Governor Glenn Youngkin has announced $6.2 million in Growth and Opportunity for Virginia (GO Virginia) grants to support 10 projects aimed at strengthening the Commonwealth’s economic competitiveness. The funded initiatives focus on innovation, workforce development, and strategic industry growth, and are expected to leverage an additional $4 million in non-state investment to expand their overall impact.
The newly awarded projects span a wide range of priority areas, including aviation maintenance training, expansion of industrial trades education, development of talent pipelines in emerging technology sectors, support for regional innovation ecosystems, and long-term strategic planning to position regions for transformational economic opportunities. Together, these efforts are designed to align workforce skills with evolving industry needs and promote sustainable regional growth.
Several of the projects emphasize collaboration with school divisions, community colleges, research universities, and employer partners to ensure that education and training pathways lead to high-demand, higher-wage careers. By strengthening these partnerships, the initiatives aim to improve access to quality workforce opportunities for Virginians across diverse regions of the state.
State leaders highlighted the importance of regional collaboration in driving economic success, noting that coordinated efforts to build talent pipelines, support commercialization, and prepare competitive development sites are essential for job creation and long-term opportunity. The GO Virginia program continues to serve as a platform for aligning local, regional, and statewide priorities around shared economic goals.
Since 2022, GO Virginia has played a significant role in fostering economic growth across the Commonwealth. The program has supported the creation and expansion of more than 2,200 businesses, generated approximately 25,000 jobs, and retained thousands more across 131 localities. Through 147 projects, GO Virginia has awarded $72 million in state funding and leveraged $61 million in matching non-state investments, while also launching workforce programs that have trained tens of thousands of Virginians.
The latest round of grants builds on this track record by reinforcing Virginia’s commitment to innovation-led growth, workforce readiness, and regional collaboration. By investing in both immediate implementation projects and longer-term planning efforts, the GO Virginia program continues to position the Commonwealth for sustained competitiveness in a rapidly changing economic landscape.
