Grants encourage regional economic collaboration

Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced $200,000 in funding for five collaborative efforts in Virginia through the Building Collaborative Communities (BCC) program. The program promotes regional economic collaboration in economically-distressed areas to stimulate job creation, economic development and provide a significant return on state investment.

"The Building Collaborative Communities program facilitates successful regional partnerships that generate prosperity across our Commonwealth," said Governor McAuliffe. "Regional collaboration is critical as we work to build a new Virginia economy, and we continue to see the impact it has in bringing businesses and jobs to communities throughout the Commonwealth.”

While announcing the grant in Rapidan, Virginia, First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe said, “The Piedmont area recognizes the importance of regional food systems to healthy and economically vibrant communities, and through the Building Collaborative Communities grant, the Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Commission will further advance and support regional agri-business initiatives.”

“We know that growing the new Virginia economy requires teamwork among our communities throughout the Commonwealth,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones. “Through the BCC program, we are supporting projects that make Virginia a great place to live, visit and do business.”

Selected projects will focus on and facilitate significant involvement from the private sector, economic development agencies, community organizations, educational institutions, nonprofits, local leaders and governmental officials. The Commonwealth is providing $200,000 to support this program in FY2015.

The following projects were awarded funding through the Building Collaborative Communities program: