Infrastructure Funding Secured So Far

VIRGINIA IS ALREADY BENEFITING 
FROM THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW

Here's a snapshot of the funding delivered so far...



In the news... 

Here's some of what people are saying about the bipartisan infrastructure law!



More on that below... 

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $35,000,000 in federal funding for expansion and improvements to Dulles International Airport. The funding was made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which both senators helped pass to improve air travel, roads, bridges, rail, broadband, and water infrastructure.

Specifically the funding will go towards building a 14-gate, 400,000 square foot terminal building. The new terminal will include direct connection to the Aerotrain, which helps move passengers throughout the airport, as well as indirect connection to the Metro Silver Line at Dulles, which Sens. Warner and Kaine helped open in 2022. Sens. Warner and Kaine announced $49.6 million in 2022 and $20 million in 2023 to support the construction of the new concourse. 

“Dulles Airport is a beacon for both domestic and international flights, and has expanded rapidly over the past decade,” said the senators. “This funding will improve travel for passengers and ensure that the airport stays functional and safe while continuing to meet flight demands.”

Sens. Warner and Kaine have long supported efforts to improve Virginia’s airports for travelers, including securing funding for Dulles, Ronald Reagan Washington National, and regional airports throughout the Commonwealth courtesy of the BIL. In addition, Sens. Warner and Kaine have been outspoken about the harm that changes to the FAA slot and perimeter rule would have on Reagan Airport. Dulles Airport is more equipped to handle expansion and increased long-distance flights, and this funding will help to facilitate this expansion.

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and Rep Bobby Scott (D-VA-03) announced $6,000,000 in federal funding for improvements to Norfolk International Airport. The funding was made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which the lawmakers helped pass to improve air travel, roads, bridges, rail, broadband, and water infrastructure.

Specifically the funding will go towards the construction of a new Federal Inspection Service (FIS) international arrivals facility, which will process cargo and agricultural products, in order to meet U.S. Customs and Border Protection requirements. This new center will replace the current outdated facility that has very limited processing capability, and will increase capacity at the facility to allow for multiple aircrafts to be processed simultaneously.

“Our regional airports service hundreds of flights weekly, and we’re glad this funding will help improve Norfolk International’s ability to process flights in a timely fashion, ensuring that the facility stays functional and safe,” said the lawmakers.

Sens. Warner and Kaine have long supported efforts to improve Virginia’s airports, including by securing funding for regional airports throughout the Commonwealth. Last year, the senators announced a series of awards for Virginia’s airports as part of the $15 billion in direct grants to airports around the country as a result of the infrastructure law.

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  WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine announced $25,668,909 in federal funding to make safety improvements along the Virginia Beach Trail and in Richmond. The funding was awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program, which funds initiatives to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. The program was created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which the senators helped pass.

“It’s critical that our transportation networks have the infrastructure needed to keep Virginians safe while they walk, bike, and drive,” said the senators. “We’re glad this funding made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law we passed will be used to make safety improvements along the Virginia Beach Trail and help prevent serious injuries and deaths at intersections in Richmond.”

The funding will be awarded as follows:

  • $14,900,000 for Virginia Beach to make multiple safety improvements for the Virginia Beach Trail project to address unsafe pedestrian conditions in the Hampton Roads area and create an active transportation link between downtown Norfolk and the Virginia Beach Town Center. Once completed, the shared-use path will have over three miles of pedestrian and bicycle trails completely separated from vehicles and move people walking and biking off a busy road. The trail will link multiple universities, businesses, and employment opportunities to underserved communities along the corridor. The project also includes a pedestrian bridge over the 10-lane road, high-visibility crosswalks, and improved lighting.
  • $10,768,909 for Richmond to address safety issues at 13 different corridors across the city. About 40% of the killed or seriously injured traffic incidents in Richmond occur on 3% of the street network, and many occur at intersections. The funding will be used to implement the Federal Highway Administration’s Proven Safety Countermeasures and the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Systemic Safety Countermeasures, including high visibility signal backplates (for 56 projects); flashing yellow arrows (72 projects); LED street lights (733 projects); infrastructure upgrades for unsignalized intersections, where the control of right-of-way is determined by the presence of a YIELD or STOP sign, or no sign at all (132 projects); red light enforcement cameras (11 projects); pedestrian hybrid beacons (7 projects); transit stop ADA accessibility enhancements (86 projects); permanent bicycle lane separation (1.93 miles); and other intersection improvements (26 projects).

Sens. Warner and Kaine have long supported efforts to improve transportation infrastructure across the Commonwealth. Earlier this year, the senators announced over $38 million in federal funding to improve shared-use and bicycle paths and roadway safety in Northampton, Accomack, Chesterfield, Rockingham, and Fairfax Counties. The senators also announced nearly $2 million in federal funding to promote increased safety for Virginia drivers and motorists.

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $2,000,000 in federal funding to study huge improvements to passenger rail in Virginia and surrounding states by potentially extending Amtrak service to new cities, increasing frequency, and creating faster routes. The funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Corridor Identification and Development (Corridor ID) Program, which supports comprehensive intercity passenger rail planning and development in order to create a pipeline of intercity passenger rail projects ready for implementation.?The Corridor ID Program was authorized and funded by the bipartisan infrastructure law, legislation strongly supported by Sens. Warner and Kaine. 

“For years, we’ve been championing the expansion of rail to every corner of the Commonwealth because it’s a slam dunk for local economies, cuts traffic, and protects the environment,” said the senators. “We’re thrilled the bipartisan infrastructure law is taking a big step towards expanding service across the entire Commonwealth so communities along the I-95 corridor and beyond can be connected by more convenient, consistent passenger rail.”

The funding is broken down as follows: 

  • $500,000 for the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation for a proposed project that would extend Amtrak service to Bristol. The proposed corridor would also include new frequencies, improved travel times, improvements to reliability, and new stations, including an infill stop in Bedford.
  • $500,000 for the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation for a proposed project that would connect Newport News with Richmond, Charlottesville and the New River Valley. The proposed corridor would provide new service on existing alignment, complementing existing state-supported Northeast Regional services connecting Washington, DC with Newport News and Roanoke, VA.
  • $500,000 for the North Carolina Department of Transportation for a proposed project that would address infrastructure capacity constraints along the existing Carolinian service between Charlotte, NC and Washington, DC by improving services in Petersburg, Richmond, Fredericksburg and Alexandria, Virginia and several stops in North Carolina. Improvements include rehabilitating a partially abandoned alignment between Raleigh, NC and Petersburg, VA that is more direct than the existing routing, potentially shaving more than an hour off the travel time between the two states.
  • $500,000 for Amtrak for a proposed project that would increase existing Amtrak Cardinal Service frequency from three days per week to daily. The Amtrak Cardinal Serve currently connects Alexandria, Manassas, Culpeper, Charlottesville, Staunton, and Clifton Forge, Virginia to cities including New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, DC, and more.

With the announcement of funding, each project now enters “Step 1” of the Corridor ID Program to develop a scope, schedule, and cost estimate for preparing, completing, or documenting its service development plan. 

Sens. Warner and Kaine have long supported efforts to improve and expand rail service across Virginia. Yesterday, the senators announced a $729 million investment in the Long Bridge Project, a transformative initiative that will alleviate a major passenger and freight rail bottleneck between Virginia and Washington, DC. The announcement is the result of years of work by the senators, from passing the Long Bridge Act, which authorized critical land transfers that allowed construction of the project to move forward, to previous announcements of $20 million for the project. Additionally, the bipartisan infrastructure law represented the largest investment in passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak, and since its passage, Sens. Warner and Kaine have announced several seismic rail projects including $100 million for the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority to design and build the Franconia-Springfield Bypass, a historic $58 million investment in the Raleigh to Richmond (R2R) rail corridor, and the opening of the Silver Line Extension to Dulles International Airport. Sens. Warner and Kaine have also been longtime advocates for one of the routes proposed today, extending rail service all the way to Bristol. Sens. Warner and Kaine also advanced Amtrak service to Lynchburg, which in 2017 was extended to Roanoke.

