The Danville-based GO TEC program, which is intended to build interest in manufacturing careers among students, especially middle-school students, has received state funding to build seven new labs across Southwest and Southside Virginia.
The state’s GO Virginia economic development board has approved $491,196 in funding for United Way of Southwest Virginia to add five new Careers Connection labs, one each in Bland, Smyth, Tazewell, Wythe and Washington counties.
The board separately approved $489,381 to add two new Career Connections labs in Henry and Brunswick counties that will focus on advanced manufacturing and IT modules. This project will also add equipment used for currently taught modules in 16 middle schools with existing career exploration labs, as well as a ninth- and 10th-grade pilot program in Henry County that would bridge the gap between the current middle school GO TEC programming and career and technical education, according to a news release from the governor’s office.
The GO TEC program, which stands for Great Opportunities in Technology and Engineering Careers, started at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in Danville and now extends across the southern tier of the state from Hampton Roads to Southwest Virginia.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin also announced that the GO Virginia board had approved funding for other projects across the state intended to develop more robust talent pipelines, which has been a major focus in economic development over the past few years.
Here is how the governor’s office described the other projects that were approved for funding:
Progress Park Lot 10 | $425,876
Region 1: Bland and Wythe counties
The Joint Industrial Development Authority of Wythe County will increase site readiness of Lot 10 in the Progress Park industrial park. The project is expected to create long-term benefits in industries such as advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies.
Educating Engineers for the Region 2 Workforce | $367,000
Region 2: Amherst and Nelson counties, city of Lynchburg
Randolph College, in partnership with local colleges, school systems and employers, seeks to expand a qualified workforce in the multidisciplinary engineering program in mechatronics and robotics. The program will include dual-enrollment opportunities for area high school students in partnership with Central Virginia Community College and will require paid internships for students going through the program once at Randolph.
Shenandoah Valley Workforce Development Board TPI | $250,000
Region 8: Augusta, Bath, Clarke, Highland, Page, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Shenandoah and Warren counties, the cities of Buena Vista, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Waynesboro and Winchester
The Shenandoah Valley Workforce Development Board will determine gaps and opportunities to expand the workforce in the manufacturing and the transportation and logistics industry clusters. In partnership with WorkED, the board will create a comprehensive talent pathways plan to serve as a roadmap for future workforce development projects.
Developing IT and Cybersecurity Certification Pipeline to Advance Cluster Growth | $202,872
Region 2: Montgomery and Pulaski counties, city of Radford
Radford University, in partnership with Commonwealth Cybersecurity Initiative Southwest Virginia, seeks to increase the number of certifications earned in the information technology field by establishing a Pearson Virtual University Enterprises testing lab and marketing the need for certifications to college students and regional employers. This project will also connect certified students to regional businesses through internships and career fairs.
Administrative approvals: Planning grants
MRRP Site Selection Identification and Evaluation, 2024 | $100,000
Region 1: Bland, Carroll, Grayson, Smyth and Wythe counties, city of Galax
The Mount Rogers Regional Partnership, in partnership with participating localities, seeks to increase the inventory of shovel-ready sites in Region 1 by hiring a consultant team to collect site date, conduct GIS analysis and conduct fieldwork to identify 20 to 30 sites of at least 50 to 100 acres that may be ripe for future development. The sites will then be further studied to determine the 10 sites best suited for future development.
Wildwood Commerce Park Site 1 Due Diligence | $100,000
Region 1: Carroll and Grayson counties, city of Galax
The Blue Ridge Crossroads Economic Development Authority will complete initial due diligence reports and assessments for Wildwood Commerce Park Site to help increase shovel-ready sites in the region. The site, which is 105 total acres with 50 developable acres, is anticipated to be eligible for future economic activity.
GMP Clean | $100,000
Region 2: Montgomery County, city of Roanoke
Montgomery County and the city of Roanoke will partner to identify and implement a pilot cleanroom space, which will be used to test and promote a state-of-the-art modular cleanroom model. The project encourages the growth of the life sciences and biotechnology industry clusters within Region 2.
