Three Southwest Virginia Communities Get A Share of Eight Million Dollars To Assist COVID-19 Rural Recovery

Three Southwest Virginia communities are each getting a share of more than eight million dollars to assist rural areas in their region respond to the public health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Ralph Northam is announcing eight point four million dollars in Community Development Block Grants to be allocated to assist 14 projects including, one point seven million dollars for the LENOWISCO Regional Small Business Assistance for the City of Norton, Lee, Scott, and Wise Counties. Smyth County will partner with four food pantries and use 440 thousand dollars to bolster operations to serve 2000 low to moderate income individuals. Wise County’s Lunchbox 276 project will receive more than 187 thousand dollars to expand food programming options for approximately 500 children and families in southwest Virginia.