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, Gov. Glenn Youngkin, and U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA-08), Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07), and Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04) held an event in Arlington to announce $729,000,000 in federal funding they secured for the Transforming Rail in Virginia (TRV) Phase 2 projects. The funding will support the completion of a new Long Bridge across the Potomac River to connect D.C. and Virginia, make improvements to L’Enfant Station, and lay a third track along key sections of the corridor in Prince William, Stafford, and Spotsylvania Counties. This will help alleviate current bottlenecks, expand capacity, and improve reliability for Virginia commuters, travelers, and freight. The TRV projects will help expand Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express (VRE) rail services between D.C. and Raleigh, North Carolina. In addition to additional service to current destinations, these projects are also a necessary intermediate step for future passenger rail service for the New River Valley and Bristol. The funding was awarded through the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Warner, Kaine, Beyer, Connolly, and Spanberger helped pass in 2021.

“We’re thrilled we secured federal funding to support the construction of a new Long Bridge across the Potomac River and expand rail capacity and reliability in Virginia,” said Sens. Warner and Kaine. “This is another example of how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is improving transportation networks, reducing congestion, and supporting economic growth in communities across Virginia and the country.”

“This investment will help transform the rail system in Virginia, improving the flow of people and goods not only within the Commonwealth, but up and down the entire East Coast. I appreciate the collaboration between our senators, our congressional delegation, and our Secretary of Transportation to finalize the funding for this critical project this year and get this accomplished expeditiously. This project’s impact on the Commonwealth cannot be overstated — it will ease congestion, make our supply chain more resilient, improve freight movement in and out of our world-class port, and boost local economies,” said Gov. Youngkin.

"The funding we announced today is a huge deal for Northern Virginia and the National Capital Region. This grant will support the completion of a new Long Bridge to connect Virginia and Washington, D.C., doubling capacity at a bottleneck for much of the freight rail traffic in the mid-Atlantic and bringing billions of dollars in projected economic benefits,” said Rep. Beyer. “Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which I was proud to help pass, this historic infrastructure investment will benefit Virginians by expanding rail capacity, enhancing connectivity, and promoting economic growth. This project is a fantastic example of the good we can do with smart investment and forward-thinking public policy.”

“Today, we celebrate the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in action,” said Rep. Connolly. “This is an historic investment in our future and a transformative project for all Virginians that will reduce rail and road congestion, improve commutes, and increase our regional transportation capacity. I am proud to have helped secure this critical funding and I can’t wait to see these federal dollars at work.”

“This federal investment is proof that the bipartisan infrastructure law is continuing to deliver for Virginia’s communities,” said Rep. Spanberger. “In Congress, I’ve had the honor of representing Virginians up and down the I-95 corridor. And for years, they have been calling for stronger investments in reliable passenger rail. On behalf of the hundreds of thousands of Virginians I serve, I look forward to seeing these major and historic improvements in action.”

“The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act continues to improve our Commonwealth’s public transportation infrastructure and strengthen the capacity and resiliency of our passenger and freight rail network,” said Rep. McClellan. “Virginia Democrats called on the Department of Transportation to support the Long Bridge Project. Today, we celebrate this robust federal funding, which will have profoundly beneficial impacts in Virginia.”

“This grant is great news for Virginians,” said DJ Stadtler, Executive Director of Virginia Passenger Rail Authority. “The full funding of our Transforming Rail in Virginia Phase II projects, in particular, Long Bridge will result in a transformative increase in rail travel in the Commonwealth and along the East Coast.  VPRA is grateful for the immense support we have received from our Virginia senators and Congressional delegation for this initiative. Their support has been immeasurable.”

The existing Long Bridge is the most significant choke point along the East Coast. It’s the only rail bridge connecting Virginia to D.C. and serves as the main rail connection between the Southeast and Northeast for passenger and freight rail. The Long Bridge expansion is estimated to contribute $1.1 billion annually to the national economy and support 17,750 jobs.

Specifically, the funding will be used for:

  • Long Bridge Project: Design and construct a new Long Bridge between Arlington and D.C., including five rail bridges and two pedestrian/bicycle bridges. Once completed, the four-track corridor will allow for the separation of passenger and freight rail.
  • L’Enfant Fourth Track and Station Improvements: Construct approximately one mile of mainline track through and around L’Enfant Plaza in D.C., VRE’s busiest station, and make improvements to the existing station platform.
  • Neabsco Creek to Woodbridge Third Track: Design and construct three miles of a third track in Prince William County.
  • Aquia Creek Third Track South: Design and construct approximately two miles of a third track in Stafford County.
  • Crossroads Third Track: Design and construct approximately four miles of a third track in Spotsylvania County.

Sens. Warner, Kaine, Beyer, Connolly, Spanberger, and McClellan have been vocal advocates for the completion of the TRV Phase 2 projects and sent a letter in support of the project to Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg in October. Warner and Kaine successfully worked to pass the Long Bridge Act, which authorized critical land transfers that allowed construction of the project to move forward. Warner and Kaine previously secured $20,000,000 in federal funding to create a new bicycle-pedestrian bridge that crosses the Potomac River between Long Bridge Park in Arlington and West Potomac Parks in D.C. Warner and Kaine also secured $100 million in federal funding to the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority to design and build the Franconia-Springfield Bypass, which will allow Amtrak and VRE trains to seamlessly cross over two freight rail tracks, preventing delays and expanding capacity for additional service. Warner and Kaine applauded $58 million in federal funding to support the construction of the Raleigh to Richmond (R2R) corridor, which will eventually result in new intercity passenger rail service between Raleigh and Richmond.

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine released the following statement to mark the two-year anniversary of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law becoming law:

“In the two years since the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was signed into law, communities across Virginia have reaped its benefits. We’re finally seeing once-in-a-generation investments to upgrade our roads and bridges, improve water infrastructure, expand broadband, and more. We are proud to have passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to make these improvements possible. We’re excited to see how this law will continue to improve our infrastructure, create jobs, and transform communities across Virginia.”

So far, Virginia has received $8.4 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, including funding for over 247 specific projects. Read below for some examples of how Virginians across the Commonwealth are benefiting from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Cardinal News: $25M federal grant will deliver high-speed internet to Wise, Lee and Norton

A $25 million federal grant will bring a “fiber-to-the-premises” network that will deliver high-speed internet to more than 17,000 residents and more than 1,000 businesses in Wise and Lee counties and the city of Norton, federal legislators announced Monday.

The money was awarded to the Scott County Telephone Cooperative through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s ReConnect Program and was funded by the bipartisan infrastructure law of 2021, according to a joint news release from U.S. Sen. Mark Warner and Sen. Tim Kaine, both Democrats, and releases by U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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More information on this announcement can be found here.

CBS19 News: Virginia airports receiving nearly $400 million in federal funding

The Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport, Louisa County/Freeman Field Airport, and Orange County Airport are among the facilities that will be receiving federal funding.

Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, both D-Va., announced on Wednesday that airports throughout Virginia will be receiving nearly $400 million over the next five years from the bipartisan infrastructure deal that was signed into law.

More information on this announcement can be found here.

Loudoun Now: Dulles Airport to Get $20M for New Concourse from Infrastructure Law

That funding, from the bill’s Airport Terminals Program, joins another $49.6 million the project already received. It would replace gates built in the 1990s at the eastern end of Concourse A, where many regional-flight passengers currently go outdoors to access their planes via the walkways and stairs. Passengers instead will be able to board their flights using jet bridges. Connected to an Aerotrain station, the new concourse will be nearly four times larger than the current facility.

More information on this announcement can be found here.

Richmond Times-Dispatch: Richmond receives $18.4 million infrastructure grant for bridge project

A federal infrastructure grant will help Richmond raise an aging bridge out of the way of freight train traffic at a critical railroad crossing at the northern gateway to the city along Arthur Ashe Boulevard.

