COMMISSION APPROVES 18 FUNDING REQUESTS
Halifax County, VA – The Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission held its third and final scheduled meeting of the year on Wednesday, September 24th at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) in Halifax with committee meetings held the day prior. The Commission played a critical role in the revival of VIR, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, and has continued that support in the years since. VIR now employs over 300 people and attracts over 350,000 visitors each year, many of whom are from out of state. It is one of the largest tourism destinations in Southern Virginia, generating millions of dollars of economic impact each year. For more information on VIR and its history, please take a look at their VIR Reborn documentary.
Among the funding requests in support of a variety of organizations and initiatives across Southern and Southwest Virginia, including agriculture, business development and tourism projects, the Commission supported three 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 supported the development of an energy-focused unmanned aircraft system (UAS)/drone center in collaboration with the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Logistics Systems. This center will serve as a catalyst for energy-centric UAS research, innovation and training.
The Commission adopted a new strategic plan that will chart the Commission’s course through 2027. The strategic planning effort, led by a team from the Virginia Tech Center for Economic and Community Engagement, included multiple input sessions, interviews and more with stakeholders from across the Commission’s footprint to ensure that the Commission is meeting the needs of the communities it serves.
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.
“Our meetings here at Virginia International Raceway have been a huge success,” said Commission Chairman, Delegate Will Morefield. “VIR is a good example of the diverse array of opportunities and attractions we have across Southern and Southwest Virginia, and why I am so proud of the projects we have supported. The Commission approved a remarkable slate of projects that showcase the ingenuity of our region. We’re seeding the future of agriculture, fueling innovation in the energy sector, enhancing our unique tourism assets that draw visitors from all over and working with a variety of partners to meet our workforce housing challenges. None of this progress would be possible without the steady leadership and tireless dedication of Executive Director James Campos. His commitment to our mission has been instrumental in turning these ambitious ideas into realities for the communities of Southern and Southwest Virginia, and we are deeply grateful for his service.”
“Serving as Executive Director of the Commission has been one of the highlights of my career,” said TRRC Executive Director, Hon. James E. Campos. “While I plan to remain on through our meetings in Richmond in January, this will be my last meeting in the Commission’s footprint. I am incredibly proud of the work we have done over the last few years. We’ve launched innovative new programs to harness the opportunities the energy economy can bring, renewed our focus on agriculture, developed a program to help address our workforce housing shortage and so much more. Energy, in particular, is a priority of mine because it is critical to the success of Southern and Southwest Virginia moving forward. Affordable, available energy is at the foundation of economic growth. Perhaps most importantly, we have increased collaboration across the board with state and local partners alike, which will serve the Commission well for many years to come. As I look to finish strong over the next few months, I’d like to thank our Commissioners and our staff for the incredible work they do for the people of Southern and Southwest Virginia. It’s their work, combined with the extraordinary efforts of our partners across the region, that makes the progress we’ve seen possible.”
