Governor Terry McAuliffe announced Monday more than $700,000 in Community Development Block Grants for the Counties of Charles City and Wise. Charles City County will receive $600,000 for the Charles City County Roxbury Broadband Project through the CDBG Community Economic Development Fund, and wise county will receive $122,652 for the Wells Boone Sewer Project through the CDBG Construction Ready Water and Sewer Fund.
Speaking about Monday’s announcement, Governor McAuliffe said, “In order to build a new Virginia economy, we must utilize resources like Community Development Block Grants to invest in projects that provide critical infrastructure like broadband, water and sewer. These infrastructure investments are a key component of my economic development strategic plan, and I am thrilled to announce these grants for Charles City and Wise Counties.”
“We are truly excited about this announcement today, particularly because it demonstrates what we can accomplish with a partnership between federal, state and local entities,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones. “This team approach to economic development will create the infrastructure that we need to bring jobs and businesses to our communities for years to come.”
The Charles City County project will result in broadband installation to serve the Roxbury Industrial Park and other businesses along Route 106. The project is expected to retain nearly 175 jobs from one of the county’s largest employers, and help supply broadband availability to new businesses in the eastern portion of the county. The program is in recognition of the need to be responsive to economic development opportunities in eligible localities. The funding is available for projects involving the location, expansion or retention of a basic industry, and is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis from January 1 through the end of September.
The wise county project will provide new public sewer service to the Wells Boone community, alleviating the reliance on aging septic systems that were built in poor soil conditions. The project is expected to benefit 11 households, with seven of those households being low- to moderate-income. The sewer service is funded under the CDBG Construction Ready Water and Sewer Fund, which provides assistance to projects providing public water or sewer service to communities made up of at least 60% low- to moderate-income households. Funds are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis from January 1 through the end of September.
Since 1982, the federally-funded CDBG program has been administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, and Virginia receives up to $17 million annually for this grant program. Most CDBG grant funds are awarded through a competitive process.
2014 CDBG Construction Ready Water and Sewer Fund:
| Locality | Project Name | CDBG Award |
| Wise County | Wells Boone Sewer Project | $122,652 |
2014 CDBG Community Economic Development Fund:
| Locality | Project Name | CDBG Award |
| Charles City County | Charles City County Roxbury Broadband Project | $600,000 |
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