The $18.4 million award is in one of the first federal grants approved under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. It will help the city replace a 79-year-old bridge that carries Ashe Boulevard over CSX railroad tracks that divide Scott’s Addition from what the city bills as “the Diamond District,” a proposed economic development surrounding the baseball stadium that is home to the Richmond Flying Squirrels.

More information on this announcement can be found here.

Virginia Mercury: Franconia-Springfield Bypass gets $100 million to improve congestion on NoVa rail corridor

Virginia will receive $100 million in federal funding to help alleviate rail congestion and delays by constructing a passenger rail bridge in a busy train corridor in Northern Virginia.

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The $100 million in funding for the $405 million project comes from the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program, the bipartisan infrastructure law and the federal government’s 2022 spending bill, according to a Thursday announcement from Democratic U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner.

More information on this announcement can be found here.

Virginia Mercury: New federal programs offer Virginia households a subsidy for affordable high-speed internet  

Federal and state officials are rolling out a fleet of new programs in an expansive effort to bring faster and less expensive internet to all Virginians, especially those who have had trouble connecting in the past.

More information on this announcement can be found here.

Virginian-Pilot: Virginia utilizes infrastructure grant to help reconnect communities divided by interstates

An interstate divided the Jackson Ward neighborhood in Richmond decades ago, and now leaders hope a bridge will help reunite it.

The proposed project area for a bridge deck to better connect the neighborhood runs from the Belvidere Street bridge to east of the North First Street bridge over Interstate 95. Federal dollars from a new program will help fund the project.

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Democratic Virginia U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced in late February nearly $3 million in federal funding to improve transportation infrastructure and reconnect communities in Richmond and Norfolk.

More information on this announcement can be found here.

WAVY: New agreement signed to deepen, widen Port of VA

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Local and federal authorities have reached an agreement that funnels federal funding to the ongoing construction of the Port of Norfolk.

The agreement, signed Friday morning, means the federal government will financially invest in the construction effort to widen and deepen the commercial shipping channels and Norfolk Harbor.

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The signing of the PPA authorizes the flow of more than $225 million in federal funding that has already been secured for the Norfolk Harbor Deepening and Widening Project.

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Officials say the construction is further made possible with a $72 million federal investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

More information on this announcement can be found here.

WHSV: SHD continuing growth with funds from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (SHD) continues growing.

With more than one million dollars awarded from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, plans are already underway.

More information on this announcement can be found here.

WSET: Danville Regional Airport gets $1.2M to make infrastructure improvements

On Thursday, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine announced $13,240,212 in federal funding for Virginia airports to make infrastructure improvements, including extending runways, rehabilitating aprons, and improving taxiway lighting.

More information on this announcement can be found here.

WVEC: Norfolk, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sign coastal storm agreement

An agreement on Monday morning between Norfolk officials and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will solidify a partnership on the Resilient Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Project. It allows them to access nearly $399 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

More information on this announcement can be found here.

 

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $4,352,000 in federal funding for the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s Virginia Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund (VCWRLF). The VCWRLF offers low-interest loans to local governments in order to support efforts to address emerging contaminants that pollute Virginia’s clean water supply.  This federal funding will help manage the VCWRLF in order to better support local initiatives to protect water quality and public health for Virginia residents.

“Clean, safe water is essential for the health and safety of every Virginian,” said the senators. “We’re glad this federal funding will help promote efforts to improve and protect water quality and public health.”

The funding is awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Capitalization Grants for Clean Water State Revolving Fund and is available through the bipartisan infrastructure law.

Sens. Warner and Kaine have long supported efforts to improve clean water access across the Commonwealth. Last year, the senators announced over $46 million in federal funding as part of the bipartisan infrastructure law to replace lead water lines and ensure safe drinking water throughout Virginia.

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine announced that over $38 million in federal infrastructure investments are going to communities in Northampton, Accomack, Chesterfield, Rockingham, and Fairfax Counties through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability & Equity (RAISE) grant program, which received historic levels of support from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that the senators helped pass.

“Strong infrastructure—from roads and bridges to sidewalks and shared-use paths—is critical to helping Virginians get where they need to go and enjoy the great outdoors,” said the Senators. “We’re proud to have helped pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that helped make these investments possible, and look forward to seeing the positive impacts they’ll have on Virginia communities.”

The funding will be allocated as follows:

  • $23,251,485 is headed to Northampton and Accomack Counties to support the conversion of 16.8 miles of abandoned Bay Coast Railroad into a 10-foot-wide shared-use path that will connect the Town of Nassawadox with several historic towns on the way to the Town of Olney. Senator Kaine visited the future trail last year to meet with local leaders and talk about $2.5 million in federal funding both Senators previously secured for the project via the Congressionally Directed Spending process.
  • $14,368,180 is headed to Harrisonburg to convert a lane of US-11 to a two-way separated bicycle area between the intersections of Main Street and Noll Drive and Grattan Street and Liberty Street. A shared use path will also be constructed along Main Street between Grattan Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way. The project will also include additional pedestrian, bicycle, and intersection improvements to improve safety for the community and will be transformative for the Liberty Street Corridor and Downtown.
  • $3,600,000 is headed to Chesterfield County to fund critical planning needed to improve access and safety for the Meadowbrook Community, including improvements to the Hopkins Road/Chippenham Parkway interchange area, and the implementation of bike, pedestrian, and curbside pickup micro-transit options. The grant funds will help the county address vehicular safety and congestion issues occurring at the Hopkins Road/Chippenham Parkway interchange area while integrating a safe route and crossings for pedestrians. This project is a continuation of the county’s success in building a strong pedestrian network to connect residents to community services in the area.
  • $720,000 is headed to Herndon to develop a plan to redevelop the town’s land use and development policies, transportation network, and economic and housing development policies.

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WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today announced a whopping $1,481,489,527.87 in federal funding to deploy broadband and expand access to high-speed internet in Virginia. This funding was awarded though the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, which was created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – landmark legislation authored and negotiated by Sen. Warner.

“This whopping $1.4 billion investment brings us a giant step closer to achieving our goal of universal broadband coverage in Virginia,” said Sen. Warner. ”We all know that access to fast, reliable, and affordable internet is crucial to ensuring our rural communities grow and thrive, and I’m thrilled that Virginia is receiving the investment we need to deploy broadband all across the Commonwealth. This funding is in no small part thanks to the Virginians that took time out of their day to report their connectivity status. Because of these efforts, we were able to accurately report our coverage and access every cent to which Virginia was entitled.”

The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), seeks to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs. Specifically, today’s funding will be utilized by the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) to reach unserved and underserved locations throughout the Commonwealth – those lacking 25/3 internet speeds and 100/20 internet speeds.

Sen. Warner has long fought to expand access to broadband in Virginia, including by advocating for the accurate reporting of Virginia’s connectivity status. Last year, he called on Virginians to contact the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding internet coverage in their communities. Following the FCC’s reporting deadline, Sen. Warner called attention to a significant number of locations in Virginia that were incorrectly reported on the FCC broadband coverage map.

As an author and negotiator of the bipartisan infrastructure law, Sen. Warner secured $65 billion in funding to help deploy broadband and decrease costs associated with connecting to the internet. As part of that funding, Virginia received $5 million to help make a strategic plan to deploy coverage.

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WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) applauded $171,555,620 in federal funding for five transit projects in Virginia. This funding was authorized by the bipartisan infrastructure law supported by both Senators and signed into law by President Joe Biden. Specifically, these federal dollars will go towards investing in bus facilities and American-built buses that will be manufactured with American parts and labor.  

“We are thrilled to see the bipartisan infrastructure law continue to deliver for communities,” said the Senators. “This funding will help deliver state-of-the-art buses and bus facilities that are better for our environment and make Virginia’s transit systems more reliable and comfortable for riders. We’re proud to know that this funding will support American jobs while making our communities more accessible.” 

