Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin joined local, state, and federal officials in Petersburg on January 9 to mark the progress of the Partnership for Petersburg initiative. The event highlighted achievements since the partnership began in August 2022 and included several new announcements aimed at improving health, economic development, and infrastructure in the city.
Governor Youngkin stated, “Three and a half years since we initiated our Partnership for Petersburg, this city is safer, healthier, and financially stronger than it’s ever been. By bringing together local, state, and now federal governments, alongside our private sector partners, we’ve been able to make a monumental change in the lives of Petersburg residents. Petersburg is a different place than it was when this Partnership began, and I know this community’s best days are yet to come.”
First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin added, “I could not be more grateful for the big hearts of the people of Petersburg. We have witnessed tremendous progress and we are confident this is just the beginning of betterness for a historic and important city.”
Petersburg Mayor Sam Parham expressed his appreciation: “I want to express my deepest gratitude to Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne Youngkin. Governor, thank you for believing in Petersburg and fighting for us each and every day.”
U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner commented on housing improvements: “At HUD, we are focused on expanding affordable housing for hardworking Americans that is safe and free from hazards. Helping communities remove lead-based paint hazards will support Americans in developing or restoring their capacity to improve homes and protect families, especially for young children who are particularly susceptible.”
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. addressed public health challenges: “Petersburg reflects challenges facing communities nationwide. Life expectancy is low, chronic disease is high, and too many families lack basic care. The Make Petersburg Healthy Again project delivers measurable improvements where they are needed most. HHS is proud to partner with HUD and Mayor Parham, whose leadership makes this work possible.”
The event included seven major announcements:
1. HUD introduced a Lead Hazard Reduction Capacity Building grant program making $4.4 million available nationally to help communities control lead-based paint hazards in homes; technical assistance will be provided to Petersburg.
2. The City of Petersburg received $2.8 million from HUD for hazardous lead paint removal from homes along with implementation support.
3. NuVu Real Estate announced plans for a 75-acre data center campus involving over $1.1 billion investment that will create more than 50 permanent jobs.
4. Funding commitments totaling $16.9 million were made for construction of a Crisis Receiving Center and Crisis Stabilization Unit operated by Greater Reach Community Service Board.
5. An 85-unit market rate adaptive reuse development on Bollingbrook Street by Waukeshaw Development will open within six months.
6. Up to $4 million from HHS will fund the Make Petersburg Healthy Again program targeting pediatric asthma through urgent care services, nutrition education, access to healthy foods, environmental health improvements including lead hazard removal.
7. The City signed an updated Industrial Revitalization Grant enabling a grocery store project.
Additionally, Petersburg City Public Schools secured funding through Virginia’s School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP) FY25 for major renovations at Petersburg High School—addressing infrastructure needs identified by state assessments—with total SCAP-eligible awards reaching $27.4 million toward the modernization project budgeted at $91.4 million.
