GO Virginia Region 6 Grant Application

Step 1: Brainstorm Ideas
The Mary Ball Washington Regional Council (MBWRC) is seeking applications for GO Virginia project funding. All ideas are welcome.
Think about the following when determining if your project fits:
- Align with Region 6’s priority industry clusters?
- Aquaculture / Seafood / Commercial Fishing / Marine Industries
- Forestry / Wood Products / Paper
- Manufacturing
- Logistics / Distribution
- Information / Data Centers
- Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
- Align with Statewide Project Themes?
- Entrepreneurial Activities
- Regional Site Development
- Workforce Development
- Does the project create higher paying jobs?
- Does the project have collaboration from two or more localities?
- What is the budget for your idea?
- What kind of return on investment would your project expect to see?
Proposed projects should benefit an industry or region as a whole, rather than a single business entity. Check out our What is a GO Virginia Project Fact Sheet to see if your idea meets our basic guidelines.
We suggest that all applicants consider have a pre-screening call with a member of our staff to ensure the project fits within the grant perimeters prior to completing an Initial Project Review Form.
Step 2: Choose What Type of Grant
Enhanced Capacity Building
$100,000 maximum, match must be at least equal to 50% of the GO Virginia request (EX: GO Virginia Request $100,000; Match $50,000), no local match requirement
These projects are Planning Grants i.e. Feasibility Studies, Pre-Development Activities, Plans, and Capacity Building Activities
Implementation
No maximum on ask, match must be at least equal to 50% of the GO Virginia request (EX: GO Virginia Request $100,000; Match $50,000), no local match requirement
Statewide Competitive Projects
These projects are multi-regional and are accessed at the regional and state level. These projects are not funded at a regional level, but from a separate state fund.
COVID-19 Economic Resilience and Recovery (ERR) Fast Access
$100,000 maximum, match must be at least equal to 50% of the GO Virginia request (EX: GO Virginia Request $100,000; Match $50,000), no local match requirement
These funds are to assist the Virginia economy in COVID-19 recovery efforts. These Fast Access requests may include pre-implementation activities (needs assessments, etc.) and implementation or smaller-scale implementation projects. Applicants are encouraged to think holistically about the needs in their region and focus on efforts that produce near term impact in the region.
COVID-19 Economic Resilience and Recovery (ERR) Implementation and Statewide Competitive Projects
These projects are to assist the Virginia economy in COVID-19 relief efforts. These funds will help the region build capacity to support and serve existing businesses, priority traded sectors, and essential businesses, including the healthcare system and its supply chain during this crisis.
STOP: Key Project Requirements
GO Virginia DOES FUND
- Entrepreneurial Activities
- Regional Site Development
- Workforce Development
GO Virginia DOES NOT FUND
- Healthcare or quality of life projects (exception: Economic Resilience and Recovery Projects and projects that can demonstrate that they will generate out-of-state revenue, such as a center of excellence or specialized/innovative model)
- Incentives to private companies
- Scholarships
- Transportation projects (unless associated with site development)
- Implementation of broadband (on hold pending statewide strategy)
More Higher Paying Jobs
Projects must create “high-paying jobs”, defined as above the average wage ($21.18hr/$44,058) of the GO Virginia Region and/or project service area.
Collaboration
Projects must have at least two participating localities, political subdivisions, or public bodies corporate and politic. “Participation” can include financial participation, in-kind contribution, participation on a project advisory team, and/or administration of the project.
Out of State Revenue
Projects must align with at least one of the six priority clusters identified in the Region 6 Economic Growth & Diversification Plan; these clusters primarily generate revenue from outside the region/state.

Step 3: How to Apply
GO Virginia Grant Guidelines and Rules
Please read below the GO Virginia Grant Guidelines and Rules before applying for any GO Virginia grant. These guidelines and rules apply to all grants. If you have questions, please email Jennifer Morgan at morgan@gwregion.org.