The funding will be distributed as follows:

  • The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) will receive $104 million to convert its Lorton, VA, bus garage to a fully electric facility, buy approximately 100 battery-electric buses, and develop a workforce training program for drivers, mechanics, and first responders to ensure safe and efficient operations of the fleet. This project will support WMATA’s plans to accelerate its transition to a 100-percent zero-emission bus fleet and create good paying construction jobs, which will be supported through a project labor agreement and registered apprenticeships.
  • The City of Alexandria will receive $23,984,700 to buy 13 battery-electric buses and charging equipment and perform utility upgrades to the DASH transit system. The project includes worker training to introduce new skills to the existing and future workforce to maintain the electric buses, charging infrastructure and associated technology. The buses will accelerate DASH's transition to a 100% zero-emission fleet.
  • Loudoun County will receive $13,880,910 to buy 37 compressed natural gas buses, build a fueling station and improve its maintenance facility, the first step in its 10-year net-zero energy strategy.  The buses will anchor the agency's fleet and service the county's environmental justice communities while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
  • The Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads will receive $25,000,000 to replace the 39-year-old Parks Avenue Maintenance Facility in Virginia Beach to accommodate future zero-emission buses. The new Southside Bus Operating Facility will help the agency support and maintain its current fleet while preparing to support expanded regional transit service.
  • The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) will receive $4,690,010 to replace the oldest buses operated by 11 rural transit providers. The project includes the purchase of a few dozen replacement buses that are vital to reducing a backlog of adequate vehicles. 

Funding for these projects was distributed through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA)’s Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities and Low- and No-Emission (Low-No) Vehicle programs.

The Buses and Bus Facilities program provides federal funding for transit agencies to buy and rehabilitate buses and vans and build and modernize bus facilities. The bipartisan infrastructure law provides nearly $2 billion through FY 2026 for the program. The Low-No program makes funding available to help transit agencies buy or lease American-built low- or zero-emission vehicles, including buses and vans; make facility and station upgrades to accommodate low- or zero-emission vehicles; and purchase supporting equipment like chargers for battery electric vehicles. The bipartisan infrastructure law provides $5.5 billion through FY 2026 for the Low-No Program – more than six times greater than the previous five years of funding combined.  

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $ 17,744,862 in federal funding to enhance beach access at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Assateague Island National Seashore. Specifically, these federal dollars will be used to relocate the existing public recreational beach to a more stable part of the island. This funding will also go towards constructing a new access road, four new parking lots, new boardwalks, and paving for a multiuse path. 

“This award would not have been possible without the bipartisan infrastructure law, which we were proud to help usher into law. We are thrilled to see these federal dollars go towards enhancing beach access at Chincoteague and Assateague – a project that will help preserve this natural treasure, provide visitors with a better experience, and generate more economic activity in the region,” said the Senators.  

This funding, awarded through the Department of Transportation’s Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects (NSFLTP) Program, was only made possible by the passage of the Warner and Kaine-backed bipartisan infrastructure law, which reduced minimum project sizes from $25 million to $12.5 million and increased the federal share of projects on Tribal transportation facilities to 100 percent. 

The Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects Program (NSFLTP) provides funding for the construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of nationally-significant projects within, adjacent to, or accessing Federal and tribal lands. The program provides an opportunity to address significant challenges across the nation for transportation facilities that serve Federal and tribal lands.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $29,400,000 in federal funding for three Virginia airports. Funds were made available through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Terminals Program. This funding was made possible through the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which was negotiated by Sen. Warner and strongly supported by Sen. Kaine. 

“Another day, another win from the bipartisan infrastructure law,” the Senators said. “The bipartisan infrastructure law provides sustained investments to make air travel smoother and safer, and we’re glad to see another year of targeted airport investments across the Commonwealth to make that a reality.”

The funding is distributed as follows:

  • $20,000,000 for Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Dulles, VA to replace existing ground loading positions with 14 loading bridges on the Tier 2 Concourse. The project connects directly to the Dulles Aerotrain and indirectly to the public Metrorail. 
  • $5,400,000 for Norfolk International Airport (ORF) in Norfolk, VA to construct a people mover on the pedestrian bridge connecting the departures and arrivals terminal building.
  • $4,000,000 for Richmond International Airport (RIC) in Richmond, VA to replace 21 passenger loading bridges that are beyond their useful life.

These funds come in addition to over $50 million awarded last year to the Dulles and Richmond airports through the Airport Terminals Program. Additionally, the Senators have announced nearly $400 million in funding for various Virginia airports secured through the bipartisan infrastructure law. Last year, Sens. Warner and Kaine negotiated the opening of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s Silver Line Extension, which provides Metro service directly to Dulles International Airport.

High-quality photos of Sens. Warner and Kaine’s recent visit to Dulles International Airport are available here. High-quality photos of Sen. Warner’s visit to Richmond International Airport are available here. 

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine announced $2,950,000 in federal funding to reconnect communities by improving transportation infrastructure in Norfolk and Richmond. The funding is awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities Pilot grant program (RCP), which supports planning grants, capital construction grants, and technical assistance to reconnect communities that were previously cut off from economic opportunity by transportation infrastructure. The funds can be used to remove, improve, or replace transportation facilities such as highways, roads, and rail lines that create barriers to community connectivity. The RCP Program was established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which the senators voted to pass in 2021.

“Past infrastructure choices have prevented too many Virginians from accessing critical resources and economic opportunity in their communities,” said the Senators. “We’re glad this funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help bring communities together by removing barriers to connectivity and improving our transportation infrastructure.”

The funding is distributed as follows:

  • $1,600,000 for the Norfolk I-264 Reconnecting Communities Project in Norfolk to plan for a solution to the “spaghetti bowl”, a 14-lane-wide jumble of I-264 ramps and interchanges that cuts a low-income, 97% African American neighborhood off from access and connectivity to the downtown area. The plan will be informed by community engagement.
  • $1,350,000 for Richmond to improve access and reconnect Jackson Ward through the creation of a new bridge or freeway lid that would incorporate transportation connections, public spaces, and opportunities for future development.

Jackson Ward is a historic African-American community that was physically and economically separated from downtown Richmond by the construction of I-95 and I-64 in the 1950s. In 2021, Kaine visited the neighborhood with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to learn more about the impact of the division on the community and how these funds will help reconnect the neighborhood.

Warner and Kaine have long supported efforts to improve infrastructure across the Commonwealth. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included over $8 billion in federal funds to improve transit and highway systems across Virginia. The recent government funding bill included nearly $200 million to strengthen transportation and recreation infrastructure. Last year, the senators announced $25 million in federal funding to expand I-64.

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $25,000,000 in federal funding for the expansion of I-64 in New Kent County. Awarded through the Department of Rural Surface Transportation Grant program (RURAL), this funding will add a third lane to I-64 in each direction, widen shoulders, add rumble strips and wider and flatter clear zones for an approximately 10-mile segment in New Kent County.

“This substantial investment for improvements to I-64 will make the highway safer, easier to travel, and help connect our rural communities,” the Senators said. “We see this grant as a sign of progress toward fulfilling the administration’s commitment to closing the I-64 gap by adding a third lane all the way from Hampton Roads to Richmond, but more work remains. We are glad to see the bipartisan infrastructure law continue to deliver funding that will help improve and ease the stress on Virginia’s highway system.

Sens. Warner and Kaine have consistently pushed for infrastructure funding for Virginia to help fund much-needed improvement projects across the Commonwealth. As part of the bipartisan infrastructure law Sen. Warner helped negotiate and Sen. Kaine supported, the Department of Transportation’s RURAL grant program was created to provide funds that paved the way for investments in highway infrastructure throughout Virginia and the country. In May, Sen. Kaine led a push that Sen. Warner joined to urge the U.S. Department of Transportation to make investments to reduce congestion in the I-64 corridor between Richmond and Hampton Roads.

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* High-quality photographs of Sen. Mark R. Warner are available for download here *

Photos may be used online and in print, and can be attributed to ‘The Office of Sen. Mark R. Warner’

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $4,999,975.50 in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program funding for planning broadband expansion projects in the Commonwealth. Awarded to Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, this first phase of funding will allow Virginia to develop their plans for deploying funding made available under the bipartisan infrastructure law to expand access to high-speed internet.

