What it takes to reenergize Southwest Virginia

Economic development in Southwest Virginia could get a long overdue jumpstart with the suggestions Virginia Energy outlined in its Reenergize Southwest Final Report. The report, which was released in December 2021, makes recommendations for the General Assembly to support the economic transition in the coalfields after eliminating the state’s coal tax credits in 2021.

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Major grant awarded for Appalachian Voices’ jobs, economic project in Southwest Virginia

The GO Virginia State Board has approved a Per Capita application for the Appalachian Voices “Energy Storage and Electrification Manufacturing Jobs” project. Approved at $486,366, the project will create jobs in GO Virginia Region One in the energy storage and electrification manufacturing field while attracting investments and expanding the local tax base. CONTACT: Kalen Hunter,…

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Va. coalfield groups one step closer to state grant for innovative battery and electric manufacturing proposal

An innovative economic development proposal heads to the GO Virginia State Board for final approval at its March meeting after the Region One Council approved the proposal last week. The implementation grant proposal focuses on creating jobs and attracting investments in the battery and electrification manufacturing sectors in Southwest Virginia. CONTACT: Adam Wells, Appalachian Voices:…

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Solar Workgroup of Southwest Va hosts info session for businesses, nonprofits and government

CONTACT: Chelsea Barnes, New Economy Program Manager chelsea@appvoices.org 276-207-9636 Norton, VA — The Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia will host a virtual information session on September 30 at 10:30am for non-residential building owners interested in pursuing cost-effective solar projects. The event is part of the workgroup’s recently announced Securing Solar For Southwest Virginia program, which…

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Southwest Virginia seeks partners for solar development

people by solar panel

CONTACT: Adam Wells, Regional Director of Community and Economic Development, adam@appvoices.org, 276-679-1691 Norton, VA — The Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia today released a Request for Information (RFI) for a “co-development concept” for commercial-scale solar projects throughout the seven-county coalfield region. The workgroup seeks to enter into an agreement to collaboratively identify, design and develop…

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Southwest Virginia communities first in Central Appalachia to achieve national recognition for advancing solar energy

Saint Paul, VA, July 25, 2019 – Eight Southwest Virginia communities have achieved designation under the national SolSmart program for encouraging the growth of local solar energy markets, at a time when several major solar installations on schools, businesses, and community centers are poised to begin across the region. CONTACTS: Avery Palmer, The Solar Foundation,…

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