Governor Spanberger Announces More Than $6.2 Million in Regional Investments to Strengthen Key Industries & Create New Jobs

RICHMOND, VA - Governor Abigail Spanberger today announced more than $6.2 million in Growth and Opportunity for Virginia (GO Virginia) grants to support four strategic projects that advance critical industries, strengthen regional collaboration, and expand economic opportunity for Virginians.

These initiatives leverage nearly $23 million in additional match and private capital support - reflecting strong commitments from local governments, educational partners, and employers to build a resilient, future-ready economy.

"My Administration is committed to supporting and strengthening the industries that power economic growth in local communities across our Commonwealth," said Governor Abigail Spanberger. "These strategic investments reflect that focus: fostering innovation and building durable pathways to good jobs that support long-term economic security for Virginia families."

The latest round of projects includes investments in technological readiness, expanded accelerator programming, strengthened workforce development, modernized lab equipment, and increased lab capacity.

"These projects reflect the hard work and shared vision of local leaders, employers, educators, and innovators," said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery. "When we invest in capacity building for key industries - from quantum technology to agriculture, from manufacturing to IT - we invest in long-term economic growth across Virginia's diverse regions."

The awarded projects align with a comprehensive, industry-aligned strategy to capitalize on regional strengths, address unique challenges, and fill funding gaps for community-identified priorities. These initiatives tap into Virginia's deep bench of skilled workers while also providing the specialized training and talent development needed to step into high-growth industries and grow local economies.

"These investments reflect exactly what GO Virginia was created to do - bring regions together, strengthen the industries that define our economic future, and create career opportunities for Virginians," said Emily O'Quinn, GO Virginia Board Chair. "Across the Commonwealth, we're seeing communities step forward with thoughtful, targeted plans that grow local businesses, expand cutting edge industries, and build long-term resiliency. The GO Virginia Board is proud to support the partners and innovators driving this work."

Since its inception in 2017, GO Virginia has strengthened regional economies through strategic collaboration across 131 localities. The program's capacity-building investments have supported the creation of 27,000 jobs, created industry-aligned training opportunities for 58,000 individuals, served more than 27,000 businesses, and helped firms access more than $700 million in capital for business expansion.

The following approved projects are organized by investment strategy and illustrate how GO Virginia strengthens regional economic competitiveness.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION

RISE Phase III: AI Ready Entrepreneurial Ecosystem | $400,000

GO VA Region 3 - Southside Virginia: Counties of Amelia, Brunswick, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Franklin, Halifax, Henry, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Patrick, Pittsylvania, and Prince Edward and cities of Danville and Martinsville.

This project strengthens entrepreneurial capacity across advanced manufacturing, emerging technologies and agriculture by helping businesses identify AI opportunities, implement AI-enabled innovations and commercialize new products. RISE Phase III delivers business navigation, AI assessments, technical assistance and commercialization support across 15 localities.

Growth Alliance Initiative | $531,440

GO VA Region 6 - Fredericksburg, Middle Peninsula, Northern Neck: Counties of King George, Spotsylvania, Stafford, and Westmoreland and the city of Fredericksburg.

Focused on IT, professional and technical services, and agriculture, this 2-year effort expands accelerator programming, startup support, commercialization pathways, and regional networking. The initiative includes Pre Accelerator cohorts, full Accelerator programs, Tech Night events and partnerships with Virginia's Innovation Crossroads Alliance and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division.

TALENT DEVELOPMENT & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Advancing Maritime Career Pathways | $1,200,000

GO Virginia Region 5 (Hampton Roads) - Counties of Isle of Wight, James City, Northampton, Southampton, and York and cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg.

This project strengthens talent pipelines in advanced manufacturing, ship repair and shipbuilding, port operations, logistics and warehousing, and energy security. It expands the Hampton Roads Maritime Training System into a lifelong career model supporting entry-level recruitment, upskilling, reskilling, and advancement into higher-wage maritime careers.

Virginia Quantum Hub | $3,684,912

GO VA Region 7 - Northern Virginia: Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William and the city of Fairfax.

Centered on emerging technologies, the Virginia Quantum Hub creates a four tier quantum workforce pipeline, shared regional infrastructure and a governance model to align industry and academic priorities. This investment addresses significant regional demand - more than 1,100 open quantum jobs - and strengthens Northern Virginia's competitive positioning in quantum computing.

GO2 Work in Manufacturing Expansion | $332,900

GO VA Region 8 - Shenandoah Valley: County of Augusta and cities of Staunton and Waynesboro.

This project expands training capacity in light manufacturing, including industrial maintenance, precision machining, automation, robotics and computer numerical control machining. Funding supports modernized equipment and upgraded lab capacity aligned with employer needs. The initiative will strengthen the manufacturing workforce across the Shenandoah Valley and neighboring rural communities.

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About GO Virginia

GO Virginia is a statewide economic development initiative focused on strengthening and diversifying regional economies across the Commonwealth. Through collaborative investments that support high-growth industries, GO Virginia supports projects that create good-paying jobs, build resilient talent pipelines and expand opportunities for Virginia workers and businesses. By encouraging regions to work together around shared economic priorities, GO Virginia helps communities secure long-term growth and remain competitive in a rapidly changing economy.

Learn more at www.dhcd.virginia.gov/gova.

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