“Last year, we passed  once-in-a-generation funding for infrastructure projects across the country, and we’ve heard from communities across the Commonwealth about the difference these resources will make, from fixing unsafe bridges to modernizing our local airports,” the Senators said. “But in the twenty-first century, infrastructure doesn’t stop at roads and bridges—it must include access to broadband. That’s why we fought to make sure the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act would also help close the digital divide in Virginia and provide access to affordable, reliable broadband to every corner of the Commonwealth.”

The BEAD program, created and funded by the bipartisan infrastructure law which Sen. Warner negotiated and Sen. Kaine supported, will support Virginia’s development of a Five-Year Action Plan to deploy universal broadband. Specifically, the grant will support planning and pre-deployment activities in the Commonwealth including providing technical assistance to sub grantees and further developing plans to build broadband capacity In rural and underserved areas.

Sens. Warner and Kaine have long fought to expand access to broadband in Virginia. During negotiations for the bipartisan infrastructure law, Sen. Warner secured $65 billion in funding to help deploy broadband, increase access, and decrease costs associated with connecting to the internet. The BEAD Program was created and funded through this landmark legislation and provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs in all states and territories.

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $3,712,000 in federal funding from the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration for improvements of the wharf at the Richmond Marine Terminal (RMT), previously known as the Port of Richmond. This funding was made available by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, negotiated by Sen. Warner and supported by Sen. Kaine, which includes $17 billion for port infrastructure to fund waterway and coastal infrastructure, inland waterway improvements, and land ports of entry.

“The Port of Virginia is essential for Virginia’s economy, serving as a key transportation hub for goods and materials in the Commonwealth,” the Senators said. “This project will continue to grow Richmond Marine Terminal’s service capabilities and allow for quicker and more frequent transport through the port.”

These funds will go towards improving the wharf in order to allow two barges to be worked at the same time at RMT. Currently, the condition of the northern part of the wharf does not permit the safe operation of two cranes working simultaneously, hindering production. This funding will help the RMT double current throughput volume of 43,000 containers per year by 2026.

Sens. Warner and Kaine have long supported efforts to improve and revamp the RMT. In 2018, they announced $456,000 in federal funding to purchase equipment to expand the RMT.

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 WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) announced $46.256 million in federal funding for the Virginia Department of Health Office of Drinking Water. The funding will go towards the replacement of lead service lines throughout Virginia in order to protect public health by reducing the amount of lead in Virginia’s drinking water.

“As we have seen with the situation in Jackson, Mississippi, maintaining our water infrastructure is critical for the health and safety of our communities. We are glad to see these federal funds go towards necessary infrastructure improvements that will replace lead water systems in the Commonwealth,” said the Senators. 

This funding was awarded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which was negotiated by Sen. Warner and supported by Sen. Kaine.

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 WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $11,549,192 in federal funding for two Virginia transit systems. The funding was awarded through the Department of Transportation’s Fiscal Year 2022 Low or Now Emission Vehicle Program that helps state and local governments purchase or lease zero-emission and low-emission transit buses as well as acquire and construct support facilities, and was made possible by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act negotiated by Sen. Warner and supported by Sen. Kaine.

“Electric and natural gas vehicles offer a clean and affordable alternative to traditional fuel vehicles,” the senators said. “We are glad to see Virginia receive this funding to support the adoption of more energy efficient vehicles and the needed infrastructure to continue our transition to a transportation system with a significantly lower impact on the environment.” 

The funding is distributed as follows:

  • $10,032,000 for the GRTC Transit System to replace natural gas buses that have reached the end of their useful life.
  • $952,192 for the GRTC Transit System to construct a vehicle storage facility.
  • $565,000 for the City of Suffolk to purchase new electric buses and charging stations.

Sens. Warner and Kaine have consistently supported policies designed to bring down energy costs and support the transition to cleaner fuels with less environmental impact. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) negotiated by Sen. Warner and supported by Sen. Kaine included billions of dollars to support the transition to electric and zero-emission cars and buses. The Inflation Reduction Act, which was passed by the Senate last week, also included significant provisions to support the adoption of a clean energy future, and is expected to reduce carbon emissions 40 percent by 2030.

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $64,207,045 in federal funding for Virginia infrastructure projects courtesy of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law negotiated by Sen. Warner and supported by Sen. Kaine. The funding was awarded through the Department of Transportation’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program that helps communities plan and carry out projects with local or regional impact.

“Virginia continues to benefit from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” the senators said. “We are thrilled to see this funding head to Virginia for improvements throughout the Commonwealth that will have a direct impact on Virginians’ daily lives.”

The funding is distributed as follows:

  • $20,000,000 for the Long Bridge Bicycle and Pedestrian Crossing Project in Arlington County, Virginia, and the District of Columbia for the creation of a new bicycle-pedestrian bridge that crosses the Potomac River between Long Bridge Park in Arlington, VA and East and West Potomac Parks in Washington, DC.
  • $19,300,000 for High Street Innovation in the City of Portsmouth for converting the existing four-lane undivided arterial to a two-lane divided road section allowing for road integration of vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users.
  • $18,400,000 for Arthur Ashe Boulevard Bridge in the City of Richmond for the replacement of the existing bridge structure over the CSX Railroad at the City's crossroads with the eastern seaboard interstate highway corridor.
  • $3,000,000 for the I-95/Route 1 Revitalizations Planning Project in Spotsylvania County for the planning of a project that will provide multimodal improvements along the US Route 1 corridor from I-95/Exit 126 to Route 208/Lafayette Boulevard.
  • $2,007,045 for the Three Notched Trail Shared Use Path Plan in Albemarle County for the planning of a project that will develop a shared use path between the City of Charlottesville, the community of Crozet, and Western Albemarle and Nelson County.
  • $1,500,000 for Community Connectivity and Mobility in Essex County for the planning to conduct a multimodal assessment and develop a master plan that will propose projects and cost estimates for future projects. Planning activities will also involve connecting select priority parcels and destinations.

This funding announcement comes following direct advocacy by Sens. Warner and Kaine. The senators have highlighted Virginia’s infrastructure needs for U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.  

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 WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine applauded  President Biden’s announcement of new efforts to lower high-speed internet costs for Virginians and all Americans, including commitments from 20 internet providers to either increase speeds or cut prices to no more than $30/month for Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)-eligible households. Warner and Kaine helped create the ACP, which was established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Warner negotiated and they both voted to pass. 1,908,000 or 23% of people in Virginia will be eligible for the ACP.  

“We’ve made great progress in expanding broadband in Virginia, but too many Virginians still face challenges in accessing internet due to high costs. These steps to lower internet costs for families are critical to address that gap. We’re glad the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help more families stay connected with friends and loved ones, access telehealth services, and find job and educational opportunities online,” Sens. Warner and Kaine said.

Specifically, the ACP program provides a $30 per month discount, or $75 per month for households on tribal lands, for low-income families to use toward any internet service of their choosing. Today’s commitments from the 20 internet providers will mean tens of millions of ACP-eligible households will receive high-speed internet at no cost. Households can also receive a one-time $100 discount for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet. Eligible households must have an income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or have a family member that meets at least one of these criteria outlined by the Federal Communications Commission. Virginians can go to GetInternet.gov to sign up for the ACP and find participating providers in their area.

As Governors and Senators, Warner and Kaine have long supported expanding broadband access in Virginia. During the pandemic, they secured significant funding for broadband through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the December 2020 government funding bill, which included COVID relief, and the  American Rescue Plan. They also introduced legislation to help students access the internet at home. The Fiscal Year 2022 government funding bill supported by Warner and Kaine included $550 million to expand access to broadband and $450 million for the ReConnect program to help rural communities access the internet.

