Regional ERR Applications

Regional ERR Applications

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Regional Economic Resilience and Recovery Application VT Workforce Training, COVID-19 Response Region: 2 Participating Localities: Counties of Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig, Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski, and Roanoke, and the Cities of Covington, Radford, Roanoke, and Salem Investment Strategy: Workforce Development Type of Project: Regional ERR Implementation Applicant(s): Virginia Tech Office of Vice President for Health Sciences and Technology

Project Goal(s): To increase capacity at the two newly stood up Fralin laboratories in Blacksburg and Roanoke to allow for COVID-19 testing over a one-year period and develop an internship pipeline for full time positions.

Project Description: This is a follow up request from the $100,000 Go Virginia funds Virginia Tech was recently awarded to conduct a 90-day startup-phase. Funding will 1) allow the labs to be able to test patients who are symptomatic now to help provide appropriate medical care and quarantine recommendations to patients; and 2) to begin more wide scale surveillance testing to address the needs of businesses so that they can best determine which employees can safely be re-introduced to the workforce. In partnership with Virginia Western Community College (VWCC), Virginia Tech will host internship opportunities for VWCC students currently enrolled in the Medical Licensed Technologists (MLT) associates degree program to receive a 90-day training period that will go towards internship credits. Virginia Tech is also partnering with Radford University in which students currently enrolled in the medical laboratory science (MLS) bachelors program will have an opportunity to train at the labs in supervisory roles as interns. Go Virginia funds will help support trainee stipends, personnel, training equipment, and testing supplies.

Type of Funds Totals GO Virginia Request $ 500,000 Matching Funds $ 250,000 Local Match $ 0 Total Project Budget $ 750,000

Outcomes:

• 36 internships created and trained• 36 full-time jobs created• Achieve regular testing capacity of 5,000 samples per week

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VT Workforce Training, COVID-19 Response

Workgroup Discussion: There was consensus this was a great opportunity to increase the capacity for COVID-19 testing in the region to help regional businesses reopen safely, while also providing a pipeline of talent for on the job training in the biomedical field. Workgroup feedback included:

• Excellent opportunity for the two Fralin labs to be respond to an immediate need in theregion and provide a rapid response to testing that VDH and the regional health districtslack the capacity.

• Skills learned at the Fralin labs are transferable to other healthcare and biotechnologysectors.

• Great opportunities for interns to transition to full time employment at the two labs.• Preliminary ROI is slightly negative – based on rough calculations would generate

approximately $361K in revenues back to the state.• Great partnership with Virginia Western Community College that will act as a feeder for

current students and recent graduates for internship and full-time positions

Staff Recommendations: DHCD staff recommends this application for approval.

Requirements $2:1 Match Requirement YES Traded Sector YES High-wage Job Creation Potential YES 3 Year ROI UNDETERMINED Alignment with G&D Plan YES Grant Management Capacity YES Sustainable After GOVA Funds UNDETERMINED

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Regional Economic Resilience and Recovery Application Bridge to Recovery Region: 3 Participating Localities: Counties of Amelia, Brunswick, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Greensville (Region 4), Halifax, Henry, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Prince Edward and the Cities of Danville, Emporia (Region 4), Farmville, and Martinsville Investment Strategy: Cluster Scale Up Type of Project: Regional ERR Implementation Applicant(s): Southern Virginia Regional Alliance and Virginia Growth Alliance

Project Goal(s): To provide immediate and impactful support to businesses through the multiple recovery periods of the COVID-19 pandemic, bridge supply chain needs of companies with service providers and ultimately, jumpstart the region’s economic rebound.

Project Description: Southern Virginia Regional Alliance and Virginia Growth Alliance are leading a comprehensive and collaborative approach with a coalition of economic developers, chambers of commerce and localities to provide technical assistance and subsidize support to key business sectors in order to prepare them for the multiple recovery stages of COVID-19. The project will implement continual communication and data gathering efforts between the businesses affected and the coalition in order to understand the needs and be able to deliver timely technical assistance and resources. These efforts include the creation of a collaborative interface with businesses, a COVID-19 resource webpage for businesses, weekly conference calls with localities, focus groups, social media posts and news blasts, and a series of webinars. The second component of the project is to evaluate existing preferred suppliers of services across the region and connect the appropriate services (i.e. legal, HR, marketing, business continuity, accounting, etc) to the businesses in need through a shared cost model with participating businesses. GO Virginia funds will be used for personnel including partner contractual support, fiscal administration, data analytics subscriptions, website development, business training, professional service contracts, e-commerce assistance, and marketing.

Type of Funds Totals GO Virginia Request $ 925,000 Matching Funds $ 478,250 Local Match $ 0 Additional Leverage $ 733,250 Total Project Budget $ 2,136,500

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Outcomes:

● 500 jobs retained● 100 full-time jobs created● $10 million in capital investment● Region 3 Supplier database● Creation of model best practices

Workgroup Discussion • Aligned with the goals and objectives of the Economic Resilience and Recovery

Program• Project has broad support across the region• Very comprehensive and holistic approach that addresses all impacted business

sectors• Strong project readiness with lots of prerequisite activities and convening in

immediate response to the pandemic• Strong partnership between two EDAs (Virginia Growth Alliance and Southern Virginia

Regional Alliance) serving as business intermediaries and Institute for AdvancedLearning and Research serving as fiscal agent

• 3-year ROI is not realized, however, a 5-year ROI does show as positive for new jobscreated

• Retaining 500 jobs will result in restoring $3.18 million in revenues theCommonwealth would have lost

Staff Recommendations DHCD staff recommends this project for approval.


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Administratively Approved

Economic Resilience and

Recovery – Fast Access

Applications

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Administratively Approved Economic Resilience and Recovery – Fast Access Projects

WORKFORCE TRAINING AND REGIONAL CAPACITY FOR RAPID HIGH-THROUGHPUT COVID-19 TESTING

Region: 2Participating Localities: Counties of Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig, Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski, and Roanoke, and the Cities of Covington, Radford, Roanoke, and Salem Strategy: Workforce Development Type of Project: Economic Resilience and Recovery - Fast Access Applicant(s): Virginia Tech (Office of Vice President for Health Sciences and Technology)

Project Goal(s): To support an initial 90-day start-up phase for two testing sites located in Blacksburg and Roanoke to help large numbers of people timely COVID-19 test results.

Project Description: A task force from Virginia Tech assembled to work on various aspects of the project. To date, the team has developed and finalizing validation for COVID-19 testing and stood up two Fralin laboratory facilities. GO Virginia funds will be used to support newly hired Medical Laboratory Specialists (MLS), Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLT), and student interns at both sites to help scale-up the operation; and testing supplies needed for sample analysis.

Project Budget:

Type of Funds Totals

GO Virginia Request $ 100,000

Matching Funds $ 50,000

Local Match $ 0

Total Project Budget $ 150,000

Outcomes:

1,000 analyzed test samples per day (500 at each site) 32 staff trained

Pathway to Implementation: The proposal is addressing a 90-day startup-phase so once the tests are approved by BDH and FDA (target of mid-April) and the two testing sites are operational, additional resources will be needed to help train additional workers to do the sample collections and run the assays and tests at the new facilities.

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PIVOT AND RAMP UP

Region: 2 Participating Localities: Botetourt, Montgomery, Roanoke Counties, Salem and Roanoke Cities, Roanoke EDA

Strategy: EntrepreneurshipType of Project: Economic Resilience and Recovery - Fast Access Applicant(s): Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council

Project Goal(s): To help the region sustain the momentum of accelerating growth businesses that can generate high-wage jobs, extend the benefits of the program to more companies throughout the region by being able to offer the education, mentoring and business assistance programming virtually and by providing continuing services to accelerator graduates.

Project Description: The Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council will pivot the delivery, focus, and content of existing RAMP programming to meet the changing needs of startups and entrepreneurs given social distancing requirements and the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. These three enhancements will enable RAMP to meet the current needs of the 2020 cohort, and at the same time, expand the capacity at a critical time to meet surging demand for business assistance.

