ralph northam Archives

Politics

Virginia Governor: IPG to Create Jobs in Pittsylvania County

Governor Northam Announces Intertape Polymer Group to Create 50 New Jobs in Pittsylvania County Company to expand manufacturing facility over next four years RICHMOND, VA (STL.News) Governor Ralph Northam announced that Intertape Polymer Group Inc. (IPG), a packaging products and systems company that supplies to retailers and manufacturers, will expand its manufacturing operation in Pittsylvania County to increase production for its e-retail packaging, coatings, and films. The company will add 30,000 square feet to its facility at 1101 Eagle Springs Road and act on a series of investments in production, operations, and capacity, totaling approximately $45 million over the next four years. Virginia successfully competed with Colorado, North Carolina, and Utah for the project, which will ...

Politics

Virginia Governor Northam: Nomination of Dr. Jewel Bronaugh

Governor Northam Commends Nomination of Dr. Jewel Bronaugh as USDA Deputy Secretary VDACS Commissioner recognized for leadership, innovation, and partnership RICHMOND, VA (STL.News) Governor Ralph Northam today commended President-elect Joe Biden for appointing Dr. Jewel H. Bronaugh to serve as Deputy Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Dr. Bronaugh has served as Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) since May 2018. Pending confirmation by the United States Senate, Commissioner Bronaugh will become the first African American Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. “As Commissioner of VDACS, Dr. Bronaugh has been a true leader—promoting the agency’s core mission while taking on new challenges, including our COVID-19 ...

Politics

Virginia Governor Releases December 2020 Revenue Report

General Fund revenue collections up 15.1 percent from previous year and fiscal year-to-date collections up 7.8 percent, payroll withholding, corporate income tax, sales and use taxes, and recordation tax posted strong gains RICHMOND, VA (STL.News) Governor Ralph Northam today announced that total General Fund revenues rose 15.1 percent in December, driven by solid growth in payroll withholding, corporate income tax, sales and use taxes, and recordation tax collections. On a fiscal year-to-date basis, total revenue collections rose 7.8 percent through December, well ahead of the annual forecast of 1.2 percent growth. “Our diligence in following our long-term financial plan has put Virginia in a stronger position to weather this health crisis and ensure a sustainable recovery,” said Gov...

Politics

Virginia Governor Northam Sets Special Election for 38th Senate District

RICHMOND, VA (STL.News) Governor Ralph Northam today issued a writ of election declaring a special election in the 38th Senate District for March 23, 2021. The seat was previously held by Senator A. Benton Chafin, Jr., who passed away on January 1, 2021. Under § 24.2-216 of the Code of Virginia, the Governor is charged with setting the special election date when a vacancy occurs in the General Assembly absent of the General Assembly being in session. The full writ of election is available here. The last day for candidates to file to appear on the ballot is January 22, 2021. Information regarding candidacy requirements can be found on the Department of Elections website.

Politics

Virginia Governor: Expansion of SPIG Industry in Washington County

Governor Northam Announces Expansion of Highway Guardrail Manufacturer to Create 113 New Jobs in Washington County SPIG Industry to invest $7.9 million to incorporate three production facilities, welding shop, and rail spur line RICHMOND, VA (STL.News) Governor Ralph Northam today announced that SPIG Industry, LLC, a manufacturer of highway guardrails and guardrail end terminals, will invest $7.9 million to expand its operation in the Bristol-Washington Industrial Park in Washington County. The company will build three large production plants and a welding shop, as well as a new rail spur line to serve the facility. SPIG chose Virginia after considering several other states for the project, which will create 113 new jobs. “The continued growth of SPIG Industry demonstrates the tremendous...

Politics

Virginia Governor: October 2020 Revenue Report

General Fund revenue collections down 2.7 percent from previous year and fiscal year-to-date collections up 6.7 percent, growth in sales and use taxes and recordation tax collections offset expected decline in payroll withholding RICHMOND, VA (STL.News) Governor Ralph Northam today announced that General Fund revenues fell 2.7 percent in October with solid growth in sales and use taxes and recordation tax collections offsetting an expected decline in payroll withholding. “This month’s revenue report shows that Virginia is on sound financial footing despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” said Governor Northam. “We must stay focused on beating this virus first and foremost, so we can remain on a road to recovery and continue moving our Commonwealth forward.” Regular monthly collections a...