 

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced the designation of $232,426,060 in federal funds for Virginia transit systems. This largest-ever investment in Virginia transit was authorized by the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act negotiated by Sen. Warner and supported by Sen. Kaine. The funding will be awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration formula programs and distributed to transit systems throughout the Commonwealth.

“Thanks to the bipartisan infrastructure law, Virginia continues to receive funding for much-needed transportation upgrades,” the senators said. “This investment in the Commonwealth’s public transit will make lives easier for every Virginian who relies on public transportation while creating good-paying jobs for workers.”  

Because of this record investment in transit, Virginia is set to receive a 28.7 percent increase in funds over last year’s total apportionment.

In addition to the $232 million guaranteed for Virginia, the Commonwealth is expected to receive a portion of the $280,270,139 in funding designated to the D.C. Metro Area, which includes Northern Virginia, D.C., and Maryland. This funding will be divided across transit agencies and localities within the area.

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WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine announced $65,591,635 in federal funding for Virginia to make homes more energy efficient and help lower utility costs. The funding will be awarded through the Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), which was expanded under the bipartisan infrastructure law‘s historic federal investments in upgrading our power infrastructure and reducing carbon emissions.

Eligible organizations will be able to apply for funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law in the coming weeks. This federal funding will allow the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to partner with organizations across the Commonwealth who provide weatherization services to make homes more energy efficient. The program will save an average of $372 in annual energy savings for American families. It will also help low-income families—who spend an average of 13.9% of their income on energy costs—save money.

“Virginia continues to benefit from the bipartisan infrastructure law,” said the Senators. “We’re glad this funding will be used to make homes more energy efficient, help Virginia families save money by lowering their utility costs, and improve the health and safety of communities.”

This funding can be used for a variety of mechanical, building, electric and water, health and safety, and education measures, such as upgrading heating or cooling systems, installing energy efficient light sources, and installing insulation. 8,487 Virginia homes have been weatherized since 2010.

In addition to the $3.5 billion in funding for states across the country from the infrastructure law, the FY 2022 government funding bill included $313 million across the country for WAP. 

For information on how to apply, click here. For local providers in Virginia, click here.

  

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WASHINGTON —Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA), and U.S. Reps. Bobby Scott and Elaine Luria (both D-VA), issued the following statement, applauding an additional $223,871,000 in federal funding for key Virginia projects, including the Norfolk Harbor Widening and Deepening Project, the City of Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Project, and the Virginia Beach Coastal Storm Risk Management Study:

“We’re elated to see the bipartisan infrastructure law continue to deliver wins for Hampton Roads. This funding will advance key infrastructure projects in the region that will invest in the Port of Virginia, boost the local economy, create good-paying jobs, and preserve Virginia’s status as a leader in maritime trade and defense. We’re particularly excited to see that this funding will allow Virginia Beach to initiate its Coastal Storm Risk Management Study – an important step in protecting the community from the devastating effects of climate change.” 

This funding, awarded through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), was made possible by the bipartisan infrastructure law, which was negotiated by Sen. Warner and supported by Sen. Kaine and Reps. Scott and Luria.

The Norfolk Harbor Deepening and Widening Project will receive an additional $72,371,000 to improve navigation and expand capacity by deepening and widening Norfolk Harbor’s shipping channels. Specifically, $40 million will be used to dredge and widen Thimble Shoal Channel West. $32,371,000 will be used to complete the remaining features of the project, including the Atlantic Ocean Channel and the channel to Newport News. This project received $69,331,000 through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in January 2022 and an additional $83,700,000 in March 2022 through the Fiscal Year 2022 omnibus. Completion of this project will enable safer access for larger commercial and military vessels and provide significant new economic opportunities for the region.

The City of Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Project will receive an additional $150,000,000, to build the downtown Norfolk to Ghent floodwalls with gates at the Hague. This funding will also go towards continuing designs for phases within other portions of the city, and starting on the non-structural flood neighbor components of the project. This project received $249,331,000 through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in January 2022 to initiate construction. When completed, this project will help reduce and manage flooding for major portions of the City of Norfolk through a system of surge barriers, tidal gates, floodwalls, levees, pump stations, and non-structural measures.

The Virginia Beach and Vicinity Coastal Storm Risk Management Study will receive $1,500,000 to initiate and complete the project’s feasibility study phase. Sens. Warner and Kaine and Rep. Luria have long advocated for federal funding to support this project, which is crucial to the long-term vitality and resilience of the City of Virginia Beach and the entire Coastal Virginia region.

Sens. Warner and Kaine and Reps. Scott and Luria have long worked to secure funding for these key projects. In January, they applauded $369 million in federal funding for a number of projects awarded through the USACE. The lawmakers have consistently urged the Biden administration and the USACE for funding to start construction on the Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Project, including in 2020 and 2021. They similarly pressed for funding for the Norfolk Harbor Project in 2020 and 2021. In 2018, Sens. Warner and Kaine successfully got Norfolk Harbor and the Virginia Beach and Vicinity Coastal Storm Risk Management Study authorized as part of the Water Resources Development Act. They also successfully pushed for the authorization of construction of the Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Project as part of the 2020 Water Resources Development Act.   

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WASHINGTON – With billions of dollars in infrastructure funding up for grabs, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) is working to give a leg up to Virginia’s counties, cities, towns, tribes, and stakeholders. Today, Sen. Warner unveiled a new resource webpage that will make these dollars as accessible as possible for Virginia localities as they prepare to compete for the funding, which was authorized by the bipartisan infrastructure law negotiated by Sen. Warner and signed by President Joe Biden.

“I’m excited to launch this page to help Virginia localities access the funding I was proud to negotiate and secure through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Virginia stands to gain a historic amount of competitive funding, but only if we apply and compete for it. This site will help connect Virginians to key resources and help them stay on top of grant and funding opportunities,” said Sen. Warner. 

Among other things, the site:

  • Visualizes application due dates with an interactive calendar, allowing users to better track deadlines.
  • Filters grants by federal agency, allowing users to better locate grants that fit their needs.
  • Enables users to easily request a letter from the Senator in support of a grant application.
  • Provides a snapshot look at the funding that is already making its way to Virginia, and allows users to view in detail how that funding will be distributed and utilized throughout the Commonwealth. 

This competitive funding comes in addition to billions of dollars in formula funding, also authorized by the bipartisan infrastructure law. Formula funding is non-competitive and determined by pre-existing formulas, which are based on statistical criteria. In general, states, localities, and other entities that normally receive infrastructure funding from Congress can expect to receive a boost of additional federal dollars, distributed through traditional programs.

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 WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine announced $15,745,244 in federal funding for Virginia to build electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. This funding is the first of five installments totaling $106,375,132 for building EV charging stations across the Commonwealth over the next five years. The funding was made possible by the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) negotiated by Senator Warner and strongly supported by Senator Kaine. The landmark law included $7.5 billion for EV charging stations and $5 billion for clean and electric school buses across the country.

“We’re pleased to see Virginia will receive significant federal funding to build electric vehicle charging stations across the Commonwealth,” said the senators. “This funding will encourage more Virginians to adopt clean vehicles and help ensure that families have access to reliable charging stations when they travel. Promoting electric vehicles is a critical step to address the climate crisis and protect public health.”

Under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program established by the bipartisan IIJA, each state must outline how the funding will be used and submit a plan to the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation before receiving the funds. Localities are also able to apply to the program directly if their state does not submit a plan. In addition to this funding, states and localities will soon have the opportunity to apply for $2.5 billion in competitive grants for EV infrastructure, including in rural and underserved communities.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) today announced $22,790,000 in Fiscal Year 2022 funding to reclaim abandoned mine lands (AML) in Virginia – an effort that will strengthen coal communities by promoting economic opportunity and addressing dangerous hazards that threaten the health of Virginians and the long-term wellbeing of communities. The funding, awarded through the Department of the Interior (DOI), was made possible by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act negotiated by Sen. Warner and supported by Sen. Kaine.  