GO Virginia Grant Guidelines and Rules
Includes information about:
- Applicant Eligibility
- Project Types
- Project Requirements
- Match Requirements
- Project Timeline
- Performance Metrics
- Sustainability
- Application Process
Schedule a Project Call with Staff
This is an optional call to discuss your idea with staff. If you would like to discuss your idea, please email Jennifer Morgan at morgan@gwregion.org to schedule a call.
Apply
Enhanced Capacity Building (ECB) Project Materials: PDF | WORD
Attachment Templates:
- Project Milestones & Drawdown Schedule: Word
- Performance Metrics: Guidance and Examples | Word Template
- Return on Investment (ROI) Calculations: Excel
- In-Kind Contribution Form: Excel
- Budget Overview Form: Excel
- GO Virginia Match Requirements: Policy
How to Apply Timeline
Recommended Call/Meeting with Region 6 Staff | ||||||||||||
Applicant Submits Draft Application | November 20, 2020 | December 23, 2020 | January 22, 2021 | February 19, 2021 | March 26, 2021 | April 23, 2021 | May 21, 2021 | June 25, 2021 | July 23, 2021 | August 27, 2021 | September 24, 2021 | October 22, 2021 |
Initial Project Review Call | November 23-27, 2020 | December 28-31, 2020 | January 25-29, 2021 | February 22-26, 2021 | March 29-April 2, 2021 | April 26-30, 2021 | May 24-28, 2021 | June 28-July 2, 2021 | July 26-30, 2021 | August 30-September 3, 2021 | September 27-October 1, 2021 | October 25-29, 2021 |
Applicant Works on Application | November 30-December 18, 2020 | January 4-22,2021 | February 1-19, 2021 | March 1-19, 2021 | April 5-23, 2021 | May 3-21, 2021 | May 31- June 18, 2021 | July 5-23, 2021 | August 2-20, 2021 | September 7-24, 2021 | October 4-22, 2021 | November 1-19, 2021 |
Applicant Submits Final Application | December 18, 2019 | January 22, 2021 | February 19, 2021 | March 19, 2021 | April 23, 2021 | May 21, 2021 | June 18, 2021 | July 23, 2021 | August 20, 2021 | September 24, 2021 | October 22, 2021 | Novermber 19, 2021 |
Review by Staff and Two Council Members | December 21-23, 2020 | January 25-29, 2021 | February 22-26, 2021 | March 22-26, 2021 | April 26-30, 2021 | May 24-28, 2021 | June 21-25, 2021 | July 26-30, 2021 | August 23-27, 2021 | September 27-October 1, 2021 | October 25-29, 2021 | November 22-26, 2021 |
Applicant Responds to Questions; Sends Final Application with Tracked Changes | December 28-31, 2020 | February 1-5, 2021 | March 1-5, 2021 | Marhc 29-April 2, 2021 | May 3-7, 2021 | May 31-June 4, 2021 | June 28-July 2, 2021 | August 2-6, 2021 | August 30-September 3, 2021 | October 4-8, 2021 | November 1-5, 2021 | November 29-December 3, 2021 |
Staff Writes Final Comments | January 4-6, 2021 | February 8-10, 2020 | March 8-10, 2021 | April 5-7, 2021 | May 10-12, 2021 | June 7-9, 2021 | July 5-7, 2021 | August 9-11, 2021 | September 6-8, 2021 | October 12-13, 2021 | November 8-10, 2021 | December 6-8, 2021 |
Application Sent to Regional Council/Executive Committee | January 6, 2021 | February 10, 2021 | March 10, 2021 | April 7, 2021 | May 12, 2021 | June 9, 2021 | July 7, 2021 | August 11, 2021 | September 8, 2021 | October 13, 2021 | November 10, 2021 | December 8, 2021 |
Regional Council/Executive Committee Meeting | January 11, 2021 | February 15, 2021 | March 15, 2021 | April 12, 2021 | May 17, 2021 | June 14, 2021 | July 12, 2021 | August 16, 2021 | September 13, 2021 | October 18, 2021 | November 15, 2021 | December 13, 2021 |
Implementation Projects Project Materials: PDF | Word
Attachment Templates:
- Project Milestones & Drawdown Schedule: Word
- Performance Metrics: Guidance and Examples | Word Template
- Return on Investment (ROI) Calculations: Excel
- In-Kind Contribution Form: Excel
- Budget Overview Form: Excel
- GO Virginia Match Requirements: Policy
HOW TO APPLY TIMELINE
Recommended Call/Meeting with Region 6 Staff | ||||
Applicant Submits Initial Project Review Form | November 13, 2020 | February 26, 2021 | May 28, 2021 | August 20, 2021 |
Initial Project Review Call | November 16-20, 2020 | March 1-5, 2021 | May 31-June 4, 2021 | August 23-27, 2021 |
