Henrico, Metro Richmond region earn state grant funding for ‘cluster analysis’

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced this week that 21 projects focused on creating workforce pipelines for specific industries and helping attract and expand Virginia-based businesses in critical industries have been awarded a total of more than $2.5 million in grant funding from the Growth and Opportunity for Virginia initiative.

Among the planning grants awarded was one for $87,500 for a Greater Richmond cluster analysis involving Henrico, Hanover and Chesterfield counties and the city of Richmond, approvals. The Greater Richmond Partnership will analyze the Richmond subregion and make recommendations on

strategies for growing clusters specific to the area. The foundational research and strategies generated by this plan will also be leveraged by PlanRVA as they begin to generate a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for the region. ​

The GO Virginia awards are designed to attract and grow Virginia-based businesses by investing in workforce development, business development, and infrastructure. The program is focused on economic development projects in targeted industries and regions with the goal of creating jobs.

“GO Virginia enables us to make strategic investments in pivotal projects targeting regionally identified opportunities and nurturing collaboration between the private and public sectors for robust economic growth,” said Youngkin. “These projects showcase the innovative partnerships that GO Virginia aims to cultivate which are strengthening our workforce and propelling the Commonwealth forward in key industries.”

The GO Virginia program, launched in 2017, has awarded more than $134 million to 311 projects.