“This investment into Virginia mining communities will not only create good paying jobs, but will also revitalize energy communities by reclaiming abandoned, unsafe lands for new use,” the Senators said. “We are proud to see Virginia’s mining communities continue to reap the benefits of the infrastructure law passed by Congress and signed by President Biden.”

AML reclamation projects supported by this funding will close dangerous mine shafts, reclaim unstable slopes, improve water quality by treating acid mine drainage, and restore water supplies damaged by mining. The projects will eliminate dangerous environmental conditions and pollution caused by past coal mining, including by remediating abandoned mines that are leaking methane – a key contributor to climate change. Through these projects, hazardous lands can be reclaimed into recreational facilities and targeted for other economic redevelopment uses like advanced manufacturing and renewable energy deployment.

These investments will work to supplement traditional annual AML grants, which are funded by coal operators and ensured to be provided through 2034 thanks to language and appropriated funds of $11.3 billion over 15 years in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $19,962,161 in funding for the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) to help further connect Virginia’s Appalachian region to national Interstates. The funding, awarded through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in coordination with the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), was made possible by the bipartisan infrastructure law negotiated by Sen. Warner and supported by Sen. Kaine.

“We are pleased to see these infrastructure dollars headed to Virginia, where they’ll help further connect Appalachian communities and maximize economic opportunity in the region,” said the Senators. “We’re proud that the bipartisan infrastructure law is dedicating the resources needed to advance this crucial development project.”

The ADHS is a 3,090-mile network of highways linking the Appalachian region to national Interstates, which provide access to regional and national markets, contributing to growth opportunities and improved access in Appalachia. The bipartisan infrastructure law represents the first sustained, robust, and dedicated support for the system in a decade, since funding for ADHS was not provided by Congress from 2012 to 2020.

As of September 30, 2021, Virginia’s ADHS corridors consist of 204.6 miles, with 192.2 miles currently eligible for funding. The estimated cost to complete Virginia’s ADHS corridors is $440.5 million – $172.9 for Corridor H, which runs from the West Virginia State line to I-81 at Strasburg, and $267.6 million for Corridor Q, which runs from Breaks Interstate Park at the Kentucky State line to I-81 at Christiansburg. Corridor B, which runs from Weber City at the Tennessee State line to the State line near Jenkins, Kentucky, is currently complete.

ARC is an economic development partnership agency of the federal government and 13 state governments, focusing on 420 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the Region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation. Since 1965, ARC has invested $4.5 billion in approximately 28,000 economic development projects across Appalachia, attracting over $10 billion in matching project funds. 

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WASHINGTON —Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA), and U.S. Reps. Bobby Scott and Elaine Luria (both D-VA), applauded $369,000,000 in federal funding for a number of key projects, including the City of Norfolk’s Coastal Storm Risk Management project and the Norfolk Harbor Widening and Deepening project. This funding, awarded through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), was made possible by the bipartisan infrastructure law, which was negotiated by Sen. Warner and supported by Sen. Kaine and Reps. Scott and Luria.

“We applaud the Biden administration and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers for recognizing the invaluable role the Port of Virginia and Norfolk Harbor have in supporting our nation’s economy. Additionally, we applaud the administration’s significant investment in the City of Norfolk to protect this community from the increasing threat of rising seas and significant flood events. After years of advocating for this funding, we are thrilled that Virginia will receive the federal dollars it needs to carry out these projects, which will help further strengthen our supply chains, mitigate the growing risks of sea level rise, and secure our economic and national security interests in and around the region,” said the lawmakers. “These projects are just a few examples of how the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is starting to work for the American people by providing the resources needed to improve communities and create jobs.”

The City of Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Project will receive $249,331,000 to initiate the first construction contract of the project, which will help reduce and manage flooding for major portions of the city through a system of surge barriers, tidal gates, floodwalls, levees, pump stations, and non-structural measures.

The Norfolk Harbor Deepening and Widening Project will receive $69,331,000 to improve navigation and expand capacity by deepening and widening the harbor’s shipping channels. This will enable safer access for larger commercial and naval vessels and provide significant new economic opportunities to the region.

Other funding awarded to Virginia through the USACE FY22 Work Plan includes:

  • $281,295 and $2.2 million for Eastern Shore and Southwest Virginia
  • $120,000 for Indian Run
  • $300,000 for Hampton Roads Beneficial Use 
  • $325,000 for Manchester Canal
  • $3.5 million for Gathright Dam and Lake Moomaw
  • $11.525 million for John H Kerr Lake 
  • $2.56 million for Lynnhaven Inlet
  • $5.675 million for Milford Haven
  • $24.4 million for Philpott Lake

Sens. Warner and Kaine and Reps. Scott and Luria have long worked to secure funding for these key projects. They have consistently urged the Biden administration and the USACE for funding to start construction on the Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Project, including in 2020 and 2021. They similarly pressed for funding for the Norfolk Harbor Project in 2020 and 2021. In 2018, Sens. Warner and Kaine successfully got Norfolk Harbor authorized for construction as part of the Water Resources Development Act. They also successfully pushed for the authorization of the Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management Project as part of the 2020 Water Resources Development Act.   

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) today announced the largest-ever federal investment in Virginia’s bridges, made possible by the passage of the bipartisan infrastructure law negotiated by Sen. Warner and supported by Sen. Kaine. Virginia will receive $536.8 million over five years to address highway bridge needs, which include 577 bridges across the Commonwealth that are currently rated as being in “poor” condition, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

“We’re thrilled to announce this record amount of funding to fix aging bridges across Virginia,” said the senators. “Modernizing bridges will improve safety and support economic growth in every corner of the Commonwealth. Today’s announcement is one more reason we were proud to support the once-in-a-generation infrastructure investment that is improving lives and livelihoods across the country.”

In July 2021, Sen. Warner joined Richmond officials for a tour of the Mayo Bridge, which was constructed in 1913 to cross the James River and is one of the hundreds of bridges across Virginia that are currently considered structurally deficient and expected to benefit from the investment announced today. Photos from that visit are available here.

In December 2021, Sen. Kaine joined U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg in Richmond and Henrico County to discuss how the $7.7 billion in federal funds Virginia expects to receive from the infrastructure bill will be used to repair and replace roads and bridges and improve public transportation. 

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WASHINGTON –U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) today announced Virginia transit and highway systems are expected to receive more than $8 billion in federal funds over the next five years as a result of the bipartisan infrastructure deal signed into law last month.

“The bipartisan infrastructure law is delivering real, hard-fought wins to communities across the Commonwealth and the nation to maintain our roads, bridges, and rail,” the senators said. “Already we are seeing the impact this meaningful legislation will have throughout Virginia.”

Virginia’s transit systems are expected to receive over $1.2 billion over the next five years. The funds are expected to be distributed as follows:

  • Blacksburg, VA: $18,442,213
  • Bristol, VA – Bristol TN: $7,893,935
  • Charlottesville, VA: $19,185,122
  • Fredericksburg, VA: $20,992,768
  • Harrisonburg, VA:  $14,476,058
  • Kingsport, TN-VA: $11,780,158
  • Lynchburg, VA: $18,976,348
  • Richmond, VA: $104,922,587
  • Roanoke, VA: $22,258,920
  • Staunton-Waynesboro, VA: $6,770,544
  • Virginia Beach, VA: $176,559,982
  • Washington, DC-VA-MD: $2,742,614,626
  • Williamsburg, VA: $14,401,113
  • Winchester, VA: $8,736,841

Additionally, as a result of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Virginia transit systems will be able to compete for approximately $34.7 billion in nationwide discretionary grant programs for important priorities like improving bus and train station accessibility and expanding rural transit options.

The bill also renews the federal funding commitment for WMATA through fiscal year 2030, which means $1.2 billion for the Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority over the next eight years to ensure the Metro is safe and efficient for Virginians.