Applicant Works on Application | December 1-30, 2020 | March 8-April 2, 2021 | June 7-July 2, 2021 | August 30-September 24, 2021 |
Applicant Submits Final Application | December 30, 2020 | April 2, 2021 | July 2, 2021 | September 24, 2021 |
Review of Final Application by Staff and Two Council Members | January 4-8, 2021 | April 5-9, 2021 | July 5-9,2021 | September 27-October 1, 2021 |
Applicant Responds to Questions; Sends Final Application with Tracked Changes | January 11-15,2021 | April 12-16, 2021 | July 12-16,2021 | October 4-8,2021 |
Staff Writes Final Comments | January 15, 2021 | April 16, 2021 | July 16, 2021 | October 8, 2021 |
Application Sent to Full Council | January 15, 2021 | April 16, 2021 | July 16, 2021 | October 8, 2021 |
Regional Council Meeting | January 25, 2021 | April 26, 2021 | July 26, 2021 | October 18, 2021 |
GWRC Submits Approved Applications to DHCD | February 5, 2021 | May 7, 2021 | August 6, 2021 | October 29, 2021 |
State Board Workgroup Review | February 16-18, 2021 | May 18-20,2021 | August 17-19, 2021 | November 9-11, 2021 |
State Board Feedback Loop | February 22-March 1, 2021 | May 24-31, 2021 | August 23-30, 2021 | November 15-22, 2021 |
State Board Meeting (Applications Considered for Final Approval) | March 16, 2021 | June 15, 2021 | September 14, 2021 | December 7, 2021 |
Statewide Competitive Project Materials: PDF | Word
Attachment Templates:
- Project Milestones & Drawdown Schedule: Word
- Performance Metrics: Guidance and Examples | Word Template
- Return on Investment (ROI) Calculations: Excel
- In-Kind Contribution Form: Excel
- Budget Overview Form: Excel
- GO Virginia Match Requirements: Policy
Applicants applying for a Statewide Competitive Grant are required to submit an Initial Project Review to be approved by the Region 6 Executive Committee or Council before Region 6 will be involved in a Statewide Competitive Grant.
HOW TO APPLY TIMELINE
Recommended Call/Meeting with Region 6 Staff | ||||
Applicant Submits Initial Project Review Form | November 13, 2020 | February 26, 2021 | May 28, 2021 | August 20, 2021 |
Initial Project Review Call | November 16-20, 2020 | March 1-5, 2021 | May 31-June 4, 2021 | August 23-27, 2021 |
Applicant Works on Application | December 1-30, 2020 | March 8-April 2, 2021 | June 7-July 2, 2021 | August 30-September 24, 2021 |
Applicant Submits Final Application | December 30, 2020 | April 2, 2021 | July 2, 2021 | September 24, 2021 |
Review of Final Application by Staff and Two Council Members | January 4-8, 2021 | April 5-9, 2021 | July 5-9,2021 | September 27-October 1, 2021 |
Applicant Responds to Questions; Sends Final Application with Tracked Changes | January 11-15,2021 | April 12-16, 2021 | July 12-16,2021 | October 4-8,2021 |
Staff Writes Final Comments | January 15, 2021 | April 16, 2021 | July 16, 2021 | October 8, 2021 |
Application Sent to Full Council | January 15, 2021 | April 16, 2021 | July 16, 2021 | October 8, 2021 |
Regional Council Meeting | January 25, 2021 | April 26, 2021 | July 26, 2021 | October 18, 2021 |
GWRC Submits Approved Applications to DHCD | February 5, 2021 | May 7, 2021 | August 6, 2021 | October 29, 2021 |
State Board Workgroup Review | February 16-18, 2021 | May 18-20,2021 | August 17-19, 2021 | November 9-11, 2021 |
State Board Feedback Loop | February 22-March 1, 2021 | May 24-31, 2021 | August 23-30, 2021 | November 15-22, 2021 |
State Board Meeting (Applications Considered for Final Approval) | March 16, 2021 | June 15, 2021 | September 14, 2021 | December 7, 2021 |
Economic Resilience and Recovery (ERR) Fast Access Project Materials: PDF | WORD
Attachment Templates:
- Project Milestones & Drawdown Schedule: Word
- Performance Metrics: Guidance and Examples | Word Template
- Return on Investment (ROI) Calculations: Excel
- In-Kind Contribution Form: Excel
- Budget Overview Form: Excel
- GO Virginia Match Requirements: Policy
HOW TO APPLY TIMELINE
Due to the economic effects of COVID-19 Region 6 has improved our timeline to allocate these funds quickly.