Project Budget:




Local Match $ 0


Outcomes:

10-12 new businesses served 24 existing RAMP cohort businesses served (18 graduates +6 newly-selected RAMP cohort

businesses) 75 mentors served (adding 12 mentors; increase from 53) 6-8 virtual Pitch and Polish clinics

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NEW RIVER VALLEY BUSINESS CONTINUITY TEAM

Region: 2Participating Localities: Counties of Floyd, Giles, Montgomery and Pulaski; and the City of Radford Strategy: Workforce Development Type of Project: Economic Resilience and Recovery – Fast Access Applicant(s): New River Health District

Project Goal(s): To provide local employers 24/7 technical assistance to provide certification of best practices to safely reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Project Description: The Business Continuity Team (BCT) will provide access to all technical resources necessary for business owners to operate in the COVID environment by working in coordination with the New River Health District and the Virginia Department of Health to provide technical assistance from a multi-disciplinary team, on-site testing, public and employee relations and education, sanitization of their facility, and certification of best practices. The primary value-add of the BCT is a wrap-around program to help businesses quickly navigate a challenging situation that does not have extensive guidance readily available. Any testing conducted by BCT will be directed through the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute. GO Virginia funds will be used for staffing costs associated with a medical director-level role and public relations expertise, contract services for environmental cleaning at the impacted firm and nurses to conduct on-site testing, marketing, and testing kit supplies.

Project Budget:




Local Match $ 50,000


Outcomes:

Number of employers certified by the New River Health District

Number of employees tested

Pathway to Implementation: Should the program be oversubscribed by businesses eligible, a future request could be sumitted.

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OPERATION LAST MILE: CRITICAL DRONE DELIVERY TESTING

Region: 3 Participating Localities: Brunswick, Emporia, Lunenburg, MecklenburgStrategy: Cluster Scale Up Type of Project: Economic Resilience and Recovery - Fast Access Applicant(s): Virginia Growth Alliance

Project Goal(s):To develop proof of concept for the increased delivery of COVID-19 medical supplies, tests, and equipment by commercial drones and to attract commercial drone economic activity and to test capabilities of St Paul’s and its potential reuse as a drone testing facility and support a larger vision for Region’s 10 underutilized General Aviation airports. The overlying airspace located in a rural environment are a key strength and enable the FAA to allow advanced UAS testing to occur with reduced risk.. The project will also inform curriculum development for drone testing programs statewide.

Project Description: This request will support a short-term pilot project to test the efficacy of unmanned system drug and medical supply delivery in a small urban environment. DroneUp, a Virginia Beach-based company, will implement the project. Includes strong partnerships with CIT, other private sector entities including UPS.

Project Budget:




Local Match $ 0


Outcomes: Testing Outcomes and Feasibility Report: tests feasibility of delivering last mile medical

supplies to certain locations cut off due to quarantine/social distancing, includingrecommendations to Commonwealth (and the White House) about this particular type oflast mile delivery of medical supplies

Education Curriculum design that could be used for other GO VA drone projects Economic development potential report (citing Lawrenceville and surrounding Region 3

as attractive to Unmanned Systems Companies)

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FORWARDRVA

Region: 4

Participating Localities: Chesterfield County, City of Richmond, Henrico County, Hanover County, and Goochland County

Strategy: Cluster Scaleup

Type of Project: Economic Resilience and Recovery - Fast Access Applicant(s): ChamberRVA

Project Goal(s): To support small businesses with reopening and recovery phases of COVID-19 with an emphasis on employee safety and building consumer confidence.

Project Description: ChamberRVA is lead in coordinating with many regional partners to develop a resource website focused on technical assistance and reopening guidance to the region’s small businesses (25 employees or less). As part of the project (included as match), ChamberRVA is coordinating and distributing up to 5000 small business activation kits to include an initial supply of facemasks, hand sanitizer, signage communicating safety and responsible practices messaging through a variety of distribution points around the region. The purpose of this project is to promote the reopening of the region's economy as soon as possible. GO Virginia funds will be used for developing a website and content and staff capacity for providing business technical assistance.

Project Budget:




Local Match $

Additional Leverage $ 250,000


Outcomes: ● ForwardRVA Business Resources Website● 5000 small business activation kits

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DEMAND + SUPPLY = SUCCESS: VIRTUAL CONNECTIONS FOR BUSINESSES AND JOBSEEKERS

Region: 4

Participating Localities: Charles City, Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent, Powhatan, Richmond

Strategy: Workforce Development Type of Project: Economic Resilience and Recovery - Fast Access Applicant(s): Reynolds Community College Educational Foundation

Project Goal(s): To get those who are unemployed due to COVID-19 back to work and improve the connection between those job seekers and businesses who have open jobs.

Project Description: Virginia Career Works of the Capital Region and the Community College Workforce Alliance (CCWA), in partnership with Reynolds and John Tyler Community Colleges and other regional workforce partners are proposing to proactively reach out to individuals who have lost their jobs or means of earning income in the gig economy to connect them to current and future business hiring needs. The project will create an online portal that will have capability for 1- area businesses to post jobs, their training needs, and company information and 2-job seekers to find “zones” of career interests. The project is targeted to those filing for unemployment benefits and anyone who has created an account with the Virginia Workforce Connection. Regional businesses on the Workforce Development Board and the Regional Workforce Coalition will help shape this product’s development and use. GO Virginia funds will be used for contract services for website and content development, online assessment tool licenses, personnel, professional development, and indirect fees.

Project Budget:




Local Match $

Additional Leverage $ 791,063

Total Project Budget $ 1,021,663

Outcomes: ● Delivery of online portal connecting job seekers to open jobs

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IDEA FACTORY

Region: 4

Participating Localities: Henrico County, City of Richmond

Strategy: Startup Ecosystem

Type of Project: Economic Resilience and Recovery - Fast Access Applicant(s): StartupVA

Project Goal(s): To create new businesses and jobs through the support of aspiring entrepreneurs- including those who have are currently out of work due to COVID-19.

Project Description: The Idea Factory, a Startup Virginia ideation initiative, will provide aspiring entrepreneurs with the opportunity to test and refine their business idea and create a plan and identify a support system for developing a minimum viable product (MVP) to move forward from an idea to a new business. Further, as COVID-19 has caused unprecedented unemployment rates in our region, The Idea Factory initiative provides an opportunity for those who have been laid-off or lost jobs to pursue their own business idea, leading to increased new businesses and jobs in Region 4. During the 5-week program, participants will be immersed in the product discovery process, using the assets they create to break down their ideas into target markets, job-to-be-done, and problems; interview and survey potential customers; and use collected data to re-evaluate and refine their idea into a validated concept, or in some cases, to quickly understand why their idea should not move forward.

GO Virginia funds will be used for the ideation programming at StartupVirginia including the one-time license fee for future use of pilot program, administration, facilitation costs and software. Matching funds will be used for scholarships for participants who qualify for financial aid due to unemployment or financial hardship, grant awards to graduating businesses who commit to spending significant time devoted to developing their businesses, and two months free membership to StartupVirginia.

Project Budget:




Local Match $

Additional Leverage $


Outcomes: ● 9 (per year?) new businesses with proof of concept funding.

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MIDDLE PENINSULA SEAFOOD & AGRICULTURE E-MARKETPLACE DEVELOPMENT

Region: 6

Participating Localities: Counties of Essex, Gloucester, Mathews, and the Town of Tappahannock

Strategy: Entrepreneurship Ecosystem

Type of Project: Economic Resilience and Recovery – Fast Access Applicant(s): Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority

Project Goal(s): To place the MPPDC/MPCBPAA in the position of both becoming a temporary

“market maker” to facilitate electronic commerce between those who want to purchase “local” and those who can sell “local”.

Project Description: In the seafood industry, a leading industry cluster in the region, seafood companies largely rely on selling their goods to distributors and restaurants. With restaurants largely shut down due to restrictions and stay at home orders, those sales are not happening. Yet, people are still eating and still want to consume seafood. The problem is the seafood companies have not set up an efficient and collective method to sell directly to consumers.

MPPDC staff will serve as the POC and conduit for with local businesses and consumers to connect as a way to ensure a local way to purchase is every present in the region and through the life of the project. MPCBPAA will serve as the public face/gateway for the online marketplace by customizing FishLine, an established mobile and web application, to address the unique economic challenges facing the Middle Peninsula.

