RuFES Announces Five Grant Options for Green Jobs and Businesses

RuFES (Rural Family Economic Success) announces funding to help workers and businesses participate in the Green Economy.

Businesses that focus on producing cleaner, safer, more sustainable buildings, vehicles, technology, consumer products and energy sources for our future are a bright “growth” spot in our economy. And when those businesses do well, they tend to have the happy side effect of creating good jobs that pay pretty well! For rural America, Green Economy businesses have great potential, because many depend on resources available in rural places – like wind and specialty crops – to succeed.

Read about the funding opportunities....

Posted by Carolyn Spohrer at 11:47 AM - Categories: Press Releases

Governor Kaine Highlights Funding for Weatherization Assistance Programs

KING GEORGE – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today highlighted the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development's (DHCD) Weatherization Assistance Program, which has allocated $37 million in weatherization funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

"Virginia's weatherization providers have maintained lengthy waiting lists for the weatherization program for some time," said Bill Shelton, Director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. "With this increase in funding, as well as changes in the eligibility criteria, we expect to be able to provide weatherization services for many income-eligible Virginians who will benefit from lowered utility costs and a greater quality of life."

Read the press release from the Governor's office....

Posted by Carolyn Spohrer at 10:07 AM - Categories: Press Releases | Stimulus

$1 Million to Virginia Federation of Food Banks

Fredericksburg- The Governor presented the check at the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank as part of this Cabinet Community Day visit to the area. Governor Kaine and members of his Cabinet and senior staff also participated in the Food Bank's Food for Life program as part of President Obama's call for a summer of community service through his United We Serve initiative.

Read more....

Posted by Carolyn Spohrer at 10:05 AM - Categories: Press Releases

Governor Announces $500,000 in Economic Development Grant Funding From ARRA

FREDERICKSBURG - Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced today that the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) awarded $500,000 in federal funding to 12 Employment Services Organizations (ESOs) with projects designed to increase employment for Virginians with disabilities.

Read more about funding to increase employment for Virginians with disabilities....

Posted by Carolyn Spohrer at 9:59 AM - Categories: Stimulus

Pew Research Study: Neighborhoods Key to Future Income

Neighborhoods Key to Future Income, Study Finds

From Washington Post staff writer, Alec MacGillis- July 27, 2009:

Researchers have found that being raised in poor neighborhoods plays a major role in explaining why African American children from middle-income families are far more likely than white children to slip down the income ladder as adults.

Read the whole article in the Washington Post....

Posted by Carolyn Spohrer at 1:11 PM - Categories: Press Releases

Governor Kaine Announces Grants to Support Homeless Services Programs

RICHMOND –Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced the award of more than $14 million in grants to Virginia's homeless services providers. The grants, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and funded through a combination of state and federal resources, will be used to provide services to homeless citizens or those at risk of becoming homeless.

Several VACAP agencies were awarded funding for homeless services from DHCD using federal and state resources- Alexandria, Arlington, Clinch Valley, Loudoun, Lyn-CAG, MACAA, OHA, People and TAP.

Read the Governor's release....

Posted by Carolyn Spohrer at 1:17 PM - Categories: Press Releases | Member News

Spotlight On Poverty and Opportunity Talks Census

Poverty Data to be Released Two Weeks Later

The Census Bureau will release the 2008 poverty and income data in mid-September 2009, rather than late August, and will split the release into two separate events. 

Read more from Spotlight on Poverty....

Posted by Carolyn Spohrer at 12:25 PM - Categories: Press Releases