In addition, Virginia’s highways, bridges, and electric vehicle charging stations are expected to receive over $7.7 billion in funding over the next five years. The funding will be distributed by program as follows:

  • National Highway Performance Program: $3,821,862,528
  • Surface Transportation Block Grant: $1,859,284,475
  • Bridge Replacement, Rehabilitation, Preservation, Protection, and Construction Program: $536,761,305
  • Highway Safety Improvement Program: $408,582,208
  • Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program: $311,405,743
  • PROTECT Formula Program: $188,510,787
  • National Highway Freight Program: 183,657,838
  • Carbon Reduction Program: $165,786,199
  • National Vehicle Electric Formula: $106,376,132
  • Appalachian Development Highway System: $102,835,469
  • Metropolitan Planning: $51,902,542
  • Railway-Highway Crossings Program: $24,798,925

The funding represents a portion of federal funds headed to Virginia as a result of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a bipartisan, once-in-a-generation investment in our nation’s infrastructure that was negotiated by Sen. Warner and strongly supported by Sen. Kaine. Last week, the Senators announced that Virginia airports are slated to receive $400 million over the next five years as a result of the bipartisan infrastructure law.

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WASHINGTON – On the busiest air travel day of the year, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced that airports in Virginia are expected to receive $399,740,660 in federal funds over the next five years as a result of the bipartisan infrastructure deal signed into law last week.

The funding will be distributed to Virginia airports over five years as follows:

  • Washington Dulles International: $120,399,725
  • Ronald Reagan Washington National: $116,734,485
  • Richmond International: $35,608,215
  • Norfolk International: $33,098,390
  • Charlottesville-Albemarle: $15,444,835
  • Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional: $14,977,645
  • Newport News/Williamsburg International: $10,194,005
  • Lynchburg Regional/Preston Glenn Field: $6,497,230
  • Shenandoah Valley Regional: $5,066,130
  • Manassas Regional/Harry P. Davis Field: $3,735,000
  • Leesburg Executive: $3,735,000
  • Virginia Highlands: $1,480,000
  • Virginia Tech/Montgomery Executive: $1,480,000
  • Culpeper Regional: $1,480,000
  • Danville Regional: $1,480,000
  • New River Valley: $1,480,000
  • Blue Ridge: $1,480,000
  • Chesapeake Regional: $1,480,000
  • Hampton Roads Executive: $1,480,000
  • Richmond Executive-Chesterfield County: $1,480,000
  • Hanover County Municipal: $1,480,000
  • Warrenton-Fauquier: $1,480,000
  • Winchester Regional: $1,480,000
  • Franklin Regional: $790,000
  • Front Royal-Warren County: $790,000
  • Twin County: $790,000
  • Louisa County/Freeman Field: $790,000
  • Luray Caverns: $790,000
  • Mountain Empire: $790,000
  • Accomack County: $790,000
  • Orange County: $790,000
  • Dinwiddie County: $790,000
  • New Kent County: $790,000
  • William M. Tuck: $790,000
  • Mecklenburg-Brunswick Regional: $790,000
  • Stafford Regional: $790,000
  • Suffolk Executive: $790,000
  • Tappahannock-Essex County: $790,000
  • Middle Peninsula Regional: $790,000
  • Emporia-Greensville Regional: $550,000
  • Farmville Regional: $550,000
  • Ingalls Field: $550,000
  • Lee County: $550,000
  • Tazewell County: $550,000
  • Tangier Island: $550,000
  • Lonesome Pine: $550,000
  • Brookneal/Campbell County: $550,000

The funding represents Virginia’s share of $15 billion in direct grants to airports expected around the country as a result of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a bipartisan, once-in-a-generation investment in our nation’s infrastructure and competitiveness that was negotiated by Sen. Warner and strongly supported by Sen. Kaine.

 

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) released the following statement after attending the White House bill signing ceremony for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act:

“It’s with great pride that we applaud President Biden’s signing of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – a historic law that will bring critically-overdue funding into our communities and create a new generation of good-paying American jobs. The investments made possible by this law will bring Virginia’s infrastructure into the twenty-first century by fixing crumbling roadways, bolstering public transit systems, bridging the broadband gap, and strengthening our coastal resiliency. As former governors of Virginia, we know that getting a bill signed into law is only the beginning, and we’ll be working with folks on the ground to ensure this bill is implemented quickly and efficiently.”

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a comprehensive infrastructure package that delivers wins to communities across the Commonwealth and the nation to maintain our roads, bridges, rail systems, and other critical infrastructure needs, including:

Roads, Bridges, and Major Projects: 

  • $110 billion to repair and rebuild our roads and bridges with a focus on equity, safety for all users, including cyclists and pedestrians, and first of its kind attention to climate change mitigation and resilience. This includes:
    • $40 billion for bridge repair, replacement, and rehabilitation, which is the single largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the interstate highway system. 
    • $7 billion for Virginia highways and $537 million for Virginia bridge replacement and repairs over five years.
    • In Virginia, there are 577 bridges and over 2,124 miles of highway in poor condition.

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and Public Transit:

  • Renews the federal funding commitment for WMATA through fiscal year 2030 at current annual levels. The federal government’s commitment to WMATA funding is based on legislation previously introduced by Senators Warner and Kaine. 
  • An estimated $1.2 billion over five years to improve public transportation in Virginia.
  • Over $39 billion over five years for public transit systems across the nation. 

Rail: 

  • $66 billion for passenger and freight rail to upgrade speed, accessibility, efficiency, and resilience, including $22 billion in grants to Amtrak, $24 billion as federal-state partnership grants for Northeast Corridor modernization, $12 billion for partnership grants for intercity rail service including high-speed rail, $5 billion for rail improvement and safety grants, and $3 billion for grade crossing safety improvements.
  • These dollars will help Virginia fund current projects announced with CSX, Norfolk Southern, Amtrak, and VRE — such as the $1.9 billion Long Bridge project that both Senators Warner and Kaine supported by successfully passing their Long Bridge Act of 2020 as part of the FY21 Omnibus. The legislation allowed for the construction of a new Long Bridge across the Potomac River to double the capacity of rail crossing between Virginia and DC, but still required federal funding to move forward.          
    • This funding will improve reliability and travel options not just in Virginia, but along the East Coast.

Airports, Ports, and Waterways:

  • $25 billion to improve our nation’s airports including runways, gates, terminals, and concessions.
  • $16.6 billion for port infrastructure to fund waterway and coastal infrastructure, inland waterway improvements, and land ports of entry.

Army Corps of Engineers:  

  • $9.55 billion for Army Corps of Engineers infrastructure priorities like harbor dredging, coastal resiliency, and repairing damages to Corps Projects caused by natural disasters. 

Broadband: 

  • $65 billion for broadband deployment to increase access and decrease costs associated with connecting to the internet.
  • Virginia will receive a minimum allocation of $100 million to expand broadband across the Commonwealth, including providing access to the at least 473,000 Virginians who currently lack it. 
  • 1,908,000 or 23% of people in Virginia will be eligible for the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, which will help low-income families afford internet access.

Resilience: 

  • $47 billion for climate resilience measures that will help our communities weather increasingly severe storms, droughts, floods, fires, heat waves, and sea level rise, including funding for FEMA flood mitigation grants, making infrastructure investments to increase coastal resilience, and improving mapping and data so that households and businesses can better protect themselves from future flood events.
  • $238 million for the Chesapeake Bay Program for ecosystem resiliency and restoration.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging: 

  • $7.5 billion to build electric vehicle charging stations across the country along highway corridors to facilitate long-distance travel and within communities to provide convenient charging where people live, work, and shop. 
  • $2.5 billion for electric, zero-emission school buses.
  • An estimated $106 million for Virginia over five years to support the expansion of an EV charging network in the Commonwealth. Virginia will also have the opportunity to apply for the $2.5 billion in grant funding dedicated to EV charging in the bill.

Support for Minority Businesses:

  • The legislation includes a provision based on Senator Kaine and Senator Wicker’s Reaching America’s Rural Minority Businesses Act, introduced in May 2021. 
  • The provision will enable the Minority Business Development Agency to partner with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) to establish business centers to support minority-owned small businesses in rural areas to provide education, training, and technical assistance to help them grow and thrive.

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