Project Budget:




Local Match $ 0


Outcomes: Develop databases of sellers and buyers in the target MP area Customize the FishLine web application to address economic challenges in MP Digital survey to serve as basis to market and outreach to connect buyers and sellers

Pathway to Implementation: The short-term impact is to facilitate a new e-commerce market to help the commercial watermen and farmers, but the long-term impact is to retrain consumers to connect locally and to purchase locally under one common mobile-friendly e-commerce platform.

This effort also becomes a long-term and sustainable way to help the seafood and agriculture industry diversify their revenue lines and be better equipped to handle potential fluctuations in the market in the future.

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BACK TO WORK WEBSITE AND INFORMATION PROGRAM

Region: 7 Participating Localities: Alexandria City, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William Counties Strategy: Cluster Scale UpType of Project: Economic Resilience and Recovery - Fast Access Applicant(s): Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce

Project Goal(s): To develop a clearinghouse of information and resources to support businesses reopening and people returning to work.

Project Description: The Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Northern Virginia Economic Development Alliance, proposes to utilize the newly created Back to Work Leadership Task Force to create a new Back to Work Covid-19 resource website and to embed the Back to Work Covid-19 website in their outreach materials (including their own websites).

The project will also involve developing a webinar series. The content will be aligned to the needs of business in the current crisis addressing economic recovery and mitigation. The webinars will be developed by the Northern Virginia EDA Alliance and delivered over a 120-day timeline.

Project Budget:




Local Match $ 0


Outcomes:

Back to Work COVID-19 Resource Website Business Recovery and Mitigation Webinar Series

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BACK TO WORK: BACK TO INNOVATION VIDEO SERIES

Region: 7 Participating Localities: Fairfax, Alexandria, Arlington, Loudoun and Prince William counties (Economic Development Authorities) Strategy: Start-Up Ecosystem Type of Project: Economic Resilience and Recovery - Fast Access Applicant(s): Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce

Project Goal(s): The Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Fairfax County EDA, will create a three-video series for entrepreneurs under the Back to Work Covid 19: Back to Innovation brand. The videos will be available online at the Back to Work Covid-19 Resource Website and free to the public. The Chamber will work with the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, the Northern Virginia Economic Development Alliance, and GOVirginia Region 7 to identify and refine video topics.

Project Description: Create a Back to Work Covid-19: Back to Innovation video series for entrepreneurs to identify, understand, and successfully access resources that are available and intended to assist entrepreneurs with Covid-19 economic recovery. The video series will include interviews with subject area experts providing practical, actionable information, resources, tips, and advice. The videos will include links to specific forms, FAQs, points of contact and other relevant information to accessing various programs available to entrepreneurs. Through our existing relationships and network, the Chamber has access to knowledgeable content experts and established means to disseminate the content effectively and efficiently.

The Back to Innovation video series will supplement the Chamber’s Back to Work Covid-19 project, previously approved for support by GoVirginia Region 7. The target audience for the videos are entrepreneurs and small business owners, particularly entrepreneurs focused on innovation and technology. Match is provided by the Fairfax County EDA on behalf of NoVA EDA.

Project Budget:






Outcomes: ● 3 part video series on topics for entrepreneurs

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STEPS TO SAFELY REOPEN THE ECONOMY: LAUNCH OF NEW RAPID COVID-19 DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, CONTACT TRACING, AND STRESS ASSESSMENT OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA NURSES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Region: 7 Participating Localities: Fairfax and Prince William County Type of Project: Economic Resilience and Recovery - Fast Access Applicant(s): George Mason University

Project Goal(s): This proposal will lead to the development and scale-up of methods to facilitate safe return to work. Our work 1) directly expands diagnostic testing, 2) evaluates the long-term impacts of COVID-19 on frontline healthcare providers, a population at risk of PTSD, and 3) employs rapid contact tracing capabilities to encourage safe return-to-work strategies, a critical step to reopen the economy.

Project Description: This project will monitor COVID-19 infection in nurses located in Prince William, Fairfax, and surrounding counties. George Mason University nursing graduates who are employed in healthcare systems throughout Northern Virginia will be targeted for recruitment into the study. The nurses will receive kits that will include two types of tests and PCR results will be provided to the nurse in 48 hours post sample collection. Individuals with a COVID-19 positive result will be instructed to quarantine. Results from Bode Technology for virus testing and GMU antibody testing will be compared for validation.

Contact tracing using a phone app will be initiated and automated messages will be sent to other cell phones that were in proximity to the COVID-19 positive nurse during their infectious period. Instructions will be sent to exposed individuals to quarantine and monitor their symptoms and the local health department will be notified to review the data logs. Matching funds will be provided by George Mason University through in-kind donations of faculty salaries and facilities and/or administrative fees.

Project Budget:




Local Match $ 0


Outcomes: ● Enroll and test 80 local nurses● Validate GMU antibody testing process● Customize and launch American Red Cross mobile contact tracing application● Submit results and coordinate plans for scaling up the program to other occupational cohorts.

Pathway to Implementation: The applicant indicates that the testing scheme can be scaled-up and integrated into other sectors, such as education, first responders, and grocery and food service industry. These efforts will help citizens remain in the workforce and safely return to work. GMU testing should be provisionally approved by the FDA in July.

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PROJECT REBOUND

Region: 9Participating Localities: Counties of Albemarle, Culpeper, Fluvanna, Greene, and Madison; and the City of Charlottesville Strategy: Cluster Scale Up Type of Project: Economic Resilience and Recovery – Fast Access Applicant(s): Charlottesville Regional Chamber

Project Goal(s): To better understand and help address immediate regional business needs to re-open and/or rebuild capacity in the aftermath of the COVID-19 economic response.

Project Description: The Project Rebound steering committee is seeking to rapidly synthesize a large volume of innovative ideas, based on input from over 300 business and community leaders to create a living document of actionable strategies to become a shared economic recovery tool for the region, focusing on the targeted industries of biotechnology, IT, financial services, and food & beverage manufacturing. GO Virginia funds will used for consultant work and distribution of the report.

Project Budget:




Local Match $ 0


Outcomes:

Economic Recovery Tool Plan

Pathway to Implementation: Future collaborative efforts are envisioned to continue supporting entrepreneurship and creative partnerships. This effort will continue to inform stakeholders as to “who’s doing what” in order to maximize output moving forward.

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PROJECT RECONNECT

Region: 9Participating Localities: Counties of Albemarle, Culpeper, Fauquier, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, Orange, and Rappahannock; and the City of Charlottesville Strategy: Workforce Development Type of Project: Economic Resilience and Recovery – Fast Access Applicant(s): Virginia Career Works (VCW) – Piedmont

Project Goal(s): To connect dislocated workers not served by the WIOA federal program to employment opportunities with regional employers.

Project Description: This initiative will help connect and align dislocated workers from locally traded sectors i.e. retail, tourism, etc. to jobs offered in Region 9’s targeted sectors and other industries. VCW – Piedmont, through the work of a Workforce Transition Coodinator, will dovetail with recently approved Workforce Recovery Initiative project that will help develop regional target sector-based strategies, and will drive dislocated talent to Regional 9 funded projects in the workforce space that include GWC-PTEC, Central Virginia Cybersecurity, and Crafting Higher Paying Jobs and Adult Beverage Exports. The coordinator will also lead collaborations with one-stop centers to direct dislocated workers to the appropriate resources. GO Virginia funds will be used for promotion/web design, personnel, travel, and office space.

Project Budget:




Local Match $ 0


Outcomes:

Number of dislocated workers engaged?

Number of targeted sector businesses engaged?

Number of dislocated workers placed in employment?

Website launch

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CRAFTING A NEW NORMAL

Region: 9

Participating Localities: Counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, and Nelson; the City of Charlottesville

Type of Project: Economic Resilience and Recovery – Fast Access Applicant(s): Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission

Project Goal(s): To provide craft beverage sector by sector outreach and education for the consumer to help re-establish confidence for their return to buying, visiting and having events at the venues devastated by the loss of sales, visitation and event revenue. Industry staff will be trained on the quickly-changing regulations and compliance guidelines for safe service.

Project Description: The project focuses on feasible web-based industry support solutions to improve e-commerce with focus on improved reservation systems that allows for only limited outside service and adaption to Phase 2 rules, whatever they may be.