Workforce Development Plan for Western Tidewater Mechatronics Program | $100,000
Region 5: Isle of Wight and Southampton counties, cities of Franklin and Suffolk
Paul D. Camp Community College will explore needs and opportunities for mechatronics training through a planning phase project for employer engagement and development of additional mechatronics career and technical education programming. This planning phase would involve working with employers regarding skill needs and gaps, as well as strategies for meeting those needs.
Career Investigations: Pathways to Your Future | $100,000
Region 7: Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun counties, cities of Alexandria, Manassas and Manassas Park
Alexandria City Public Schools will work with middle school students on computer science, life science, emerging technologies, financial services and the health science industries with the development of a nine-week readiness and exploration curriculum. The curriculum will include real-world examples, hands-on activities, interactive lessons and a module that will help students develop their personalized academic and career plans.
Future Kings Life Sciences Workforce Development Pilot Program | $100,000
Region 7: Loudoun and Prince William counties, city of Manassas
Future Kings seeks to accelerate entry-level job readiness for emerging biomedical job opportunities in life sciences for underserved Black and Latino populations by increasing the pool of interested students in the K-12 system, and to create a pipeline of secondary students. This project will also provide two internship opportunities for graduate students and college credit opportunities for secondary students.
WiseLink Coalfield Transformation Project | $99,481
Region 1: Dickenson, Lee, Scott and Wise counties, city of Norton
Wise County seeks to increase the inventory of shovel-ready sites in Region 1 by hiring consultants to develop a preliminary transmission planning strategies report that will determine the scope of resources required to bolster the electric power grid in the region. The project is intended to result in a large capacity increase that will make land within the region more marketable to firms with high electrical needs, such as data centers.
Greater Richmond Cluster Analysis | $87,500
Region 4: Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico counties, city of Richmond
The Greater Richmond Partnership will analyze the Richmond subregion and make recommendations on strategies for growing clusters specific to the area. The research and strategies generated by this plan will also be leveraged by PlanRVA as it begins to generate a comprehensive economic development strategy for the region.
SciTech Innovation District Planning Grant | $75,000
Region 7: Loudoun County and the city of Manassas
The economic development offices of Prince William County and the city of Manassas will bring together public and private stakeholders to the table to develop an innovation district (also known as a research park). This work is intended to support existing and new high-growth technology companies, stimulate higher paying jobs and attract investment in the area.
Winchester Airport Advanced Air Mobility Pipeline Study | $71,000
Region 8: Clarke, Frederick, Shenandoah and Warren counties, city of Winchester
The Winchester Regional Airport Authority will perform a market analysis, develop a talent pipeline playbook and conduct an analysis of available land to define a pathway for launching and accelerating the emerging advanced air mobility industry cluster. Funding will support a market feasibility study and the development of an advanced air mobility workforce playbook.
Career Pathway Development Initiatives for the Lynchburg Region | $40,500
Region 2: Amherst, Bedford and Campbell counties, the towns of Amherst and Appomattox, and the city of Lynchburg
The Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance seeks to increase the pool of qualified workers in the materials and machinery manufacturing targeted industry sector through an analysis to determine which skills aren’t being taught in the Lynchburg area that would benefit employers. The LRBA will hold employer-school leadership roundtables to discuss workforce needs and educational offerings.
UAS BVLOS Key Site Initiative | $35,392
Region 5: Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk and Virginia Beach
This study will identify a location for unmanned systems testing and training, allowing locality and industry partners to equip the site and develop workforce training curriculum.
ASD Agricultural Campus Site Planning | $25,000
Region 1: Carroll, Lee, Tazewell and Washington counties, city of Bristol
Appalachian Sustainable Development will increase its capacity to provide workforce training, agricultural expertise and resources for small farmers who want to grow their market access, as well as access to capital for businesses looking to expand. This project includes developing a physical location that fosters innovation, collaboration and curriculum for early-stage and small-scale agricultural businesses in Region 1.
Amelia County Regional Commerce Center Planning Grant | $21,000
Region 3: Buckingham, Charlotte, Lunenburg, Nottoway and Prince Edward counties
The Amelia County Economic Development Authority recently acquired a 134-acre site that is not served by water, sewer or gas. This project includes a site sector suitability study to determine which of Region 3’s targeted industry clusters could be supported.