Politics

Virginia Governor Northam Directs $7 Million in CARES Act Funding

Governor Northam Directs $7 Million in CARES Act Funding to Virginia Food Banks Money will help address food insecurity amid COVID-19 pandemic RICHMOND, VA (STL.News) Governor Ralph Northam today announced that Virginia will allocate $7 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act dollars to Virginia food banks to help Virginians who rely on food assistance. “The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the already serious problem of food insecurity in Virginia and across the country,” said Governor Northam. “This funding will help Virginia food banks and other food assistance programs meet the increased demand for their services and ensure every Virginian has continued access to nutritious food during these challenging times.” Prior to the pandemic, ap...

Politics

Virginia Governor Northam Allocates $60 Million for Municipal Utility Relief

Governor Northam Allocates $60 Million in CARES Act Funding for Municipal Utility Relief Total of $120 million will provide payment support for customers impacted by COVID-19 pandemic RICHMOND, VA (STL.News) Governor Ralph Northam today announced a new allocation of $60 million in funding from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to support municipal utility relief efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Combined with the Governor’s proposed budget amendment to provide $60 million for jurisdictional utilities, the Commonwealth is directing a total of $120 million for residential and non-residential utility customers impacted by the ongoing public health crisis. “These are challenging times for Virginia families and businesses, and we remain committed to h...

Politics

Virginia Governor Northam: $22 Million for Private Institutions of Education

Governor Northam Announces $22 Million for Virginia’s Private Institutions of Higher Education Funding will support ongoing COVID-19 response at private colleges and universities RICHMOND, VA (STL.News) Governor Ralph Northam today announced a new allocation of $22 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act dollars to support Virginia’s private institutions of higher education. This funding is proportionate to recently announced CARES Act funding for public institutions, and will be used to support COVID-19 preparedness and response efforts at Virginia’s private non-profit colleges and universities. “Like public colleges and universities, Virginia’s private institutions are facing tremendous financial challenges as a result of COVID-19,” said Governor...

Politics

VA Governor Northam: Virginia Receives $3.5 Million to Support Youth

Virginia Receives More Than $3.5 Million in Federal Funding to Support Vulnerable Youth RICHMOND, VA (STL.News) Governor Ralph Northam today announced that the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) has been awarded more than $3.5 million in competitive federal funding to help vulnerable youth in Virginia. DCJS has received two awards from the United States Department of Justice through the Office of Justice Programs—$1.83 million under the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Student, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Program and $1.68 million under the Office of Victims of Crime’s Services for Minor Victims of Sex Trafficking program. “We know that when children are exposed to traumatic events, it impacts their ability to learn and succeed in school,” said Gove...

Politics

Virginia Governor Northam Directs $30 Million to Support Unemployed

Governor Northam Directs $30 Million to Support Workforce Training for Unemployed Virginians Re-Employing Virginians initiative will provide scholarships to enroll in programs in high-demand fields HAMPTON, VA (STL.News) Governor Ralph Northam today announced that Virginia is allocating $30 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act dollars to help Virginians whose employment has been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis pursue workforce training in a high-demand field. The new Re-Employing Virginians (REV) initiative will provide scholarships to eligible individuals to enroll in a workforce or community college program in five essential industries, including health care, information technology, skilled trades, public safety, and early childhood education. “...

Politics

Virginia Governor Northam: Major Expansion by Madison County Winery

Governor Northam Announces Major Expansion by Madison County Winery Revalation Vineyards receives county’s first AFID award RICHMOND, VA (STL.News) Governor Ralph Northam today announced that Revalation Vineyards will invest more than $2.3 million to build a new wine production facility, tasting room, and event space in Madison County. With this project, the company is creating five new jobs and committing to purchase nearly 60 tons of Virginia-grown grapes over the next three years. This announcement comes on the heels of grape harvest and during Virginia Wine Month, an annual celebration of Virginia’s thriving wine industry. Home to 312 wineries, Virginia is now the sixth-largest wine region in the United States, and the wine industry contributes nearly $1.4 billion to the Commonwealt...