The importance of an effective digital outreach and communication strategy with an emphasis on content, graphics, training, video content creation, email communications, etc., has been increased even more since the pandemic, as businesses are unable to interact with customers in their facilities. These businesses need these tools to survive and remain compliant. The audience is the visitor, who requires assurance that the experience will be safe and pleasant.

The program is designed to create channels of information for all craft beverage businesses in the region, not just those that are membership driven. In the region there are approximately 102 wineries, 37 craft breweries, 8 cideries, and 11 distilleries. The work will not be duplicative of the industry associations.

Project Budget:






Outcomes: Creation of web-based industry support solutions Creation of training materials for industry businesses and workers

Pathway to Implementation: The implementation of e-commerce in this industry is complex due to ABC and other regulations. The industry is changing on a daily basis as new regulations continue to be released by regulatory agencies. This project will expand opportunities for businesses to succeed, giving every business more resources to secure their success.

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Regional Economic Resilience and Recovery Application New River Valley Covid-19 Business Continuity Team Region: 2 Participating Localities: Counties of Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski; and the City of Radford. Investment Strategy: Cluster Scale Up Type of Project: Implementation Applicant(s): New River Valley Regional Commission (NRVRC)

Project Goal(s): To provide employers impacted by COVID-19 with 24/7 technical assistance from the Business Continuity Team (BCT) related to public relations and messaging, facility cleaning, and certification of best practices and coordination of on-site testing.

Project Description: This is a follow up request from the $100,000 Go Virginia Economic Resilience and Recovery (ERR) Fast-Access funds NRVRC was recently awarded to conduct a 6-month startup-phase. The BCT services will be marketed by the program manager toexisting employers the Chamber of Commerce, Onward NRV, and other regional partners,working with the BCT Public Health Director, who will coordinate with impacted businessesand the New River Health District. The BCT Public Health Director and the Health District will1) complete an on-site assessment, 2) prepare a continuity plan for the business, and 3) havethe businesses implement the continuity plan. A tailored response for each impactedbusinesses will be developed, allowing each business the ability to utilize resources availablefor site cleaning, website support, human resources, and legal assistance. Go Virginia fundswill be used for BCT staffing and professional services being provided to impactedbusinesses.

Type of Funds Totals GO Virginia Request $ 250,000 Matching Funds $ 125,000

Local Match $ 125,000 Additional Leverage $ 450,000 Total Project Budget $ 825,000

Outcomes:

• 250 firms receiving marketing information of the BCT availability• 75 firms utilizing the BCT services• 25 firms receiving the certification – indicating continuity plan was executed• 300 jobs retained as a result of the BCT services offered

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New River Valley Covid-19 Business Continuity Team

Workgroup Discussion: Workgroup feedback included:

• Strong local support providing match through local CARES Act funding.• A great resource to help add capacity for businesses impacted by COVID to help retain

jobs.• GO Virginia funds will be deployed towards businesses in Region 2’s targeted industries.• Additional leverage of CDBG and U.S. EDA funds will help assist businesses outside the

targeted industries.

Staff Recommendations: DHCD staff recommends approval of this project.


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Administratively Approved Economic Resilience and Recovery – Fast Access

Applications

57

Administratively ApprovedEconomic Resilience and Recovery – Fast Access Projects

Perseverance

Region: 1Participating Localities: Counties of Bland, Carroll, Grayson, Smyth, and Wythe; and the City of Galax Strategy: Cluster Scale-Up Type of Project: Economic Resilience and Recovery – Fast Access Applicant(s): Virginia’s Industrial Advancement Alliance (VIAA)

Project Goal(s): To augment VIAA’s business retention and expansion efforts by providing capital resources for services to companies to address the negative impacts of COVID-19 on Region 1’s manufacturing sector. VIAA would provide vital business /operation and evaluation/diagnostic services to assist key sectors companies in recovery, transition, and process improvement.

Project Description: VIAA will be targeting 60-70 manufacturing companies with the goal to evaluate and provide support to 15-20 companies most in need or most at risk. This will help expedite the recovery time and mitigate future spread, increasing productivity through process improvement and possible expansion of market opportunity. By providing highly experienced consultants to evaluate and diagnose issues within the operation and how to respond to new health and safety standards, this effort will prepare these companies to persevere during the recovery process and become more operationally sound. GO Virginia funds will used for contract services to provide the evaluation and diagnostic services to manufacturing employers.

Project Budget: Type of Funds Totals GO Virginia Request $ 100,000 Matching Funds $ 52,500

Local Match $ 0 Total Project Budget $ 158,600

Outcomes: • Evaluate and provide support to 15-20 manufacturing companies

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Farmer Pipeline: Maintaining the Supply Chain by Growing Farmers

Region: 1 Participating Localities: Lee and Buchanan Counties Strategy: Cluster Scale Up Type of Project: Economic Resilience and Recovery - Fast Access Applicant(s): Appalachian Sustainable Development

Project Goal(s): The goal of this project is to support small farmers impacted by the Coronavirus by introducing a platform to facilitate wholesale logistics at the Appalachian Harvest Food Hub, launch a training platform, introduce farmer efficiency technology to streamline production processes, deploy an online marketplace to serve institutional buyers and direct-to-consumer sales and project management software.

Project Description: This is a 12-month project with match being provided by the applicant from various non-state revenue sources. This project will expand ASD’s reach in providing agricultural health and sanitation best practices and allow participants to continue operating, thus keeping people employed and productive. It will also expand mission-critical training programs to facilitate job/training program placement in partnership with existing farmers and market needs. Technical assistance will be provided to recruit, retain, and support impacted employees in local agriculture.


Local Match $ Total Project Budget $ 151,072

Outcomes: 30 farmers trained on the sales platform 60 job seekers and aspiring gardeners recruited 60 existing farmers enrolled in required certifications 80 farmers upskilled in digital agricultural trade tools

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757 RECOVERY AND RESILIENCE ACTION FRAMEWORK

Region: 5 Participating Localities: Cities of Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Virginia Beach, and the Counties of Isle of Wight and Southampton Strategy: Cluster Scale-Up Type of Project: Economic Resilience and Recovery – Fast Access Applicant(s): Hampton Roads Alliance

Project Goal(s): To develop and launch the 757Recovery Website and Business Forum to accelerate the region’s full recovery from the COVID-19 crisis in a way that makes the region stronger and more resilient.

Project Description: The 757 Recovery & Resilience Action Framework is a dynamic, innovative planning approach. It is a shared perspective and network of business leaders who are united around a set of shared goals, approach, and accountability measures for the region. It is a dynamic planning and implementation framework that, once launched, will remain active throughout the entire recovery period, aligning with all phases of a crisis like COVID-19. It is not a one-time plan or planning event, but rather a data-driven planning and implementation journey that runs through the post-recovery/new growth period.

The 757 Recovery & Resilience Action Framework will charge ten newly formed committees with three iterative tasks: 1) formulate and share information that helps restore full business operations; 2) identify the future challenges and opportunities for their respective industries; and 3) create a concise plan that will help accelerate the region’s long-term rebound.

All committee work, related minutes and reports, ongoing discussions, sharing, and outputs will be supported by 757recovery.com’s comprehensive array of on-line features and resources. This base camp will be set up in a way where each committee will become its own self-sustaining virtual community, one that will evolve and support each phase of the 757 Recovery & Resilience Action Framework.



Outcomes: • Creation of Resilience and Recovery Action Plans• Creation of a website to support the work of the committees across all phases of the

Action Framework

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WESTMORELAND WORKFORCE TRAINING CENTER EXTENSION

Region: 6 Participating Localities: Westmoreland County, Northumberland County Strategy: Workforce Development Type of Project: Economic Resilience and Recovery – Fast Access Applicant(s): Westmoreland County

Project Goal(s): To provide funding to the WWTC to allow the center to resume operations in the fall or it will not be able to remain open and training a critical workforce in the region.

Project Description: Conducted under the auspices of Rappahannock Community College Workforce Development (RCC-WD), welding training for adults is being conducted at the Westmoreland Workforce Training Center both day and evening until the onset of the pandemic in March 2020. Many of the classes were full to capacity with 12 welding students, and supplied a trained welding workforce to various industries around the Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula and Fredericksburg areas.

