A nearly $3 million Growth and Opportunity for Virginia (GO Virginia) grant will be used to launch a Coastal Resilience and Adaptation Economy initiative designed to benefit the localities of Eastern Virginia, including Gloucester and Mathews, according to an announcement last Wednesday from Gov. Ralph Northam’s office.
The initiative will be used to lay the groundwork for a long-term, high-paying industry cluster by supporting business plan competitions and accelerator services, a release stated.
The initiative will form an industry/education consortium to engage with the broader business community about the risks and economic impacts of sea level rise and build capacity for adoption of resilient practices.
The grant, in the amount of $2,937,163, will target Gloucester, Mathews, Middlesex, Essex, King William, King and Queen, Accomack and Northampton counties, as well as the cities of Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach, and the towns of Chincoteague, Tappahannock, Urbanna and West...