Staff highly encourages applicants meet with staff to discuss their project idea, prior to submission.
- Complete the above “Economic Resilience and Recovery (ERR) Fast Access Application” and submit it to Jennifer Morgan, morgan@gwregion.org.
- Applications will be reviewed by staff and two Council members.
- Applicants have the opportunity to respond to any questions and submit a final application with tracked changes.
- Staff will write final comments and submit to the Regional Council/Executive Committee for review.
COVID-19 ERR IMPLEMENTATION AND STATEWIDE COMPETITIVE PROJECT MATERIALS: PDF | WORD
Attachment Templates:
- Project Milestones & Drawdown Schedule: Word
- Performance Metrics: Guidance and Examples | Word Template
- Return on Investment (ROI) Calculations: Excel
- In-Kind Contribution Form: Excel
- Budget Overview Form: Excel
- GO Virginia Match Requirements: Policy
Applicants applying for a COVID-19 ERR Statewide Competitive Grant are required to submit an Initial Project Review to be approved by the Region 6 Executive Committee or Council before Region 6 will be involved in a Statewide Competitive Grant.
HOW TO APPLY TIMELINE
Recommended Call/Meeting with Region 6 Staff | ||||
Applicant Submits Initial Project Review Form | November 13, 2020 | February 26, 2021 | May 28, 2021 | August 20, 2021 |
Initial Project Review Call | November 16-20, 2020 | March 1-5, 2021 | May 31-June 4, 2021 | August 23-27, 2021 |
Applicant Works on Application | December 1-30, 2020 | March 8-April 2, 2021 | June 7-July 2, 2021 | August 30-September 24, 2021 |
Applicant Submits Final Application | December 30, 2020 | April 2, 2021 | July 2, 2021 | September 24, 2021 |
Review of Final Application by Staff and Two Council Members | January 4-8, 2021 | April 5-9, 2021 | July 5-9,2021 | September 27-October 1, 2021 |
Applicant Responds to Questions; Sends Final Application with Tracked Changes | January 11-15,2021 | April 12-16, 2021 | July 12-16,2021 | October 4-8,2021 |
Staff Writes Final Comments | January 15, 2021 | April 16, 2021 | July 16, 2021 | October 8, 2021 |
Application Sent to Full Council | January 15, 2021 | April 16, 2021 | July 16, 2021 | October 8, 2021 |
Regional Council Meeting | January 25, 2021 | April 26, 2021 | July 26, 2021 | October 18, 2021 |
GWRC Submits Approved Applications to DHCD | February 5, 2021 | May 7, 2021 | August 6, 2021 | October 29, 2021 |
State Board Workgroup Review | February 16-18, 2021 | May 18-20,2021 | August 17-19, 2021 | November 9-11, 2021 |
State Board Feedback Loop | February 22-March 1, 2021 | May 24-31, 2021 | August 23-30, 2021 | November 15-22, 2021 |
State Board Meeting (Applications Considered for Final Approval) | March 16, 2021 | June 15, 2021 | September 14, 2021 | December 7, 2021 |