As a result of the pandemic, RCC-WD was required to cease offering in-person training until practices and policies could be put in place to protect the health of participants and instructors during training. This caused all sources of income to pay for the rent/lease of the building for the upcoming year to cease. RCC-WD has developed the safety protocols necessary to operate during this time and is resuming training for the paused cohorts in June. For new classes, RCC is preparing to offer training to begin in September. This project proposes to support the rent/monthly expense costs of the facility over the next year as training is recommenced, and increased to levels prior to the pandemic.


Local Match $ 18,000 Total Project Budget $ 54,000

Outcomes: • 30 welders and 15 machinists trained• 15 welders and 5 machinists hired over the next year

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TeleHealth Needs Assessment

Region: 6Participating Localities: County of King and Queen and the Town of West Point. Strategy: Cluster Scale-Up Type of Project: Economic Resilience and Recovery – Fast Access Applicant(s): King and Queen County

Project Goal(s): To complete a telehealth assessment on the potential of including a telehealth wing in the proposed King and Queen Telework Business Incubator Center that is being built.

Project Description: The study would establish a business plan for King and Queen County telehealth center/services, propose a long-term financial model/plan, determine how the center would fit into the proposed Telework-Business incubator center, and examine additional locations within King and Queen County that could potentially host a telehealth location until the Telework Incubator Center finishes construction to accelerate the timeframe in assisting businesses with their COVID-19 recovery. This effort will allow companies to be able to quickly test their employees and have them return to work quickly. GO Virginia funds will used for contract services to complete the feasibility study.



Outcomes: • King and Queen Telehealth Feasibility Study

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Pivoting Technology Businesses for the Post COVID-19 Economy

Region: 7 Participating Localities: Arlington County, Fairfax Strategy: Cluster Scale Up Type of Project: ERR- Fast Access Applicant(s): GMU, Marymount University

Project Goal(s): To pivot existing businesses models to adapt to new customer demands and market opportunities and support growth in emerging tech companies

Project Description: Building off a successful pilot program at the Tandem Product Academy by Amplifier Advisors, GMU is proposing to provide experienced insight and assistance, and hands on instruction, to allow the senior leadership of existing technology businesses to revamp and hone their business operations to grow in the post COVID 19 economy. The project includes a 20 company cohort to last four months, regular access to mentors, and each company completing business pivot plans at the end. GMU will complete a program outcomes report and make recommendations for sustaining a program moving forward.


Local Match $ Total Project Budget $ 155,250

Outcomes: • 20 companies completing program• Outcomes report

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Reopening SAW (Staunton, Augusta, Waynesboro)

Region: 8Participating Localities: County of Augusta, Cities of Staunton and Waynesboro Strategy: Cluster Scale-Up Type of Project: Economic Resilience and Recovery – Fast Access Applicant(s): Augusta County/Greater Augusta Regional Tourism

Project Goal(s): To help the region’s small businesses recover revenue lost due the economic effects of COVID-19 and provide assurance to locals and visitors that SAW is a safe and welcoming location.

Project Description: The SAW tourism offices are combining forces to implement a three-phased outreach approach that first targets locals and then visitors. Phase 1 will encourage residents to "Be a Tourist in Your Own Town,” rediscover the region, and support small business while staying local. Phase 2 will focus on what travel looks like in a post COVID-19 world, ensuring visitors and residents that the Shenandoah Valley is a safe place to enjoy and that precautions and safety measures have been established. Phase 3 will announce that the SAW region is open and welcomes visitors to return, focusing on outreach to the region’s target markets. This phase will market affordable trip ideas to families and couples to get away and enjoy our region’s many amenities. GO Virginia funds will be used to create a regional website landing page (to grow into a micro-site) and social media channels, produce educational and engagement videos, and design and launch a virtual passport program/visitor guide to reconnect customers with the business community.



Outcomes: • Regional website landing page that promotes regional businesses• Business promotion educational video series• Virtual Passport Program/Visitor Guide

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SBDC Small Business Resiliency Teams (SBRT)

Region: 8Participating Localities: Counties of Augusta, Clarke, Frederick, Rockbridge Rockingham, and Shenandoah; Cities of Harrisonburg, Waynesboro and Winchester. Strategy: Cluster Scale-Up Type of Project: Economic Resilience and Recovery – Fast Access Applicant(s): Frederick County EDA

Project Goal(s): To help the region’s small businesses mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19 in the near term, as well as prepare them for successful longer-term outcomes. This will be done by assembling Small Business Resiliency Teams (SBRT), a consortium of service providers to work directly with participating businesses to identify the most appropriate type of assistance to address their needs in implementing the recommendations for SBRT clients.

Project Description: The Small Business Resiliency Team (SBRT) program is a partnership between Harrisonburg Economic Development, Frederick County Economic Development, Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center (SV SBDC), and Lord Fairfax Small Business Development Center (LF SBDC) focused on helping local businesses navigate the best paths to recovery, expansion, and job retention and growth. This team will enable Business Resiliency Navigators to work with the small business community and assist in the specific areas of E-commerce, Finance, and Marketing.

This program will help participating businesses stay on-track and fully focused on successful growth strategies and actions by providing existing resources and skills, as well as defined focus and technical expertise, to directly assist them. Specialized support services and technical expertise are not normally part of the SBDC approach and could include accountants, bookkeepers, cybersecurity experts, website developers, e-commerce specialists and other SBDC SMEs (e.g. attorneys).

The specific needs of the business will be determined in the assessment phase by the SBDC Advisor, and each business owner will be paired with a lead Navigator. The Navigator will coordinate a personalized action plan for the client in the areas of e-commerce, marketing, and/or finance, and will follow each business owner through the entire program to ensure consistent messages and progress. The Navigator will also connect and pay the technical experts who perform the strategic steps necessary to help participating businesses survive and thrive.



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Outcomes: • Provide consultant services in e-commerce, marketing, and finance/accounting for 95

small businesses• Creation/retention of at least 100 jobs• Increased revenue/growth for majority of participants

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41




Applications

50

PHRE Mobile App

Region: 2Participating Localities: Counties of Floyd, Montgomery, and Pulaski Strategy: Startup Ecosystem Type of Project: Enhanced Capacity Building Applicant(s): Virginia Tech, Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science (ICTAS)

Project Goal(s): To develop a Public Health Readiness (PHRE) mobile application designed to help smaller organizations quickly assess and optimize their readiness to operate with minimal risk to workers, customers/patrons, and surrounding communities.

Project Description: The PHRE tool will be launched within one month of the project kick-off and refined over three additional months with oversight and input provided by a consortium of nearly a dozen small businesses, local governments, regional health officials, and community organizations. Functionality of the mobile app will include risk assessment through a survey that will determine a “Readiness Score”, providing critical feedback to regional health districts. GO Virginia funds will be used for project administration and personnel to develop the mobile app and risk framework.



Outcomes: • Development of PHRE tool mobile application• 12-20 businesses served, initially, but will expand through recruitment and engagement

with the Business Continuity Team (BCT) – will quantify businesses served using PHREmobile app intake form

• 24-40 jobs retained, initially, but will expand through recruitment and engagement withBCT - will quantify businesses served using PHRE mobile app intake form

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Capital Region SBDC Launch Region: 4 Participating Localities: City of Richmond, Town of Ashland, Chesterfield County, Henrico County, Goochland County Strategy: Cluster Scale Up Type of Project: ERR- Fast Access Applicant(s): Virginia Community Capital

Project Goal(s): To fill a gap in the Greater Richmond region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and provide key resources to small businesses to help grow and sustain their operations during the COVID-19 crisis.

Project Description: Virginia Community Capital (VCC) is seeking GO Virginia ERR funds to establish the Greater Richmond Small Business Development Center (GRVA SBDC) to serve the Greater Richmond area. VCC will be the host organization to lead and manage the GRVA SBDC. SBDC business advisors provide confidential 1-on-1 business advising and group training to small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs. SBDC advising is provided at no-charge, and since COVID-19 advising and training has been provided remotely via telephone, email and web based platforms like Zoom and WebEx. The GRVA SBDC will be equipped to provide a broad base of support to our business community and will facilitate connections to other service providers in our region. The center will help strengthen the pipeline to the entities directly involved in growing the region’s clusters as named in the EGDP.