Politics

Virginia Governor Northam Launches Largest Infrastructure Project

Virginia Launches Largest Infrastructure Project in Commonwealth’s History Governor Northam, state and regional leaders kick off $3.8 billion Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion Project HAMPTON, VA (STL.News) Governor Ralph Northam joined the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and state and local leaders to break ground on the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) Expansion Project today. The $3.8 billion project will increase tunnel and interstate capacity along 9.9 miles of Interstate 64 between Hampton and Norfolk, reducing congestion and easing access to the Port of Virginia and the world’s largest Naval base. “For too long, traffic in the Hampton Roads region has bottlenecked at the tunnel,” said Governor Ralph Northam. “Folks in this region deserve an easier, more reliabl...

Politics

Virginia Governor Northam Signs Sweeping New Laws to Reform Policing

Governor Northam Signs Sweeping New Laws to Reform Policing in Virginia Measures ban no-knock warrants, strengthen officer decertification process, limit use of neck restraints RICHMOND, VA (STL.News) Governor Ralph Northam today announced he has signed new laws that will significantly advance police and criminal justice reform in Virginia. Governor Northam has been working closely with legislators on these measures since early summer, when the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor led to a national reckoning on racial bias in policing. “Too many families, in Virginia and across our nation, live in fear of being hurt or killed by police,” said Governor Northam. “These new laws represent a tremendous step forward in rebuilding trust between law enforcement and the communities they ser...

Politics

Virginia Governor Northam Announced Rebuild VA Grant Fund

Governor Northam Invites Small Businesses and Nonprofits to Apply for Up to $100,000 from Rebuild VA Grant Fund Program allotted additional $30 million, eligibility expanded RICHMOND, VA (STL.News) Governor Ralph Northam today announced that Rebuild VA, a grant program to help small businesses and nonprofit organizations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, will expand eligibility criteria and increase the amount of grant money businesses receive. Rebuild VA launched in August with $70 million from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Governor Northam is directing an additional $30 million to support the expansion of the program. Businesses with less than $10 million in gross revenue or fewer than 250 employees will be eligible under the new criteria, an...

Politics

Virginia Governor Northam Announces $116 Million for Institutions of Higher Education

Governor Northam Announces Additional $116 Million for Virginia Institutions of Higher Education CARES Act funding will support ongoing COVID-19 response at colleges, universities, and medical schools RICHMOND, VA (STL.News) Governor Ralph Northam today announced a new allocation of more than $116 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act dollars to support Virginia’s institutions of higher education. Consistent with the General Assembly’s recently advanced budget, the funding will be distributed to public universities and medical centers to support telework and distance learning infrastructure, personal protective equipment, sanitization and cleaning, and testing for students, staff, and faculty. “Virginia has some of the best colleges and universit...

Politics

Virginia Governor Northam Announces Furniture Manufacturing to Bring 200 Jobs

Governor Northam Announces New Furniture Manufacturing Operation to Bring Nearly 200 Jobs to Pittsylvania County Ison Furniture Manufacturing to invest $3.5 million in new facility, supplier to co-locate onsite RICHMOND, VA (STL.News) Governor Ralph Northam today announced that Ison Furniture Manufacturing, Inc., a North Carolina-based furniture manufacturer, will invest $3.5 million to acquire and renovate the recently closed A.C. Furniture Company, Inc. facility in Pittsylvania County. The company will also purchase new equipment for the assembly and full production of its upholstered furniture products. Virginia successfully competed with North Carolina for the project, which will create 150 new jobs. The company’s supplier, Dogwood Global, LLC, will locate to a vacant 30,000-square-...

Politics

Virginia Governor Northam Allocates CARES Act Dollars to Help Free Clinics

Governor Northam Allocates CARES Act Dollars to Help Free Clinics Funds will reimburse clinics for COVID-19 expenses RICHMOND, VA (STL.News) Governor Ralph Northam today announced that the Commonwealth will use $3 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act dollars to reimburse members of the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (VAFCC) for clinics’ COVID-19 expenses, including personal protective equipment, sanitation measures, telehealth, and hiring new staff. “Our free clinics are a critical part of our health safety net, providing care for those with no insurance,” said Governor Northam. “Thousands of Virginians access health care through free clinics, and I am glad we can help support those clinics’ needs at this time. This global he...