TOBACCO REGION REVITALIZATION COMMISSION MEETS IN BRISTOL
COMMISSION APPROVES 45 FUNDING REQUESTS
Bristol, VA – The Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission held its second scheduled meeting of the year on Wednesday, May 21st in Bristol with committee meetings held the day prior.
Among the funding requests in support of a variety of organizations and initiatives across Southern and Southwest Virginia, the Commission supported 3 workforce housing projects that will create over 130 units targeting families earning between 80-120% of the area median income. A shortage of workforce housing in the Commission’s footprint has consistently been cited as a barrier to growth and these additional units will play a role in helping meet this demand.
The Commission also approved the TRRC Large Animal Veterinary Incentive Program. This program will support footprint producers by increasing the number of large animal vets to treat livestock. The program will offer annual, increasing incentive payments ($150K over five years) to new veterinarians serving the region, as well as provide funding for a support position at Virginia Tech.
TRRC’s Energy Ingenuity Program continues to fund innovative projects. The Commission approved a $1 million grant and a $740,000 loan for the Greensville County Reformed Energy Industrial Gasification Plant. This facility will serve as a vital demonstration of how waste-to-energy technology can mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, create economic opportunities, and provide a scalable model for sustainable industrial energy production. Director of Regional Energy Development and Innovation, Jerry Silva, extends his sincere thanks to the Virginia Department of Energy for their assistance in making this project possible.
| Additional approved funding includes investments in the areas of education and workforce development, tourism, sites and infrastructure and more. These awards are part of the Commission’s 25 years of work helping to rebuild the economies of Southern and Southwest Virginia. For a full list of projects approved at this meeting please CLICK HERE. For more information, the meeting packet on our website contains detailed project descriptions, staff comments, grant requirements and other business, including project extensions and modifications to previous awards. |
| “The meetings over the last few days here in Bristol offer great examples of the wide range of areas in which the Commission plays a key role in helping our communities grow and prosper,” said Commission Chairman, Delegate Will Morefield. “I’m particularly excited about the Commission’s new focus on meeting the need for additional large animal veterinarians. This program will complement the Large Animal Veterinary Grant Program recently signed into law by Governor Youngkin by providing additional incentives for veterinarians that locate in the Commission’s footprint. Supporting our producers is critical to the future of Southern and Southwest Virginia and I am pleased to see the Commission once again play a role in offering innovative solutions to meet their needs.” “It was a pleasure to be in Bristol and to see so many great projects that will make a real difference move forward,” said TRRC Executive Director, Hon. James E. Campos. “Over the last few days the Commission has continued its investment in our young people and those seeking industry-recognized credentials through our community colleges and other educational institutions. We’re helping to tackle the shortage of affordable housing by committing funds that will help create places Southern and Southwest Virginia families can call home, and we have continued funding energy projects, a special interest of mine and a sector that holds vast growth potential for our communities. I applaud the efforts of our Commissioners and staff and look forward to seeing these exciting initiatives get underway.” |
Contact: Jordan Butler
Telephone: 804-894-9652
Cell: 757-692-0878
Email: jbutler@revitalizeva.org
Website: www.revitalizeva.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
5/22/2025