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$10M awarded to Southwest Virginia abandoned mine land projects
By Murry Lee,
2 days ago
WISE COUNTY, Va. (WJHL) — Millions in grant funding have been earmarked for economic development projects in Southwest Virginia, Governor Glenn Youngkin and Congressman Morgan Griffith announced Monday.
A news release from the governor’s office states the four projects were selected for Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) grant approval. The grant program is managed by Virginia Energy and funded by the U.S. Department of Treasury.
To qualify, each project had to use sites where coal was mined prior to 1977 and feature “safety and environmental improvements” for the surrounding area.
Two of the projects are located in Wise County, one in Tazewell County and the other in both Dickenson and Buchanan Counties.
The governor’s office provided the following description of the projects receiving AMLER grant funding:
County
Project
Funding
Wise County
Access Road to Project Intersection- a second entryway into an industrial development that previously received AMLER funding
$4,750,000
Tazewell County
Richlands Electric Diversification Project- funds a micro natural gas power plant to provide more affordable energy to the town’s utility customer
$2,000,000
Dickenson & Buchanan counties
Cumberland Outdoor Recreation- funds a portion of the largest conservation easement in Virginia creating public access to land for outdoor recreation
$2,750,000
Wise County
Project Wildcat- builds a retaining wall in an area with future prospect for community development
$500,000
“As we strengthen our commitment to accelerate growth in Southwest Virginia, these important projects bring unique economic opportunities to our coal communities,” Youngkin said in the release. “From industrial development, tourism and community enhancement projects to an innovative solution to keep energy affordable, each one amplifies why Virginia is a great place to live, work and raise a family.”
“As the leading advocate for the AMLER program, it is encouraging to see expanded efforts in Southwest Virginia to revitalize old mine lands and breathe life into coal communities,” Griffith said in the release. “This renewed commitment highlights the impacts of AMLER projects on economic development and job creation in the region.”
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