A regional initiative expanding industrial skills trades training in Southern Virginia through Danville Community College and Southside Virginia Community College.
– Expansion of VCU’s Small Business Opportunity Center into additional regions via university partnerships.
– Installation of Career Connection Labs introducing middle school students in Albemarle County and surrounding areas to high-demand technical skills.
– The HOMEWorks Initiative establishing a skilled trades education center focused on modular construction.
– Project RISE providing commercialization assistance for startups in Roanoke and New River Valley.
– Support for aviation maintenance education at Danville Regional Airport through collaborations with local educational institutions.
Other funded efforts include feasibility studies for robotics education expansion near Lynchburg; strategic planning for advanced manufacturing corridors; creation of inventories for potential commercial sites; workforce pathway plans targeting electric vehicle technologies; reskilling programs responding to changes in federal contracting demands; initiatives embedding AI competencies into biomedical data fields; and pilot employer-informed workforce models connecting students with job opportunities.
More information about GO Virginia’s ongoing work can be found at dhcd.virginia.gov/gova.