The Virginia SBDC Network will provide VCC with $192,000 of federal funds (SBA CARESAct) to support the GRVA SBDC through September 30, 2021. The participating localities and Atlantic Union Bank have committed cash totaling $102,551. The GO Virginia ERR request is $30,500 for a total budget of $325,051. Beginning October 1, 2021 (after the SBA CARESAct funds are spent), the Virginia SBDC Network will provide $155,000 of SBA funding annually to support the GRVA SBDC. These funds will require local 1:1 match beginning October 1, 2021.

GO Virginia funds will be used to establish a new Richmond regional SBDC office and specifically will be used for personnel, equipment and supplies, professional development, and marketing.

Project Budget: Type of Funds Totals GO Virginia Request $ 30,500 Matching Funds $ 102,551 Local Match $ 92,551 Additional Leverage $ 192,000 Total Project Budget $ 325,051

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Outcomes: • Launch of SBDC Capital Region Office• Total clients counseled - 250• Long-Term clients (5+ hours of advising per year) - 63• Total counseling hours - 1250• Average hours per client - 5• New Business Starts - 50• Capital Formation - $5,000,000• Jobs Created/Retained – 150

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Virginia Virtual Maritime Trades Training (VVMTT)

Region: 5 Participating Localities: Cities of Hampton, Newport News, and Norfolk Strategy: Workforce Development Type of Project: Economic Resilience and Recovery – Fast Access Applicant(s): Virginia Ship Repair Foundation (VSRF)

Project Goal(s): To provide virtual training platforms that address the impact of COVID-19 on the region’s ability to produce qualified workers in the skilled trades that remain strong despite the pandemic.

Project Description: VSRF in partnership with Newport News Shipbuilding and the Apprentice School seeks to address the strong training demand by investing in virtual at four locations – Tidewater Community College, Thomas Nelson Community College, Paul D Camp Community College, and the Apprentice School to assist those currently unemployed and backfill the workers removed in the high-risk categories forced to take a leave of absence in the shipbuilding and ship repair industry. The addition to these virtual and simulated components to existing trades training program will address the current need by allowing greater social distancing among trainees and minimize touch points on manufacturing equipment or training mockup structures. The simulations will put students in realistic jobs settings where they can have work scenarios replicated in a safe environment without the risk of injury, damage to equipment, loss of materials, or exposure to the pandemic. It will also pay long-term benefits beyond the pandemic by creating greater efficiencies in training, reducing the cost for training materials, and making the training more mobile. GO Virginia funds will be help pay 3D simulations and touchscreen laptops, CNC machining, workbenches, and project administration.



Outcomes: • 700 – 1,000 students will complete MTT courses• 12 maritime businesses served

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REGIONAL BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL “CONNECTOR PLATFORM”

Region: 9 Participating Localities: Counties of Albemarle, Culpeper, Fauquier, Fluvanna, Madison, Nelson, Orange, and Rappahannock; the City of Charlottesville Strategy: Cluster Scale Up Type of Project: Economic Resilience and Recovery – Fast Access Applicant(s): Charlottesville Business Innovation Council (CBIC)

Project Goal(s): To use Start Up Space technology to develop a cloud-based platform (native mobile app, responsive website, utility/interaction platform as service) that will help businesses accelerate recovery from and after the pandemic. Specifically, this project will:

• increase ability to work from home by supporting virtual networking and online events;• Expand digital marketing capacity;• Support locally traded and target sector industries’ recovery by providing area wide

resources and information on COVID-19 and business services and resources; and• Help displaced workers find jobs by leveraging existing job boards in a central location.

Project Description: The Connector Platform will offer region-wide interactive search and filtering functionality to allow users to find and access regional business data, resources and services. It will include a dedicated COVID-19 information and resources page; a central business location for individuals and businesses to connect; a business referral network, a resource map, an education center; an events calendar; a job board; mentorship connections; and data insight tools. This will be a next generation platform that is not a traditional website – it is built for user engagement and interaction, and not simply for providing information to users.

The region-wide project can create virtual connectivity for the region that does not currently exist in the region. The platform can serve all target sectors (Business and Financial Services, Biotech, IT, Food and Beverage Manufacturing, Light Manufacturing), emerging industries and locally traded sectors alike. The platform will increase regional connectivity, accessibility to resources and business services that will optimize access during the uncertain “tenure” of the pandemic, and post pandemic this platform could continue to serve a role in regional economic connectivity.

This project also supports a strategy identified in the published Project Rebound Blueprint Report, partially funded by GO Virginia, for a “’web-based’ portal linking customers and businesses to up-to-date information, including services and resources, what level of ‘open’ they are, and whether they are small and/or disadvantaged businesses.”

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Project Budget:

Type of Funds Totals GO Virginia Request $ 76,500 Matching Funds $ 38,450

Local Match $ Total Project Budget $ $114,950

Outcomes: • Development of “Connector Platform” to assist businesses recovering from the

pandemic.• Outcomes tracked will include businesses served, resources shared, dashboard, and

region-wide COVID resource information page.

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36

Regional Economic Resilience and Recovery Application

Virginia Restaurant and Hotel Workforce COVID Recovery and Upskilling Program

Region: 4 Participating Localities: Chesterfield County (cash match commitment) Henrico County (cash match commitment) Hanover County (cash match commitment- additional leverage) Richmond City (cash match commitment- additional leverage) Goochland County (letter of support) Crater Planning District Commission (letter of support) Virginia Gateway Region (letter of support) Powhatan County (letter of support) Strategy: Workforce Development Industry Sectors: Hospitality- Restaurant and Lodging

Type of Project: Regional ERR Applicant(s): Virginia Restaurant, Lodging and Travel Association (VRLTA)

Project Goal(s): To support the economic recovery of the hospitality industry and to address the high levels of COVID-driven unemployment through upskilling and other training opportunities.

Project Description: VRLTA is proposing to support workforce development in the restaurant/lodging sectors in the following two ways: 1) Support and upskill un/underemployed workers with free COVID-related and skills training to help businesses succeed by ensuring employees are well trained and able to address COVID-related issues, while allowing the sectors to rebound more quickly

2) Further develop an industry-specific job board to match out-of-work employees to employers.

The GO Virginia funds will be used for training.

Project Budget: Type of Funds Totals




Leverage $ 43,000


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Virginia Restaurant and Hotel Workforce COVID Recovery and Upskilling Program Outputs and Outcomes:

700 un/underemployed restaurant and lodging workers trained

250 employees from underserved populations trained

2500 classes offered Workgroup Discussion:

● Strong locality engagement and regional cooperation ● Project is a direct response to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19 in the

hospitality sector ● Addresses critical need for Region 4, especially the greater Richmond area (6,288

unemployed restaurant workers and 3,347 unemployed hotel workers since the pandemic)

● Strong industry support from lodging and hotel representative groups ● Intentional goal to improve outcomes among and access to underserved populations ● Training modules include other non-COVID related offerings ● Duplicative of other existing hospitality-focused training programs? ● VRLTA’s industry-led approach to training delivery model supported by regional training

providers (Reynolds Community College) ● Training program plus job board component will support unemployed workers to fill

open jobs as economy rebounds ● Fast-paced delivery (training completed in 9 months) to deliver short term outcomes to

help industry bounce back faster

Staff Recommendation: Based on the workgroup discussion and application review, staff recommends this project for approval.

Requirements

$2:1 Match Requirement YES

Local Match Requirement N/A

Traded Sector or Locally-impacted non-traded sector YES

High-wage Job Creation Potential N/A

3 Year ROI N/A

Alignment with G&D Plan N/A

Grant Management Capacity YES

Sustainable After GOVA Funds N/A

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Startup Stability Program

Region: 5

Participating Localities:

City of Norfolk (letter of support)

City of Portsmouth (letter of support)

Investment Strategy: Startup Ecosystem

Targeted Industry(s): Port Operations/Logistics/Warehousing, Advanced Manufacturing,

Cybersecurity/Data Analytics/Model-Sim, Shipbuilding and Ship Repair, Water Technologies,

Unmanned Systems and Aerospace, Life Sciences

Type of Project: Regional ERR

Applicant(s): Portsmouth Development Foundation (PDF)

Project Goal(s): To provide subsidized co-working space and wraparound supportive services to

30 startup businesses.

