A Look Back at 2020
GO Virginia Region 6 funded 11 projects in 2020, sending $4,044,258 into the community. Projects ranged from COVID-19 relief, to a better understanding of the workforce needs of the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula, to laying the foundation of an innovation ecosystem that will create a new, long-term, high-paying economic industry cluster.
What is GO Virginia?
The Virginia Growth and Opportunity (GO Virginia) program was created in 2017 with a focus on creating regional collaboration through efforts that strengthened and diversified regional economies and the creation of high paying jobs in targeted traded industry sectors. GO Virginia divided the state into 9 regions.
GO Virginia Region 6 encompasses Planning Districts 16 (George Washington), 17 (Northern Neck), and 18 (Middle Peninsula).
Region 6 focuses on industry sectors including:
- Aquaculture / Seafood / Commercial Fishing / Marine Industries
- Forestry / Wood Products / Paper
- Manufacturing
- Distribution / Logistics
- Information / Data Centers
- Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
And broad priority investment areas in:
- Workforce Development
- Start-Up Ecosystem
- Cluster Scale Up
- Sites Development
Projects Funded in 2020
Each year, the GO Virginia State Board allocates GO Virginia Region 6 per capita funding based on the regional population for project funds. In April 2020, the GO Virginia State Board apprioprated each regional council an addition $1M in funding for projects in response to the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Economic resilience and recovery projects - $163,000
To place the MPPDC/MPCBPAA in the position of both becoming a temporary “market maker” to facilitate electronic commerce between those who want to purchase “local” and those who can sell “local”. The app will be live in February 2021. Funding was used to create an launch an app to connect buyers/sellers in the region. More information can be found at https://baydirectva.com/.
Funding Amount: $77,000
To complete a telehealth assessment on the potential of including a telehealth wing in the proposed King and Queen Telework Business Incubator Center that is being built.
Funding Amount: $50,000
To provide funding to the WWTC to allow the center to resume operations in the fall, as it will otherwise not be able to remain open to provide training to a critical workforce in the region. Funding will allow for the continuation of welding courses offered by Rappahannock Community College and the addition of machinist courses at the facility.
Funding Amount: $36,000
Enhanced capacity building - $232,165
To understand the market demand for a technology-based entrepreneurial development program and accelerator in the Fredericksburg region around the cyber/IT environment. Stafford County EDA in partnership with King George and Fredericksburg will implement a test program that will allow access to the market and build a business model for a sustained program using the successful RIOT framework, to help explore the potential market for hosting a technology-based accelerator focusing on tech and cyber opportunities.
Funding Amount: $75,000
To help identify gaps in training and deliver to employers what they need to grow and expand their businesses within the Rappahannock Community College (RCC) service area. The Northern Neck Planning District Commission with partnerships from RCC and the Bay Consortium Workforce Development Board will develop a blueprint of what is needed by local companies and other workforce needs, designate levels of prioritization of implementation, cost estimates, and actionable steps to improve the quality and quantity of workforce training in the region.
Funding Amount: $62,500
To study the feasibility of a commercial kitchen at the Longwood Hull Springs site to serve producers and culinary students in the Northern Neck of Virginia.
Funding Amount: $50,000
To better position localities in the Fredericksburg region to collaborate on site development. GO Virginia funding will be used to set up the legal structure of the RIFA.
Funding Amount: $14,665
To provide the Fredericksburg region (a sub-region of Region 6) with a better understanding of the types of industries, enabling and focusing the sub-region’s economic and workforce development efforts.
Funding Amount: $30,000
Per capita implementation - $711,930
To develop two new curriculums to train a workforce in information technology (IT), engineering, computer science and cyber related professions; host two summer camps for middle/high school students; and develop a web portal to engage students in jobs that meet their credentials.
Funding Amount – $634,938
To advance 29 acres of undeveloped lots in Essex County along the Virginia Business Ready Site Program (VBRSP), from a Tier 2 to at least a Tier 3. GO Virginia funds will be used to create the engineering reports for this site.
Funding Amount: $76,992
Statewide competitive lead region
This project will lay the foundation of an innovation ecosystem that will create a new, long-term, high-paying economic industry cluster. GO Virginia funds will be used to help fund product innovation and development and determine the landscape for coastal resilience planning.
Funding Amount: $2,937,163
