Go Virginia board approves multiple site, workforce and startup grants, defers large life-sciences training application

The Go Virginia State Board voted Nov. 20 to approve a package of per-capita, site-development and talent-planning grants and to defer one large life-sciences workforce proposal so staff can work with the applicant to refine goals and match commitments.

Sarah Dunnigan, deputy director of support at the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), summarized the review process and presented staff recommendations for multiple applications. "Regional collaboration is really the foundation of Go Virginia," Dunnigan said, describing the board’s rubric emphasizing regional collaboration, economic impact, project readiness and sustainability.

Key board actions during the meeting included approval of several projects funded by per-capita allocations, and approval of two site-development due-diligence projects. The board also voted to defer a $2.8 million request for an AI-and-business-skills training program aimed at life-sciences workers so staff could work with Region 7 to tighten outcomes and match documentation.

The board approved these projects (selected highlights): Bay Consortium workforce toolkit (Region 6), recommended for approval by…