Here’s a roundup of news briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org.
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State names brownfield grant recipients
Danville, Floyd, Martinsville and Pound are among the recipients of state grants to help restore and redevelop brownfield sites, the governor’s office announced Wednesday.
The grants come from the Virginia Brownfields Restoration and Economic Redevelopment Assistance Fund and are designed to address environmental problems in order to attract new economic development projects. The fund is administered by the Virginia Resources Authority and is a partnership between the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Department of Environmental Quality, according to a news release announcing the awards.
Brownfields are properties that can’t easily be reused because they’re contaminated by hazardous materials or pollution. These grants will cover removal of hazardous substances and wastes, demolition and removal of existing structures, and other necessary site work.
The 2024 grants were awarded to:
- Danville Industrial Development Authority: $500,000 for the former Masonic Temple.
- Floyd: $262,500 for multiple commercial properties in the town’s west end.
- Martinsville: $189,500 for the former BB&T building in Uptown.
- Pound: $125,000 for the former Peoples Bank of Pound building.
- Orange County: $500,000 for the former Virginia Metal Industries property.
- Orange County Industrial Development Authority: $183,00 for the former Earl’s Glass shop in the town of Orange.
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University of Lynchburg to host diversity job fair
The University of Lynchburg, in support of Lynchburg Area Campuses for Equity, or LACE, will host a job fair from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 20 in Hall Campus Center’s Memorial Ballroom.
Admission is free, the public is invited and light refreshments will be served.
The purpose of the event is to increase diversity among faculty and staff at area colleges and universities.
Human resources representatives from the following colleges and universities will be on site to answer questions and help job seekers apply for openings: University of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College, Liberty University, Randolph College, Sweet Briar College, and Virginia University of Lynchburg.
Attendees are asked to bring digital or printed copies of their current résumé, if available. They also are asked to RSVP prior to the event via the LACE website or email.
For more information, email laceofcentralvirginia@gmail.com.
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National Park Service seeks interest in 3 Blue Ridge Parkway facilities
The National Park Service wants to hear from individuals and organizations that are interested in preserving and reusing several historic facilities on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The Park Service has issued a Request for Expressions of Interest for three former concession operations: the Otter Creek Restaurant and Gift Shop in Amherst County, the Rocky Knob Cabins near Meadows of Dan and the Bluffs Lodge in Sparta, North Carolina.
Three virtual question-and-answer sessions will be held:
- Otter Creek: 2 p.m. Feb. 27
- Rocky Knob: 2 pm. Feb. 28
- Bluffs Lodge: 2 p.m. Feb. 29
To receive a link to join a Q&A session, email Rachel Stasny at rachel_stasny@nps.gov. In-person site visits will be scheduled at each facility by late March.
Interested commercial entities can e-mail to request a full copy of the RFEI, including submission criteria. The RFEI is also available on the “Doing Business With Us” page of the Parkway’s website. Responses to the RFEI are due by April 30.