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 announces grants for site remediation and redevelopment
Five localities have received a total $1.5 million in site remediation grants from the Virginia Brownfields Restoration and Economic Redevelopment Assistance Fund.
A news release from the governor’s office listed these recipients:
- Danville-Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority: $500,000 for site remediation at the Southern Virginia Megasite.
- Town of Vinton: $500,000 for the redevelopment of the former Gish Mill property into a mixed-use development.
- Roanoke County: $208,862 for remediation of asbestos in a vacant office complex to redevelop into mixed-use space.
- Town of Altavista: $198,518 for abatement of asbestos and other hazardous materials at the former Vista Theatre to rehabilitate the theater and add commercial space.
- Patrick County: $92,620 for remediation of asbestos in a former hardware store to renovate the facility into a business development center.
Three additional applicants also received $50,000 each in assessment and planning grants: Bedford County, Charlottesville and the West Piedmont Planning District Commission, for the town of Bassett.
Established in 2011, VBAF is a partnership between the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Department of Environmental Quality and is administered by the Virginia Resources Authority.
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Lynchburg seeks applications for arts district grant program
The city of Lynchburg’s James River Arts and Cultural District Program has opened applications for 2025.
The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. March 28, according to a news release from the city.
The program is intended to help fund events, activities, promotions or displays that enhance arts and culture in the district. It’s supported by amusement taxes collected by arts organizations in the district.
The application and supporting documents are available online. First-time applicants are encouraged to email Mauresa Nenadovich with the city’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism or call 434-941-2369 for additional support.
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Weekly show featuring nonprofits to launch in Roanoke
Buzz4Good, in partnership with The Spot on Kirk and United Way of Virginia’s Blue Ridge, will present a new 30-minute weekly talk show featuring regional nonprofits.
“BUZZ LIVE!” will be presented on Thursday nights in February at The Spot on Kirk in downtown Roanoke in front of a live studio audience. Each show will also be livestreamed to Facebook and YouTube(@buzz4good) and later broadcast on Blue Ridge PBS, according to a news release about the program.
Buzz4Good creator Michael Hemphill and former “Living Local” TV host Kianna Price Marshall, who is vice president of advancement at the United Way of Virginia’s Blue Ridge, will talk with people who serve, and are served by, nonprofits in the Roanoke Valley. Each show will feature a musical guest affiliated with a local nonprofit.
Guests are scheduled to include the Franklin County NAACP and Masterpiece Alliance, with musical guest Bryan “Harvest Blaque” Hancock, on Feb. 6; Apple Ridge Farm and Healing Strides of Virginia, with musical guest Keith Allesi, on Feb. 13; Huddle Up Moms and United Way of Virginia’s Blue Ridge, with musical guest Alma Ensemble, on Feb. 20; and RAM House and Angels of Assisi, with musical guest Jack Hinshelwood, on Feb. 27.
Admission is free. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the show will start at 6 p.m.
