In the Twin Counties, we believe in hard work and helping each other grow. But to build a strong future, people need more than just a job; they need chances to learn, earn and stay in the community they love. That’s why Lifelong Learning and Meaningful Work & Wealth are two of the Vital Conditions for Health & Well-Being that we are reviewing as part of this series about the possible impact of federal funding cuts on our region.
But what happens when the programs that help people learn and find good jobs start disappearing? Right now, that’s the risk we’re facing.
Federal funding for education and workforce development was cut from the new federal budget, and the impact will hit rural communities like ours the hardest. These cuts threaten the very programs that help people in Galax City, Carroll County and Grayson County finish school, learn new skills and find jobs that support their families.
The median household income is $46,900 in Galax, $42,700 in Grayson and $53,700 in Carroll, all falling far below Virginia’s average of over $89,900. Our region cannot afford to lose investments in good education, workforce development and job opportunities.
These numbers aren’t just statistics; they’re signs that people here are working hard but still struggling to get ahead. And now, the programs that help close those gaps are at risk.
The recently passed federal budget called for over $1 billion in cuts from workforce development programs. These programs help people earn GEDs and finish school, get job training and certifications, learn trade and technical skills, and connect with employers and apprenticeships.
People and services in our community have already been impacted: in March layoffs at the health department due to more than $1 million in federal funding cuts resulted in community health workers and nurses in our community being laid off — over 10% of the district’s staff lost their jobs overnight.
In our region, these services are supported by local organizations that are part of the Twin Counties Rural Health Network, including Rooftop of Virginia, which offers Head Start and family support; District Three Governmental Cooperative, which supports older adults with job access and training; Willing Partners and God’s Storehouse, which provide job readiness and support services; and Twin County Regional Healthcare, which partners with schools and training programs to grow the local health workforce.
These organizations rely on federal funding to keep their programs running. Without it, fewer people will be able to finish school, learn a trade or find a job that pays the bills. That means more families stuck in poverty, and fewer reasons for young people to stay in the Twin Counties. In addition, we already know kids in our community miss school to work to help their families pay their rent — how much worse might this get in the future?
The Twin Counties are resilient, but we need support
Over the past several weeks, we’ve shared how the Vital Conditions for Health & Well-Being shape life in the Twin Counties. These are not abstract ideas. They are the day-to-day realities of housing, transportation, work, learning, health, belonging, safety and the natural environment we depend on.
Federal funding touches each of these areas. It supports the clinics that care for our children, the schools that prepare our future workforce, the housing programs that keep families safe, the transportation that connects us and the natural resources that make our communities strong.
When these funds are reduced or redirected away from rural areas, the impact will be felt across every corner of our communities. Services will shrink. Wait lists will grow. And even those who do not directly rely on these programs will feel the effects, whether it’s through slower emergency response times, higher strain on the hospital and clinics, or fewer opportunities for economic growth.
This is why it matters that we make our voices heard. Decisions about funding may happen far away, but the results are felt right here at home.
Every resident can help by reaching out to local and state leaders. Ask them to prioritize the needs of the Twin Counties when they make decisions about budgets. Remind them that rural Virginia is a vital part of the Commonwealth, and we deserve the same attention and investment as any other part of the state.
The Twin Counties Rural Health Network, with more than 40 local organizations, continues to work to improve these vital conditions in our community. But if we cannot support the organizations that provide these programs and services because we have lost federal funding, we lose more than money — we lose the future we’re trying to build.
The authors:
Sandy Bryant, Mount Rogers Community Services
Meagan Helmick, Mount Rogers Health District
Melissa Munton, Ohlen R. Wilson Health Center
Terri Gillespie, Rooftop of Virginia
James Werth, Jr., Tri-Area Community Health