Project Description: The Startup Stability Program (SSP) will provide co-working spaces rental assistance and mentor services at the Bloom in Portsmouth and Percolator Space in Norfolk within Region 5’s identified targeted clusters . All applicants will be vetted by a selection committee comprised of individuals from Black BRAND, Percolator, Bloom, and select members from the PDF’s Board of Directors. SSP will provide companies with the ability to obtain immediate and free office space and supportive services to increase revenue, begin gradually paying into their rent, and eventually scale into successful businesses. Key activities will include marketing and recruitment of 15 startups at Bloom and 15 startups at the Percolator, education and training provided by mentors, and rental assistance. Go Virginia funds will be used for rental assistance, education/training, outreach, and indirect costs.

Project Budget:




Local Match $ 0


Outputs and Outcomes:

Mentor 30 startup/small business entrepreneurs

Provide office space rental assistance and wraparound services

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Startup Stability Program

Workgroup Discussion:

Great opportunity to meaningfully engaged minority entrepreneurs and help assist small

businesses that have been adversely affected by the pandemic.

Provides an opportunity for startups that have traditionally faced significant barriers to

accessing capital or local business networks.

Aligned with Region 5’s targeted industry clusters.

Staff Recommendations:

Based on the workgroup discussion and application review, staff recommends this application

for approval.

Requirements




High-wage Job Creation Potential YES

3 Year ROI N/A

Alignment with G&D Plan YES



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Virginia Cyber Skills Academy

Region: 7 Participating Localities: Prince William County Economic Development (Letter of Support) Loudoun County Economic Development (Letter of Commitment – In Kind $1000) Fairfax County Economic Development (Letter of Support) Alexandria/Arlington Workforce Board (Letter of Commitment – In Kind $2400) Strategy: Workforce Development Targeted Industry: Information Technology – Cyber Security Type of Project: Regional ERR

Applicant(s): Women’s Society of Cyberjutsu

Project Goal(s): To assist COVID-impacted workers to obtain skill certifications (reskill or upskill) to enable them to move into high-demand cyber security roles.

Project Description: The Virginia Cyber Skills Academy will recruit up to 500 individuals and support 50, qualified, diverse and fiscally-impacted students to undergo a reskilling program and 20 students to undergo an upskilling program. Further, the project will assist graduates of both programs with obtaining employment with area companies. All courses and certifications will be provided online and VCSA Reskilling Academy graduates will have the opportunity to complete three Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) exams. This will include the GIAC SANS Foundations final exam and two additional industry leading GIAC certifications: (1) the GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC) and the (2) GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH). The VCSA Career Accelerator upskilling program graduates will have the opportunity to choose between advanced certifications focused in areas such as penetration testing/offensive security. GO Virginia funds will be used for training and certifications, applicant recruiting, project management and software/infrastructure.




Local Match $

Leverage $ 127,000

Total Project Budget $ 1,505,780


70 student completers (50 reskilling and 20 upskilling)

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Virginia Cyber Skills Academy Workgroup Discussion:

● Good alignment with Growth and Diversification Plan – targeted industry sector and workforce development strategy

● Outreach will be focused on those with COVID-impacted unemployment ● Adequate demonstration of unmet demand for workers with these certifications ● Project demonstrated more engagement with area workforce board and localities in the

time since this project was initially deferred

Staff Recommendation: Based on the workgroup discussion and responses from the feedback loop process, staff recommend this project for approval.

Requirements





3 Year ROI N/A




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SBDC Digital Business Resiliency

Region: 9 Participating Localities: Albemarle County (Cash, letter of support) Culpeper County (Cash, letter of support) Fluvanna County (Cash, letter of support) Louisa County (Cash, letter of support) Madison County (Cash, letter of support) Nelson County (Cash, letter of support) Orange County (Cash, letter of support) Rappahannock County (Cash, letter of support) City of Charlottesville (Cash, letter of support) Strategy: Cluster Scale Up Industry Sectors: Local Non-Traded Sectors, High Growth Companies

Type of Project: Regional ERR

Applicant(s): Central Virginia SBDC (CV SBDC)

Project Goal(s): To help existing businesses and new ventures address growth challenges and improve economic resiliency by addressing digital presence and e-commerce gaps, as well as expand the SBDC’s capacity to serve the region’s business development needs. The proposal emphasizes services to rural localities and under-resourced communities.

Project Description: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on businesses throughout Region 9. Even as the CV SBDC changed host organizations and transitioned to new leadership in April 2020, the organization had to respond to the dire needs of regional businesses brought on by the uncertainty of the economic impact of COVID-19. Since then, the CV SBDC served 390 clients, provided over 2,900 counseling hours, hosted 47 training and info sessions to over 850 attendees. This represents a 300% increase in counseling hours over 2019.

Through this work, CV SBDC has identified two critical needs for the regional business recovery that will be addressed through this grant:

1) Lack of digital and e-commerce presence: The CV SBDC routinely sees business clients without websites or with outdated, inefficient, and non-functional websites. 2) Capacity to meet demand for critical business counseling services.

This project will allow the CV SBDC to serve an additional 150 regional existing or new businesses, in addition to helping at least 90 businesses develop the digital presence or e-commerce footprint needed to thrive during the current economic challenges. Many of these businesses will be in underserved communities.

Central Virginia Small Business Development Center has expanded its service area in the last year and it closely aligns with Region 9 serving the City of Charlottesville and the Counties of Albemarle, Culpeper, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, Orange and Rappahannock.

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SBDC Digital Business Resiliency

All of these localities will have equal access to resources of the project, with intentional outreach in the entire region through Economic Development offices, Chambers of Commerce and local media.

GO Virginia funds will be used by the CV SBDC to contract with a web designer and hire one additional business advisor. Matching funds will be provided by CIC (the host of the SBDC) with strategic reserves and CARES Act funds, and a grant from Rural LISC. Project Budget:




Local Match $ 0

Leverage $ 0



Hire an additional business advisor and contract with web designer

Assist 240 businesses Workgroup Discussion:

Strong locality engagement and regional cooperation

Project is a direct response to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19 on the small non-traded business sector

Intentional goal to improve outcomes among and access to underserved populations

Project outcomes and match are not duplicative of Statewide SBDC project – received letter from Jody Keenan, VA SBDC verifying this

CIC was recently certified as CDFI, could expand the relationship with LISC and other funding opportunities

Staff Recommendation: Based on the workgroup discussion and application review, staff recommends this project for approval.

Requirements $2:1 Match Requirement YES



High-wage Job Creation Potential N/A

3 Year ROI N/A




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Applications

49

Administratively ApprovedEconomic Resilience and Recovery – Fast Access Projects

Engineering Interns + Manufacturers = Success Squared ("S2")

Region: 4

Participating Localities: Prince George (Crater PDC) and Hopewell Strategy: Cluster Scaleup

Type of Project: Economic Resilience and Recovery - Fast Access Applicant(s): VSU College of Engineering and Technology

Project Goal(s): To support manufacturers as a response to economic downturn due to COVID-19 and create internships to develop engineering and manufacturing talent pipeline.

Project Description: After R4M (previous ERR Fast Access) project fell through, VSU College of Engineering and Technology will develop along with regional economic development organizations an internship program where interns, under comprehensive university and mentor guidance could help meet needs of individual companies and at the same time fulfill our obligation of ensure university students get the hand on experience they need to round out their degrees. The project will launch a minimum of 20 internships in local advanced manufacturers and engineering companies that provide real world experience opportunities otherwise not available due to the COVID-19 crisis. To help accomplish this goal, we will strengthen partnerships with the Region’s economic development agencies. S2 will ensure all program completers have access to at least one industry interview as they approach graduation. Also, as the COVID pandemic has hit the minority population the hardest, the programs offered by the VSU College of Engineering and Technology are uniquely positioned to serve this population. GO Virginia funds will be used for stipends ($34,200) and administration ($5,000)

Project Budget:




Local Match $

Additional Leverage $


Outcomes: ● 20 internships● 10 manufacturers served

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Marine Trades Program Expansion (MTPE)

Region: 5

Participating Localities: Cities of Portsmouth and Norfolk Strategy: Workforce Development Type of Project: Economic Resilience and Recovery – Fast Access Applicant(s): Tidewater Community College (TCC)

Project Goal(s): To increase capacity and meet the current demand for TCC’s Marine Trades Training program related to the welding and marine coating training so that students can be trained within COVID-19 safety guidelines for safe social distancing. Project Description: TCC’s Marine Trades Training program will expanding their welding and marine coatings program at the TCC Skilled Trades Academy in the City of Portsmouth. Training for the welding program will be expanded by 33% (from 120 to 160 students a year) by installing 11 additional welding booths, and training for the marine coatings program will be relocated and expanded (from 96 to 180 students a year) by installing 5 new single-sided coatings modules. Although demand for training remained at pre-COVID levels, quarantine restrictions resulted resulting in having to scale back both programs. This has created a backlog in demand with current capacity and social distancing limitations. Expanding both programs at the Skilled Trades Academy will allow these two programs to expand short-term training. GO Virginia funds will be help pay for the 11 new welding booths, 5 new single-sides coatings modules, and other related equipment.




