Washington
Troubled Southwest Virginia draws promise of help from Youngkin, lawmakers
RICHMOND — Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced plans for an economic development initiative in Southwest Virginia, a region still struggling with the loss of the coal industry and where Democratic House Speaker Don L. Scott Jr. (Portsmouth) has also mounted a new push to address lingering problems.
Youngkin unveiled his “Accelerate Southwest Virginia” initiative last week at an economic forum at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. Though he was short on specific policy offerings, Youngkin touted a list of state-funded improvement projects related to transportation, education and health care, then announced a new $10 million small-business loan fund targeting the area through the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission.