Richmond, VA – The Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission held its first scheduled meeting of the year on Tuesday, January 7th in Richmond with committee meetings held the day prior.
The Commission elected Delegate Will Morefield to serve as Chairman of the Commission and Senator Lashrecse Aird to serve as Vice-Chair.
The Commission approved 27 funding requests in support of a variety of organizations and initiatives across Southern and Southwest Virginia (listed below).
Funded projects include investments in energy innovation, workforce training programs across Southern and Southwest Virginia, agriculture, tourism, site development and more. These awards are part of the Commission’s 25 years of work helping to rebuild the economies of Southern and Southwest Virginia.
ENERGY INGENUITY
4317, A.L. Philpott Manufacturing Extension Partnership d.b.a. GENEDGE Alliance
E-3 Assessment for Industrial Training Assessment Center (ITAC) Implementation
Grant Qualification Pilot Program – $49,250 Grant
The industrial sector consumes approximately 35% of U.S. energy, with manufacturing
accounting for approximately 76% of that total. Rising energy costs and growing regulatory
demands challenge small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs), particularly in
Virginia’s Tobacco Region. GENEDGE, approved as an ITAC-equivalent by the U.S.
Department of Energy, proposes a pilot project funded by the Tobacco Region Revitalization
Commission (TRRC) to help three (3) SMMs reduce energy costs, improve efficiency, and
achieve sustainability goals through capital projects and energy utilization investment. The
project will provide each participating manufacturer E-3 assessments and grant
application support for DOE’s ITAC Implementation Program. This initiative will enhance
manufacturers’ competitiveness and promote decarbonization by enabling access to
application for up to $300,000 in match grant funding per identified energy efficiency
project. Additionally, a market study is planned to identify high energy use manufacturing
across the Southern portion of the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commissions service
area for potential expansion of this pilot project and to identify potential participants in
future TRRC Energy Ingenuity program proposals.
4311, Commonwealth Center for Advanced Logistics Systems (CCALS)
Understanding Potential Hydrogen and Hydrogen-Hybrid Electric Use-Cases in
Southern Virginia – $50,000 Grant
This project explores the transformative potential of hydrogen and hybrid hydrogen-electric
solutions, including those powered by future MMR/SMR nuclear reactors, to revolutionize
rural infrastructure in Southern Virginia. By focusing on critical sectors such as surface
transportation, aviation, freight logistics, and data centers, the initiative will define
innovative use cases and scope demonstration projects that align with the
Commonwealth’s priorities. Emphasizing energy resilience, cybersecurity, and sustainable
economic growth, the project aims to establish Southern Virginia as a model for the
consideration of deploying hydrogen technologies. Funding from the Tobacco Region
Revitalization Commission (TRRC) will be used to support the requisite research,
stakeholder engagement, report compilation, and presentations necessary to develop an
initial roadmap and provide actionable insights to stakeholders.
4322, Commonwealth Center for Advanced Logistics Systems (CCALS)
CCALS & IVDA Developing a UAS (Drone) Energy Center in the TRRC Region – $49,560 Grant
CCALS will collaborate with the Inland Valley Development Agency (IVDA) on the project
entitled “Planning for the Launch of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Energy Center: A
Drone Testing and Training Center Focused on the Energy Sector in Virginia” seeks to build
upon Virginia’s vibrant drone industry, and the growing needs for UAS (Drone) technologies
in the energy sector by planning for the launch of a new UAS Energy Center in the Tobacco
Region footprint. Leveraging an already successful UAS center in San Bernadino, California
as a model, the CCALS – IVDA will use Commission and matching funds to build a solid
foundation for a UAS Energy Center by engaging with regional stakeholders, conducting
market research, assessing training needs, identifying a suitable location, developing
facility requirements, creating a funding strategy, and hosting “in-region” community
information sessions. The final deliverable will be a plan for a vibrant UAS energy center
that not only meets the needs of the energy sector but also enhances economic
development (jobs, research, capital investment) in the region.
4323, Virginia Ed Strategies
Energy Workforce Needs Assessment – $50,000 Grant
Energy demand is growing across the country, and in Virginia, specifically, there are plans
underway for a great amount of infrastructure development in the Southside and
Southwest regions to meet these demands. There is not currently a trained workforce
prepared to fill all of the roles that will be needed to successfully meet these demands. The
Energy Workforce Needs Assessment would address this issue with two major studies to
be conducted by a contractor in consultation with Virginia Ed Strategies, the Virginia Energy
Workforce Consortium, and other key partners across the Southside and Southwest
regions of the Tobacco Commission footprint: (1) to study the forecasted demand for
energy generation and capacity and how that demand will impact talent pipeline needs and
(2) to study the current and anticipated workforce needs for energy companies along with
the existing and planned training and education that would prepare future employees in the
region for these jobs. Funding from the Tobacco Commission would cover a contractor,
travel expenses, and miscellaneous expenses such as data or license fees. The studies
conducted with the planning grant will yield concrete data and recommendations for the
projects and partnerships that are critical to best meet those needs in the most efficient,
economical way.
