State of Virginia awards revitalization grants to Newport News, Norfolk, and Portsmouth
Newport News, Virginia – Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the allocation of $2.4 million in Port Host Communities Revitalization Fund (PHCRF) grants to the cities of Newport News, Norfolk, and Portsmouth. These funds aim to rejuvenate port-related infrastructure, transforming neglected facilities into vital economic and community assets.
Investments to Boost Economic Growth and Community Pride
Governor Youngkin emphasized the significance of these investments, stating, “We are making crucial investments in both our port infrastructure, and our port communities. By breathing new life into these structures, we are able to turn dilapidated, abandoned buildings into sources of job creation, economic prosperity and community pride.”
The awarded projects include a Seafood Market in Newport News, essential upgrades to Colonna’s Shipyard in Norfolk, and the development of a dual rail transload facility in Portsmouth. Each project will address longstanding issues with neglected properties, paving the way for new opportunities in these vital port communities.
Supporting Local Development and Economic Revitalization
The General Assembly allocated $1.5 million in PHCRF grants in 2023 to support the renovation or removal of outdated buildings in Virginia’s five port host communities: the cities of Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Richmond, as well as the town of Front Royal. This year’s awards expand on that commitment, focusing on projects that promise substantial community and economic benefits.
Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick highlighted the broader impact, saying, “The projects supported by these grants will add great value to community development efforts and create jobs in Newport News, Norfolk, and Portsmouth. Currently, these sites are a deterrent to economic development in the surrounding port host areas and regions, and with support from the PHCRF, they are now part of the attraction efforts.”
Details of the Funded Projects
The following projects were awarded funding:
- Newport News: Seafood Industrial Park Seafood Market – $800,000
- Norfolk: Colonna’s Shipyard Waterfront Improvements – $800,000
- Portsmouth: 1040 Virginia Avenue (dual rail transload facility) – $800,000
Bryan Horn, Director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, noted, “The flexibility of the Port Host Communities Revitalization Fund is integral to its effectiveness, allowing for a wide variety of redevelopment activities. Each project is being redeveloped for a market-driven purpose and will breathe new life both into the communities and into these derelict structures.”
For additional details, visit dhcd.virginia.gov/phcrf.
