Board approves Homeworks training and modular housing project for Southwest Virginia
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Summary
After public comment and board debate, the Go Virginia State Board approved the Appalachian Highlands Homeworks talent development project — a 30,000 sq ft modular construction training facility planned to deliver NCCER modular housing credentials and to support a regional production facility; staff had recommended deferral over sequencing and readiness concerns.
The Go Virginia State Board voted to approve the Homeworks talent development project submitted by the Appalachian Highlands Housing Partnership, a per‑capita Region 1 application that proposes a 30,000‑square‑foot training facility adjacent to a planned production plant for precision‑built/modular housing.
DHCD staff had recommended deferral for the project, citing sequencing and readiness concerns: the production facility that would employ many graduates is not yet developed and some dual‑enrollment and partner commitments were not fully specified. Staff also noted the need for a clear capital stack for both the training facility and the production plant.
Public comment backed the project’s workforce and housing goals. Industry and education speakers said the initiative would build local capacity for construction trades and deliver a reliable pipeline of skilled workers: Steve Jones, executive vice president of VFP, said the project ‘‘provides training for additional skilled labor for our region and provides precision built homes at an affordable price’’ and noted his company’s recent $35 million expansion and hiring plans that would demand trained workers.
Delegate Terry Kilgore moved to approve the Homeworks application rather than defer it; Jim Chang seconded. During the roll call, Reggie Agarwal announced an abstention and Speaker Scott registered a 'nay,' but the motion carried and the board approved the project. The board’s action will move the applicant into post‑award contracting and monitoring via DHCD.
What the project proposes
- A 30,000 sq ft training facility dedicated to modular/precision‑built construction, with design slated for 2026 and classrooms and labs expected by January 2027; training cohorts would begin during the 2027 calendar year. - A new NCCER modular housing credential not presently available in Southwest Virginia, and dual‑enrollment arrangements with three community colleges to deliver coursework and credentials. - Leveraging local partners and a capital stack the applicant reports in its submission (staff recorded an additional $364,000 in leveraged funds during review).
Staff follow‑up and next steps
DHCD will initiate contracting for the approved grant and has indicated two near‑term follow‑up tasks: confirm sequencing and the capital stack for both the training and production facilities, and finalize dual‑enrollment commitments and program delivery details. Those follow‑ups will be part of grant conditions and reporting requirements.
Quotes
"This project benefits the region in 2 ways, providing training for additional skilled labor for our region and providing precision built homes at an affordable price," said Steve Jones, executive vice president of VFP, during public comment.
"We would be honored to have Go Virginia as a partner in this work," the project presenter told the board.
Why this matters
The Homeworks project links workforce training to local manufacturing capacity and to affordable‑housing production in Southwest Virginia. Approval unlocks Go Virginia funds and requires post‑award conditions to address readiness and sequencing concerns that staff raised. If the production facility and enrollment partnerships are implemented as planned, the project could create a pipeline of credentialed workers aligned with regional industry demand.
Provenance
Topic first introduced in the record during the applicant presentation (SEG 001) and revisited in discussion and the final vote (SEG 1768–SEG 1779).
