The Mary Ball Washington Regional Council (MBWRC) is seeking applications for GO Virginia project funding. 

GO Virginia funding seeks to grow jobs that pay higher than the regional median wage ($22/hour or $44,058 annually), and attracts new investment, especially new to Virginia. Region 6 is focused on job creation and promotion in six “clusters”: Aquaculture / Seafood / Commercial Fishing / Marine Industries; Forestry / Wood Products / Paper; Manufacturing; Logistics / Distribution; Information / Data Centers; and Professional, Scientific and Technical Services.

Proposed projects should benefit an industry or region as a whole, rather than a single business entity. Projects should emphasize traded sectors and demonstrate an ongoing, region-wide demand for the project or program. Projects also are required to demonstrate strong local match and meaningful local participation and leadership.

Project Types

  • Enhanced Capacity Building ($100,000 maximum, 1:1 match, no local match requirement)
  • Collaborative (no maximum, 1:1 match, of which 20% or $50,000 (whichever is greater) must be from local governments)

Allowable Projects

GO Virginia DOES FUND

  • Entrepreneurial Activities
  • Regional Site Development
  • Workforce Development

GO Virginia DOES NOT FUND

  • Healthcare or quality of life projects
  • Incentives to private companies
  • Scholarships
  • Transportation projects (unless associated with site development)
  • Implementation of broadband (on hold pending statewide strategy)

Key Project Requirements

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.

Application Timeline

 Round 3Round 4Round 5Round 6Round 7Round 8Round 9Round 10
Letters of Intent due to GWRCAug 09, 2019Oct 11, 2019Dec 06, 2019Feb 14, 2020Apr 17, 2020Jun 12, 2020Aug 14, 2020Oct 09, 2020
Interested Applicants meet with StaffAug 12-23, 2019Oct 15-25, 2019Dec 9-20, 2019Feb 18-28, 2020Apr 21-May 1, 2020Jun 16-26, 2020Aug 18-28, 2020Oct 13-23, 2020
Applications due to GWRCSep 20, 2019Nov 22, 2019Jan 24, 2020Mar 27, 2020May 22, 2020Jul 24, 2020Sep 18, 2020Nov 20, 2020
Staff ReviewSept 23-27, 2019Nov 25-27, 2019Jan 27-31, 2020Mar 30-Apr 3, 2020May 25-29, 2020Jul 27-31, 2020Sept 21-Sept 25, 2020Nov 30-Dec 4, 2020
Applicants Meet with Interview PanelSept 30-Oct 4, 2019Dec 2-6, 2019Feb 3-7, 2020Apr 6-10, 2020Jun 1-5, 2020Aug 3-7, 2020Sept 28-Oct 2, 2020Dec 7-11, 2020
Regional Council Meeting (Applications Considered for Region 6 Approval)Oct 07, 2019Dec 09, 2019Feb 10, 2020Apr 13, 2020Jun 08, 2020Aug 10, 2020Oct 05, 2020Dec 14, 2020
GWRC Submits Approved Applications to DHCDOct 28, 2019Feb 07, 2020May 15, 2020May 15, 2020Jul 31, 2020Oct 30, 2020Oct 30, 2020*TBD
State Board Workgroup ReviewNov 5-6, 2019Feb 19-20, 2020May 26-28, 2020May 26-28, 2020Aug 11-13, 2020Nov 10-12, 2020Nov 10-12, 2020*TBD
State Board Feedback LoopNov 8-19, 2019Feb 24-Mar 3, 2020Jun 1-8, 2020Jun 1-8, 2020Aug 14-21, 2020Nov 16-24, 2020Nov 16-24, 2020*TBD
State Board Meeting (Applications Considered for Final Approval)Dec 10, 2019Mar 17, 2020Jun 23, 2020Jun 23, 2020Sep 03, 2020Dec 08, 2020Dec 08, 2020*TBD

How to Apply

Projects must adhere to the requirements outlined in the following documents:

These requirements, as well as policy decisions made by the State Board, are summarized in the FY20 Project Application Packet. The packet includes grant guidelines, the letter of intent template, the application form, and attachment templates.

Potentially interested applicants are required to submit a 1-2 page letter of interest that:

  • Includes the name and contact information of the expected primary applicant
  • Identifies possible Region 6 jurisdictions to be impacted/involved
  • Includes list of likely partners and collaborators
  • Provides a brief narrative description of the project (250 words max)
  • Identifies likely total costs including anticipated GO Virginia request and matching fund sources
  • Includes a clear description of expected outcome or result – clearly describing how the project would spur growth of higher-wage jobs in one or more of Region 6’s priority clusters AND respond to one or more of the identified strategies in the Region 6 Growth and Diversification Plan

In order to apply for Fiscal Year 2020 funding through GO Virginia Region 6, prospective applicants are required to submit a letter of intent, using the template above, to Kate Gibson via email (gibson@gwregion.org).

For clarification on these guidelines, or for help with initial brainstorming, please reach out to Kate Gibson at 540-642-1579 or gibson@gwregion.org.

  • Letter of Intent Template: Word

Full FY20 Project Application Packet: PDF | Word

  • Application Form: Word
  • Attachment Templates:
    • Project Milestones & Drawdown Schedule: Word
    • Performance Metrics: Word
    • Return on Investment (ROI) Calculations: Excel
    • In-Kind Contribution Form: Excel
    • Budget Overview Form: Excel