Grant funding to target utilities improvements, including PSA and workforce housing efforts
Economic and Community Development Director Lydeana Martin explained that the grant funds will be used to make improvements to utilities in order to make workforce housing development possible.
A special meeting was held at the Floyd County High School’s Collaboration and Career Development Center (CCDC) on April 8 to announce the approval of a $1.5 million federal grant, which will benefit Floyd County's public utilities and future planning.
Attendance included Floyd County Public School officials (FCPS), members of the Economic Development Authority of Floyd County (EDA), three of the County’s Supervisors, the County Administrator, community leaders, members of the press, and Senator Tim Kaine.
Economic and Community Development Director Lydeana Martin explained that the grant funds will be used to make improvements to utilities in order to make workforce housing development possible.
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“Public utilities make smaller lot sizes possible, which means a shorter road and lower expenses, so we can help keep the housing affordable. We are pursuing other funds for the road construction, site work and housing construction. Various downpayment assistance programs will also be an important part of the mix to help people afford to buy good housing,” she said, noting that the Floyd-Floyd County Public Service Authority (PSA), which operates the public water and wastewater system, has been an important partner in the utility improvement efforts.
Event attendees include Floyd County Public School officials (FCPS), members of The Economic Development Authority of Floyd County (EDA), Floyd County Board of Supervisors, the County Administrator, community leaders, members of the press, and Senator Tim Kaine. Photos by Colleen Redman
FCPS Superintendent Dr. Jessica Cromer welcomed attendees and remarked that the grant funds will directly support infrastructure, expand opportunity, and strengthen the future of our county. “We are especially proud to host this announcement here at the CCDC, our Collaboration and Career Development Center,” which she referred to as a bridge between school and the workforce.
“Inside this building, you will find students working in areas like welding, health sciences, culinary arts, building trades, automotive, agriculture, engineering, and computer science,” she said. “This work is deeply connected to the broader vision we have for Floyd County – a vision where our young people can see a future for themselves right here in this community if they choose. That’s why today’s announcement matters so much. Access to affordable housing is directly tied to workforce development.”
“We are also proud that our efforts here in Floyd County have been recognized at the national level,” Cromer continued.” “Days like today remind us that progress happens when vision, partnership, and investment intersect. The grant being announced today is a powerful example of that intersection.”
Vince Hatcher, director of Operations at Hollingsworth & Vose, also spoke at the podium, introducing himself as a proud graduate of FCPS and Virginia Tech. He spoke about the company’s need to have more affordable housing options. “We often have people we want to hire that have a hard time finding affordable housing. It’s important to have affordable housing to support businesses,” he said.
H&V, a global manufacturer of advanced materials used in filtration, battery, and industrial applications, was founded in 1843 in East Walpole, Massachusetts, in 1843. Operations in Floyd were first established in 1976 and currently the company operates 13 manufacturing sites and development centers across the world.
“The County and the EDA have worked hard to help us out over the years, in terms of pursing grants, site spaces, and more," Hatcher said. "We’re really appreciative of the work they have done.”
EDA Chairman Ryan Baker stated that the authority works with the county and many partners to remove barriers to growth for businesses at all levels. “Together we offer start-up classes, peer-to-peer business growth programs, a small business loan program, leasable spaces and business-ready sites. Plus we work to support infrastructure development,” he said.
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“We’re pleased that the number of businesses in the County increased last year, as did local wages. The future looks bright here in many ways. And yet, we have serious needs. Like many small communities, our public water and sewer system is limited, older, and in need of many upgrades,” Baker continued.
He explained that the county owns land adjacent to the high school that is being jointly pursued for the development of owner-occupied, workforce housing, but that a major hurdle is the lack of public water and sewer to the site, which is why the EDA applied to Senator Kaine’s Office for Congressionally-Directed Spending for the grant that Kaine helped secure.
“This project would serve at least three parties and purposes — upgrading and extending the PSA’s system, removing lead joints from water pipes serving the community, and supporting new workforce housing,” Baker said.
Next up at the speaker’s podium was Senator Kaine, who said he was happy to be back in Floyd and enjoyed his lunch at The Floyd Country Store. Kaine began his address by saying how impressed he was with the CCDC building. He expressed his support for technical education and gave a shoutout to the creativity and the partnerships that have been formed.
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“These are complicated projects,” he said about the grant process. “The group around the table, from the Town, from the County, from private sector, from the school system, people who are passionate about the quality of life here, you’ve done a really good job. It takes that kind of partnership to make it happen,” he said.
Speaking of Floyd’s affordable housing development project and extending utilities, Kaine said, “My prediction is this: When this is built, you’re going to have people from other counties coming and saying, 'how did you do this?'” He said that affordable housing is a top issue throughout much of Virginia.
He spoke about the application and funding process, noting that he and Senator Mark Warner coordinate when analyzing the applications. They work with the applicants before making a request to the Senate Appropriations Committee. “Not every applicant fits the program criteria. You guys impressed them.”