Local Match $ 0


Outcomes:

Purchase of 11 additional welding booth at Skilled Trades Academy Purchase of 5 single-sided coatings and relocation of training at the Skilled Trades

Academy 120 additional student trained in welding program within one year 96 additional students trained in marine coatings program within one year

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Local Ordering, Communication and Agricultural Logistics Initiative (LOCAL-I)

Region: 8Participating Localities: Page County; Cities of Harrisonburg and Roanoke Strategy: Cluster Scale-Up and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Type of Project: Economic Resilience and Recovery – Fast Access Applicant(s): Common Grain Alliance (CGA)

Project Goal(s): To: (i) develop a scalable and repeatable process of supporting and building cooperative relationships between farmers, other local producers, and distributors impacted by the Coronavirus by introducing a platform to facilitate supply chain logistics which enables a network of farmer-cooperatives and distributorships, (ii) introduce farmer efficiency technology to streamline food sales, cold or dry storage access, and distribution, and (iii) leverage the established web applications of Local Food Network (LFN) and Virginia Cooperative Extension’s (VCE) Market Maker and Buy Fresh Buy Local in order to provide an online marketplace to increase sales from wholesale buyers and direct consumers.

Project Description: COVID-19 has disrupted the largest private industry in the Commonwealth: the agriculture supply chain. With restaurants and educational institutions shut down or operating at partial capacity, sales have vanished. However, demand from grocery sales and other direct-to-consumers channels have been increasing since the start of the pandemic. This shift in demand is making existing industry-wide problems in local food distribution and customer acquisition more acute: (i) agricultural producers have not set up an efficient and cooperative method of acquiring new customers, and (ii) agricultural producers face distribution inefficiencies and challenges in order to deliver to new customers.

CGA will spearhead LOCAL-I and will engage 200 prospect cooperative members, enabling regional producers to utilize technology to efficiently coordinate customer acquisition efforts, shared storage and distribution, and backhauling opportunities to address the unique challenges facing the agriculture sector in Region 8.

Project Budget:




Local Match $ 2,720


Outcomes:

At least 200 producers engaged as potential farmer-cooperative members

At least 30 producers trained on the cooperative platform

At least 40 wholesale buyers and end-consumers served by the platform

At least 5 cooperatives serving producers and buyers throughout Region 8

Leverage VCE and retool Local Food Network technology to provide:

o cooperative distribution, customer acquisition, and sales technology

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46

Economic Resilience and Recovery Application

The Future of Workforce Development Outreach

Region: 9

Participating Localities: Fluvanna County (cash match) Greene County (cash match) Louisa County (cash match) Madison County (cash match) Nelson County (cash match) Investment Strategy: Workforce Development

Targeted Industries: Advanced Manufacturing, Distribution & Logistics, Food/Beverage, IT

Type of Project: Economic Resilience and Recovery

Applicant(s): Virginia Career Works-Piedmont

Project Goal(s): To address newly identified service equity gaps in specific localities to ensure regional recovery from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The project will capitalize on the lessons learned while serving the workforce needs throughout GO Virginia Region 9 over the last ten months through Project Reconnect.

Project Description: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of newly unemployed has risen dramatically throughout the mutually shared service footprint of GO Virginia Region 9 and LWDA6. Our ability to reach these displaced workers is more critical than ever. The success of Project Reconnect over the last ten months and the lessons gleaned from this effort are improving the outcomes for those job seekers returning to the workforce. Therefore, this proposal aims to continue Project Reconnect while expanding the VCW-P workforce development scope by creating face-to-face support opportunities for those in the region who do not have easy access to our Career Centers.

Traditionally, the Virginia Career Works – Piedmont Region activities have been primarily focused on the efforts in the Career Centers located in the City of Charlottesville, Culpeper, and Orange. The interactions at the Career Centers are overwhelmingly dominated by those living within the city/counties that house the Centers. In Planning District 9, approximately 93% of those being served in person are residents of Orange, Culpeper, and Fauquier. In Planning District 10, approximately 80% of those being served in person are residents of Charlottesville and Albemarle. These findings lead to the conclusion that the job seekers in Madison, Greene, Nelson, Fluvanna, Louisa, and Rappahannock are underserved.

Virtual connections have accelerated due to the impact of COVID-19 on face-to-face interactions. While virtual connections may be meeting some of the need in the underserved counties, we believe many job seekers do not have access to high-speed internet, own the devices needed to connect in a meaningful way, or know how to reach the centers.

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The Future of Workforce Development Outreach The project proposes to identify three or four counties that can provide space for mobile access and support our efforts with local businesses to create unique workforce outreach opportunities like on-site job fairs with a focus on the GO Virginia sectors of Light Manufacturing and Food and Beverage Manufacturing.

VCW-P will hire a mobile workforce case manager who will connect with businesses in the identified targeted sectors, partner on hiring events, and collaborate with the development of career pathways within their hiring portfolio. The project will also create the mobile infrastructure to ensure that initiatives can expand, and evaluate virtual infrastructure options within each county to supplement the face-to-face events.




Local Match 23,000

Additional Leverage $ 0


Outcomes:

Serve 15 businesses in underserved counties

Increase the number of underserved job seekers engaged - 38 in the first year, over 100

in the second year

Workgroup Discussion:

Expanding services and utilizing lessons learned from Project Reconnect (ERR Fast Access)

Local match is coming from the localities’ local investments in Career Works-Piedmont.

Potential localities for the pilot program are Fluvanna, Louisa, Madison, and Nelson

Counties.

Staff Recommendation:

Based on the workgroup discussion and application review, staff recommends this project for

approval.

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Requirements $2:1 Match Requirement YES

Traded Sector YES


3 Year ROI N/A

5 Year ROI N/A




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Application

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Administratively Approved Economic Resilience and Recovery – Fast Access Project

Accelerate 2022

Region: 7 Participating Localities: Arlington County, Fairfax City, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, and Prince William County Investment Strategy: Startup Ecosystem Targeted Industry(s): Cybersecurity/defense, energy/sustainability, health, financial tech, mobility, digital innovation, and advanced manufacturing. Type of Project: Economic Resilience and Recovery – Fast Access Applicant(s): Refraction, Inc. Project Goal(s): To support startups in raising critical capital in 2021-2022 to make up for a reduction in early-stage startup investing that was a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Project Description: Refraction, Inc. in partnership with George Mason University will launch Accelerate 2022, a high profile, multi-day pitch competition and showcase to bring investors from across the U.S. to fund Northern Virginia startups and high-growth companies. The event will be held in October 2021. This initiative will address the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by engaging 50 startups, 100 investors, and 20 customers for startups. It will focus on supporting startups in raising critical capital in 2021-22, which will lead to more than 100 high-paying jobs and $16 million in follow-on funding within five years.

GO Virginia funds will be used for personnel and event space. The matching funds will be used for personnel and marketing.

Project Budget:






Outcomes:

50 startup companies served

100 investors engaged

20 customers for startup companies engaged

100 jobs created (in 5 years)

$16 Million in capital raised by participating startup companies (in 5 years)

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Memorandum

TO: GO Virginia Board Members

FROM: DHCD Staff

RE: GO Virginia Funded Projects - Update

DATE: 06/15/2021

The following link to the GO Virginia Funded Projects shows all projects funded to date and the current grant expenditures that have been drawn down as of March 31, 2021. This represents 170 projects with a total funded amount of $57,568,419.

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https://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/Docx/gova/gova-funded-projects.pdf

Documents

Regional ERR Applications