4320, Virginia’s Gateway Region
Dinwiddie Energy Innovation Campus Planning Study – $50,000 Grant
Virginia’s Gateway Region and the Dominion Energy Innovation Center are requesting a
$50,000 Energy Catalyst Planning Grant to explore two specific opportunities. First, we will
work to understand the viability of creating an energy-focused innovation campus in
Dinwiddie County, located in close proximity to the Dominion Energy Locks Campus and
other nearby energy-related assets. Second, we will explore possibilities of siting a pilot
project for clean hydrogen/electricity production on the property as a tenant of the Energy
Innovation Campus. TRRC funds will be used to develop a strategic plan, perform high
level site work, understand project economics, and identify potential tracts for the pilot
project.
4312, Town of Altavista
Altavista Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project – $500,000 Grant and a
$250,000 loan from the Commission’s Lending Partnership Program, contingent on
loan approval by the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority.
The proposed Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) upgrade project in Altavista offers
significant benefits in terms of energy efficiency, environmental impact, and economic
stability. By implementing modern technology and control mechanisms, the town can
achieve substantial improvements in its wastewater treatment process. The installation of
High-Speed Turbo Blowers (HSTBs) and dissolved oxygen (DO) control equipment is
expected to reduce energy usage by 4050%. This significant reduction in energy
consumption will be achieved through:
- Precise aeration control, eliminating over-aeration of digesters and aeration basins.
- High-efficiency equipment operation, including HSTBs with magnetic bearings.
- Implementing a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system for automated
monitoring and control.
The current Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) operation does not utilize energy efficient
control mechanisms such as dissolved oxygen (DO) control. Since the existing controls
and instrumentation are no longer functioning, operations regularly over-aerate the
digesters and aeration basins to eliminate the potential to under-aerate and upset the
treatment process. The upgrade will contribute to a reduced carbon footprint through
elimination of oil usage (55 gallons per year) for blowers, more efficient treatment of high
concentration wastewater from the town’s largest employer Abbott Nutrition, and better
management of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) loading, which ranges from 450 to 750
mg/L due to industrial discharge. The normal household biochemical oxygen demand
loading on a domestic plant is normally 180 to 250 milligrams per liter of BOD loading. The
project will support the maintenance of lower treatment rates for the town’s industrial
base, help retain jobs at Abbott Nutrition, and ensure the WWTP can meet stringent federal
standards, particularly for treating Abbott’s high-concentration discharge.
4315, Central Virginia Electric Cooperative
Appomattox Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Project – $750,000 Grant and a $750,000 loan from the Commission’s Lending Partnership Program, contingent on loan approval by the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority. CVEC and Lightshift Energy (propose jointly developing a 6-megawatt advanced battery energy storage system (“BESS”) in Appomattox, Virginia that will be used to reduce peak load for CVEC and will in turn save millions of dollars over the life of the project. These savings will be directly passed through to the commercial, industrial, and residential customers of CVEC, helping ensure lower electricity costs for current and future residents as well as attract new businesses to the Tobacco Region in southern Virginia. The project will also enable workforce training for the emerging BESS industry in Virginia which has been catalyzed by the Virginia Clean Economy Act, and will provide emissions reductions benefits and reduced transmission and generation requirements for the regional grid, as well as a clean source of local power for CVEC.
EDUCATION – Advanced Mfg. Workforce Training
4301, Central Virginia Community College Educational Foundation, Inc.
CVCC Meets Workforce Demand through NC3 Training and Advanced Manufacturing
Expansion – $243,404 Grant
CVCC is Central Virginia’s leading workforce trainer, committed to expanding regional
training that increases Advanced Manufacturing educational achievement and
accommodating student needs through traditionally and non-traditionally timed
instruction. To further satisfy this commitment, CVCC has embarked on a $840,406
project ($730,389.80 of which is eligible for matching funds due to payment dates) to
expand NC3 training and Advanced Manufacturing capacity. This project will provide
classroom upgrades, purchase additional training equipment, and fund NC3 faculty
training. This will allow CVCC to increase student enrollment without decreasing hands-on
instructional time. In addition, through CVCC’s NC3 partnership, students will receive
industry-led national certifications upon program completion while earning embedded
micro-credentials throughout their training.
Workforce Training Programs
4305, The Bridge Ministry, Inc.
