Department of Housing and Community Development (165)

Authority: Title 15.2, Chapter 13, Article 3 and Chapter 42; Title 36, Chapters 8, 10 and 11; and Title 59.1, Chapter 22, Code of Virginia.

A. Out of the amounts in this Item, $351,930 the first year and $351,930 the second year from the general fund is provided for annual membership dues to the Appalachian Regional Commission. These dues are payable from the amounts for Community Development and Revitalization.

B. The department and local program administrators shall make every reasonable effort to provide participants basic financial counseling to enhance their ability to benefit from the Indoor Plumbing Program and to foster their movement to economic self-sufficiency.

C. Out of the amounts in this Item shall be paid from the general fund in four equal quarterly installments each year:

1. To the Lenowisco Planning District Commission, $75,971 the first year and $75,971 the second year, which includes $38,610 the first year and $38,610 the second year for responsibilities originally undertaken and continued pursuant to § 15.2-4207, Code of Virginia, and the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority.

2. To the Cumberland Plateau Planning District Commission, $75,971 the first year and $75,971 the second year, which includes $42,390 the first year and $42,390 the second year for responsibilities originally undertaken and continued pursuant to § 15.2-4207, Code of Virginia, and the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority.

3. To the Mount Rogers Planning District Commission, $75,971 the first year and $75,971 the second year.

4. To the New River Valley Planning District Commission, $75,971 the first year and $75,971 the second year.

5. To the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission, $75,971 the first year and $75,971 the second year.

6. To the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission, $75,971 the first year and $75,971 the second year.

7. To the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission, $75,971 the first year and $75,971 the second year.

8. To the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, $151,943 the first year and $151,943 the second year.

9. To the Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Commission, $75,971 the first year and $75,971 the second year.

10. To the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission, $75,971 the first year and $75,971 the second year.

11. To the Region 2000 Local Government Council, $75,971 the first year and $75,971 the second year.

12. To the West Piedmont Planning District Commission, $75,971 the first year and $75,971 the second year.

13. To the Southside Planning District Commission, $75,971 the first year and $75,971 the second year.

14. To the Commonwealth Regional Council, $75,971 the first year and $75,971 the second year.

15. To the Richmond Regional Planning District Commission, $113,957 the first year and $113,957 the second year.

16. To the George Washington Regional Commission, $75,971 the first year and $75,971 the second year.

17. To the Northern Neck Planning District Commission, $75,971 the first year and $75,971 the second year.

18. To the Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission, $75,971 the first year and $75,971 the second year.

19. To the Crater Planning District Commission, $75,971 the first year and $75,971 the second year.

20. To the Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission, $75,971 the first year and $75,971 the second year.

21. To the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission $151,943 the first year, and $151,943 the second year.

D. Out of the amounts in this Item, $968,442 the first year and $968,442 the second year from the general fund shall be provided for the Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project (formerly known as the Virginia Water Project) operating costs and water and wastewater grants. The department shall disburse the total payment each year in twelve equal monthly installments.

E.1. Out of the amounts in this Item, $95,000 the first year and $95,000 the second year from the general fund shall be provided for the Center for Rural Virginia. The department shall report periodically to the Chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees on the status, needs and accomplishments of the center.

2. As part of its mission, the Center for Rural Virginia shall monitor the implementation of the budget initiatives approved by the 2005 Session of the General Assembly for rural Virginia and shall report periodically to the Chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees on the effectiveness of these various programs in addressing rural economic development problems. 

F. The department shall leverage any appropriation provided for the capital costs for safe drinking water and wastewater treatment in the Lenowisco, Cumberland Plateau, or Mount Rogers planning districts with other state moneys, federal grants or loans, local contributions, and private or nonprofit resources. 

G.1. Out of the amounts in this Item, $850,000 the first year and $550,000 the second year from the general fund shall be provided for the Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Foundation.

2. The foundation shall report to the Governor and the Chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees on the expenditures of the foundation and its ongoing efforts to generate revenues sufficient to sustain operations by September 1 of each year.

H. Out of the amounts in this Item, $71,250 the first year and $71,250 the second year from the general fund shall be provided to support The Crooked Road:  Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail.

I. Out of the amounts in this Item, $2,000,000 the first year and $2,000,000 the second year from the general fund shall be deposited to the Virginia Removal or Rehabilitation of Derelict Structures Fund to support industrial site revitalization.

J. Out of the amounts in this Item, $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the second year from the general fund shall be provided for the Virginia Main Street Program.  This amount shall be in addition to other appropriations for this activity.

K. Out of the amounts in this Item, $500,000 the first year from the general fund shall be provided to the City of Bristol to support construction of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.

L. Out of the amounts in this Item, $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year from the general fund shall be provided to establish an accelerator program to assist entrepreneurs to grow sustainable start-ups.  Grant funding will be provided to intermediary organizations that support entrepreneurial networks through effective business planning, technical assistance, mentoring and access to capital.  Priority will be given to proposals that demonstrate the ability to leverage other funding and to support startups with growth potential and that align with regional economic development strategies.  Efforts will be made to select projects in diverse settings including both urban and rural areas with significant economic development needs. The department shall collaborate with the Center for Innovative Technology in the design of the program.