The Office of the Governor of the State of Virginia

08/28/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/28/2026 08:12

Governor Spanberger Announces $7.3 Million Investment to Promote Economic & Community Development in Southwest Virginia

For Immediate Release: August 28, 2026
Office of the Governor Contact: [email protected]

Virginia Department of Energy Contact: Fred Baker, [email protected]

Governor Spanberger Announces $7.3 Million Investment to Promote Economic & Community Development in Southwest Virginia

RICHMOND, VA - Governor Abigail Spanberger today announced $7.3 million in strategic investments through the Virginia Energy Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program. The five awards will advance economic and community development in coal-impacted communities in Southwest Virginia through investments in job creation, healthcare, emergency services, transportation infrastructure, and improvements at UVA Wise.

"My Administration is laser-focused on creating good-paying jobs and expanding economic opportunity across Southwest Virginia and our entire Commonwealth," said Governor Abigail Spanberger. "These new investments will help connect Virginians with steady careers, expand access to essential health and emergency services, improve transportation connections, and put formerly mined land to productive use. By supporting projects that meet local needs and build on regional strengths, we are helping make sure that Southwest Virginia continues to grow and thrive."

The AMLER Program helps coal-impacted communities turn former mine lands and related assets into productive opportunities that support new businesses, infrastructure, recreation, tourism, workforce development, and long-term economic growth. The competitive 2025 funding round drew 16 applications from 14 organizations seeking more than $39.3 million. The awards announced today will obligate 91.5 percent of the $7.9 million available for the program.

"AMLER is a powerful tool for helping coal-impacted communities transform and innovate," said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery. "From converting legacy coal waste into a lower-carbon material for concrete to strengthening public safety, health care, and regional infrastructure, these projects will deliver practical, lasting benefits for Southwest Virginia residents and businesses."

"Southwest Virginia deserves investments that create jobs, strengthen public services, and support the communities that have powered our Commonwealth and nation for generations," said U.S. Representative Morgan Griffith. "These AMLER awards will help communities across the region advance projects that improve quality of life and create a stronger foundation for future economic development."

Awardees are:

Organization

Project Name

Project Description

Award

Russell County IDA

Project Franklin

The project will convert 88 million tons of legacy coal waste on a reclaimed former mine site in Russell County into a high-value, low-carbon pozzolan product used in green concrete manufacturing. The project is expected to add up to 95 jobs over five years.

$2,500,000

Buchanan County IDA

Corridor Q / Rt 460 / CFX Paving Project

The project will support design, construction, and oversight to expand Route 460 Connector Phase II within Corridor Q from two lanes with truck-climbing lanes to a four-lane highway.

$1,600,000

Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia

UVA Wise Parking Lot Expansion

The project will demolish and repave approximately 2.1 acres of deteriorated parking area, add 31 parking spaces, construct about 560 linear feet of sidewalk, and complete related drainage improvements. The expansion will support access to UVA Wise facilities that host academic, athletic, cultural, and community events.

$1,500,000

Russell County IDA

East Main Rural Health Clinic

Funding will support the purchase of property and improvements to an existing building in Lebanon for use as an urgent care and primary care clinic.

$1,450,000

Town of St. Paul, VA

Regional Emergency Services and Training Facility

Funding will support construction of a facility to house the Town's Fire Department and Police Department and provide dedicated space for future emergency medical services.

$250,000

TOTAL:

$7,300,000

The AMLER Program is supported through federal Abandoned Mine Land funding and is designed to support economic and community development in conjunction with mine-land reclamation priorities. Eligible projects are competitively evaluated based on factors including economic outcomes, job creation, community improvement, long-term viability, partnerships, funding sources, feasibility, and immediacy of impact.

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The Office of the Governor of the State of Virginia published this content on August 28, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on August 28, 2026 at 14:12 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]