Governor Spanberger Announces $7.2 Million Grant to Expand High-Quality Childcare in Southwest & Southside Virginia

RICHMOND, VA - Governor Abigail Spanberger today celebrated a $7.2 million federal disaster-recovery grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to expand high-quality childcare in communities across Southwest and Southside Virginia.

The grant will increase childcare capacity, strengthen workforce participation, and support economic development in the City of Danville, Pittsylvania County, Tazewell County, and Washington County. EO Companies - the Virginia Department of Education's designated regional early childhood partner for Ready Region Southwest - will implement the new projects. The projects are expected to create more than 55 new jobs while expanding access to care for nearly 450 children.

"Our future depends on our ability to support working families and prepare the next generation for success," said Governor Abigail Spanberger. "These investments will expand access to high-quality childcare in communities experiencing both workforce growth and childcare shortages - particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. I am grateful to EO Companies and our local partners for their commitment to ensuring these investments are used as effectively as possible to meet the needs of families. Together, we will strengthen Virginia's economy, support parents, and create new opportunities for childcare across the Commonwealth."

Virginia applied for and received the federal disaster-recovery grant through the American Relief Act - which Governor Spanberger voted to pass while serving as a Member of Congress following Hurricane Helene. Collectively, the projects represent an approximately $18 million investment, with $7.2 million coming from the HHS grant and the remainder generated through local partnerships.

"Strong childcare systems are essential to educational success, workforce participation, and economic prosperity," said Secretary of Education Jeffery Smith. "This investment will help ensure more Virginia families have access to safe, affordable, and high-quality care while creating new opportunities for children to learn, grow, and thrive. We are proud to partner with EO Companies and local communities to advance this important work."

"Dependable childcare gives parents the ability to work while providing kids with the head start they deserve," said U.S. Senator Mark Warner. "I'm thrilled to help deliver these federal dollars to communities across Southwest and Southside Virginia. This investment will expand access to safe, high-quality childcare - extending a helping hand to families, strengthening our workforce, and supporting our communities."

"Throughout the Commonwealth, access to quality, affordable childcare is instrumental to so many families' prosperity and stability," said U.S. Senator Tim Kaine. "This investment in Southside and Southwest Virginia will improve access to childcare, especially in areas still recovering from Hurricane Helene. I am proud to have championed the American Relief Act that helped make this investment possible. I will always fight for policies that increase access to childcare, support working families, and help communities recover from disasters."

"Community access to childcare programming, services, and investment represents the latest disaster relief resources coming to Virginia's Ninth District. Through federal funding that I supported, a new childcare center in Tazewell County and an expansion of facilities in Washington County provide rural communities with this access," said U.S. Representative Morgan Griffith. "I will continue to advocate for our region and work with Governor Spanberger to promote our region's recovery from Hurricane Helene."

"Childcare is workforce infrastructure, and for rural communities like ours, it is essential to our ability to grow and compete," said Senator Todd Pillion. "When working parents cannot find dependable, high-quality care, employers feel it, families feel it, and our communities lose opportunities for growth. This investment in Washington and Tazewell counties will create lasting capacity, support working families, and strengthen our ability to attract and retain both employers and talent. I am proud to see Southwest Virginia leading through a strong public-private partnership that can serve as a model for communities across the Commonwealth."

Access to the type of childcare these projects will provide aligns with EO's core mission of supporting and developing education, workforce, and economic development initiatives that make communities stronger.

"Access to affordable, high-quality childcare remains one of the most pressing workforce and economic development challenges facing communities across Virginia," said Travis Staton, President and CEO of EO Companies. "This historic investment demonstrates what is possible when federal, state, local, philanthropic, and community partners come together around a common goal. These projects will not only expand access to early childhood education and out-of-school programming, but they will also strengthen local economies, support working families, and help communities remain competitive in attracting and retaining talent."

The three projects supported by this investment are tailored to the needs of each community:

City of Danville/Pittsylvania County Regional Childcare Center: $2.7 million grant to construct a new approximately 20,000-square-foot childcare facility serving the City of Danville and Pittsylvania County. The project represents an estimated $8.3 million investment, combining federal grant resources with additional investments from regional stakeholders and partners. The center is expected to create approximately 30 new jobs and will have licensed capacity to serve approximately 200 children.

Tazewell County Childcare Center: $2.5 million grant to construct a new approximately 10,000-square-foot childcare center in Tazewell County. The project represents a total investment of approximately $5.8 million and will create an estimated 25 new jobs. Upon completion, the center will have licensed capacity to serve approximately 148 children. Project partners and investors include EO, VDOE, Tazewell County, and the Thompson Charitable Foundation.

Washington County Expansion: $615,000 for the expansion of EO's Regional Workforce and Child Development Hub in Washington County. The expansion will add new outdoor recreational space and interior classroom facilities to establish a comprehensive after-school and summer enrichment program serving children ages 5 to 12. The program will have licensed capacity to serve approximately 100 students, providing critical after-school care, summer programming, and workforce support services for working families throughout the region.

Project Coordination and Workforce Development: $1.2 million will support project coordination and workforce development across the three childcare projects. Funding will help recruit, train, and prepare the workforce needed to staff the new and expanded childcare centers.