Heavy Equipment Operator/Technician and CDL Driver Building – $100,000 Grant
The Bridge Ministry, Inc. works in Virginia to transform the lives of troubled men and their
families by providing behavioral and mental health services, vocational skills and training,
education, and the relationships they need to bridge the gap from addiction to productive
community and family life. The funding from the Tobacco Region Revitalization
Commission will support a new heavy equipment building that will provide training to
students in heavy equipment operation and maintenance. During the construction of this
building, students will receive hands-on training and earn industry-recognized credentials
in many areas including excavation, construction, heating and air conditioning, electrical
work, roofing, plumbing, painting, carpentry work, and landscaping. Training will be
provided in partnership with Piedmont Virginia Community College.
4302, Patrick & Henry Community College Foundation
P&HCC Building Trades Expansion: Electrician Training – $129,527 Grant
P&HCC has experienced great growth in both employer demand and enrollment in building
trades programming in the last two years, and is working on planned expansions of multiple
building trades training programs. P&HCC is seeking funding to bring training to students
with barriers that prevent or make it difficult to travel to the college’s main campus. P&HCC
requests funding for equipment needed to offer expanded electrician training. This
equipment will be housed in an existing mobile trailer and will be used at P&HCC’s Patrick
County site, The Franklin Center, and to serve the Henry County Adult Detention Center, in
conjunction with classroom space at each location. Students participating in training in the
mobile lab can earn up to 11 industry recognized certifications.
4304, Southside Virginia Community College Foundation
SVCC’s Occupational Technical Center Expansion – $400,000 Grant
Southside Virginia Community College is requesting funding to expand workforce training
opportunities at the Occupational Technical Center in Blackstone, VA. The project has
received $2,664,357 from the Economic Development Administration (EDA), and if
awarded, Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission funds will serve as match, further
bolstering financial resources for this critical initiative. Key components of the project
include the purchase and construction of a prefabricated training facility at the
Occupational Technical Center Complex and the addition of 44,000 square feet of
pavement for a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training and testing course. Additionally,
the project includes funding for training tools/equipment, furniture, IT equipment, and fiber
infrastructure installation. The proposed expansion leverages existing specialized facilities,
such as a pole yard for power line training and the only diesel technician training site in the
region. This strategic initiative will ensure that students from rural areas have equal
opportunities to achieve industry-standard certifications and gain employment with
competitive pay.
4307, Southwest Virginia Community College
Automotive Technology Program Expansion to Include Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Technology – $105,142 Grant
Commission funds are requested to expand the automotive technology programs at
Southwest Virginia Community College to include hybrid and electric vehicle technology,
battery technology, and additional supporting certifications with skills aligned to clean
energy related pathways. Commission funds will be used for instructor training, marketing,
program supplies, a hybrid vehicle systems panel trainer, and an electric vehicle car kit.
4306, Virginia Highlands Community College Educational Foundation
Electrical Technology Program Modernization Initiative – $313,022 Grant
Commission funds will be used to purchase updated equipment for VHCC’s Electrical
Technology programs, which will allow the College to better align instructional resources to
current industry standards. The project will increase enrollment capacity across multiple
AAS pathways for the program, in Energy Technology and Mechatronics. The modernization
will address current capacity limitations due to outdated equipment and limited space,
resulting in a renovated and more functional learning space.
4308, Wytheville Community College
Wytheville Community College Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Program – $188,820.29 Grant
Commission funds are requested to establish a short-term Certified Clinical Medical
Assistant Program at Wytheville Community College. The grant will primarily support the
salary for a full-time faculty position ($176,264.40) during the first three program years.
Additionally, the College will purchase an EKG simulator, an EKG 12 lead, and a PCR
Analyzer needed for the program. The program will be offered at either the college’s
campus in Wytheville or at its off-site location at the Crossroads Institute in Galax.
INCENTIVES & LOANS
TRRC/VSBFA Lending Partnership City of Danville – $750,000 Loan
The City of Danville, Virginia has solicited the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission (TRRC) for a loan in the amount of $750,000. Proceeds of the loan will be used to finance the construction and installation costs of a battery energy storage system located at 900 Mount Cross Road, Danville, Virginia 24540. The city is collaborating with Lightshift Energy in developing their second batter energy storage system (BESS) and are seeking a low-cost fixed rate loan from the TRRC to drive down the costs of the project and deliver even greater savings to Danville Utilities’ customers. The BESS project, like the first, will be used to reduce peak system demand for Danville Utilities and reduce their wholesale power costs.
Town of Richlands – $2,000,000 Loan
The Town of Richlands, Virginia has applied with the Tobacco Revitalization Region Commission (TRRC) for an Economic Development Loan (EDLF) in the amount of $2.0MM. The EDLF Program is underwritten and administered through the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority (VSBFA). Proceeds will be used as part of a $14.0MM initiative to install a 5-Megawatt Solar Mercury 50 natural gas-fired rubine and generator, which will facilitate the Town’s century-long history of providing electricity to its citizens.
Grayson Loan – $200,000 Loan
This loan will support a private agricultural enterprise in the County with repairs and improvements to their operation.
SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA PROGRAM – AGRIBUSINESS
4293, Appalachian Sustainable Development
ASD Agricultural Campus Phase I: Food Hub Expansion – $610,000 Grant
Commission funds are requested to assist with site preparation for the ASD Agricultural
Campus currently under development in Bristol. The request will also support the
construction of a new, 8,000 sq ft food hub facility which will serve as an additional node
on ASD’s distribution network.
4294, Lee County Livestock Association
Round Two: Forage Improvement Initiative for Southwest Virginia – $240,000 Grant
Commission support is requested to continue a cost-share program serving farmers in Lee,
Scott, Wise, Dickenson, Buchanan, Russell, Tazewell, Washington, Smyth, Wythe,
Grayson, Carroll, and Bland Counties. The program assists participants with the purchase
of eligible forage production equipment such as no-till drills, fertilizer spreaders, hay
wrappers, testing equipment, etc. Additionally, the application will provide reimbursement
for hay storage and permanent and temporary fencing. These programs will result in
improved forage quality and storage capability for regional producers. Cost share payments
will be limited to 33% of eligible expenses up to a maximum $5,000 payment per
participant.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
4239, Town of Pennington Gap
Pennington Gap Multi-Purpose Building Kitchen Incubator – $515,000
Commission funds are requested for 50% of the cost to construct and equip a new
commercial kitchen space located in a multipurpose facility under development within the
existing town hall building. The shared commercial kitchen space will serve as an incubator
for local food entrepreneurs and related small businesses.
Other Economic Development
4292, LENOWISCO Planning District Commission
SCTC / Verizon Wireless 5G Initiative – $405,480 Loan
Commission funds are requested for 50% of the cost of equipment required to upgrade
Scott County Telephone Cooperative owned equipment located on Verizon Wireless cell
towers. This equipment is necessary to facilitate the deployment of 5G cell service
throughout the region. The equipment is estimated to cost $810,960.
4288, Virginia Coalfield Coalition, Inc.
Buchanan/Tazewell Wireless Communication Job Growth Corridor Project -$1,401,335 Grant
Commission funds are requested to support the installation of 6 new towers on VA
Highway 460 which will provide continuous coverage from Grundy to Cedar Bluff. There are
currently large sections that do not have service. Commission funds will be used to close a
funding gap created as a result of required changes in project scope as well as the
increased cost of materials.
SITES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
4295, Lee County
Western Lee Sewer Phase I-A – $1,000,000 Grant
Commission funds are requested to support the construction of a new 0.3 MGD
wastewater treatment plant and to install 171,000 LF (32.4 miles) of new gravity and force
main sewer lines in Western Lee County. This project will provide public wastewater service
in a 20-mile economic development corridor; this includes the nation’s largest vet school,
17 30+ acre parcels adjacent to US 58, and over 2,000 acres of potential industrial,
agricultural, commercial, residential, and mixed-use developable lands.
4297, Smyth County Economic Development Authority
Groseclose Sewer/General Shale Infrastructure Improvements Design -$257,450.00 Grant
Commission funds are requested to support 50% of the cost associated with engineering
and design services for a sewer line extension to serve the former General Shale site and
the adjacent Route 11/I-81 Exit 54 interchange area. Funds would be used to fund
preparation of plans and specifications and securing regulatory permits needed prior to
construction of the sewer improvements.
Tourism
4290, Town of Abingdon
Abingdon Cultural Heritage Tourism Strategic Plan: Abingdon’s History is America’s
History – $30,000 Grant
Commission funds are requested for contractual expenses associated with development
of the Abingdon Cultural Heritage Tourism Strategic Plan. This plan will address historical
sites in Abingdon that have influenced local and national history but are currently
underutilized. The plan will prioritize necessary repairs, upgrades, and long-term
stewardship for these structures.
4299, Tazewell County – Tourism Department
Northwestern District Campground – $25,000 Grant
Commission funds are requested to support a feasibility study that will assess potential
locations for a new, County owned, campground. The Northwestern District Campground
Site Selection Feasibility Study will evaluate site viability based on factors such as
accessibility, environmental impact, and infrastructure needs. The estimated total cost of
the study is $50,000 with this amount to be split evenly between TRRC and matching funds.
4289, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
Cumberland Outdoor Access Legacy – $500,000 Grant
Commission funds are requested to help secure a public access easement in Buchanan,
Dickenson, Russell and Wise Counties. This will be the largest open space conservation
easement ever recorded in Virginia. Cumberland Forest Limited Partnership (CFLP) owns
more than 150,000 acres and offered DWR a public access easement across all this
acreage. The DWR identified about one third of this surface estate as high priority. These
parcels offer a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities including hunting, fishing,
wildlife viewing, boating (paddling), hiking and trail riding.
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