Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin marked the third anniversary of the Partnership for Petersburg with several announcements at the Petersburg Public Library. The event, attended by city officials including Mayor Sam Parham and Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, highlighted new investments in health, infrastructure, and community revitalization.
The Partnership for Petersburg began on August 22, 2022, bringing together state, local, private, and nonprofit groups to address issues facing the city. “Petersburg today is safer and healthier, financially stronger, serving students better and providing greater opportunities for people,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Three years ago, we came together in this room to forge a covenant between state, local, private, and non-profit partners to work together to lift up the spirit of a beautiful Virginia city. Today is a celebration of the progress made together and a recommitment to continue this Partnership.”
A $3 million partnership was announced with Civica to produce affordable insulin at a life sciences facility in Petersburg shared with Phlow and Novo Nordisk. This production aims to reduce insulin costs for many Virginians and Americans.
The Governor also stated that an additional $7.5 million from the Department of Conservation and Recreation will go toward projects aimed at reducing flooding risks in Petersburg. This brings total flood resilience funding under his administration to $12.5 million.
Event participants pledged ongoing support for the partnership by signing a pledge wall at the library. Later, officials visited the Travel Inn site slated for demolition with support from the Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF).
First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin recognized community members she calls her “FLOVA Friends” who have contributed to local progress through roles in schools, public safety, nonprofits, and faith organizations. “The Partnership for Petersburg started with a radical idea — seeding resources, encouragement, volunteerism, commerce and care into an at-risk community to make it stronger and more viable,” said First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin.“Today, we see the manifestation of those good works in many of the programs, progress and people of Petersburg. It has been my honor to play a small part in this big undertaking and to witness positive change.”
Mayor Sam Parham expressed gratitude: “I want to express my deepest gratitude to Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne Youngkin. Governor, from the first time you visited Petersburg, you didn’t just see our challenges- you saw our potential. You listened, you acted, and you’ve stood shoulder to shoulder with us. Your dedication and the commitment from the Partnership for Petersburg team have been truly extraordinary. On behalf of the citizens of Petersburg, I thank you.”
Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears reflected on collaborative efforts: “Three years ago, we made a promise- not just to stand with Petersburg, but to build with her. Today, we celebrate not just progress but partnership…This anniversary isn’t the end—it’s the foundation for what comes next.”
Among other initiatives noted were increased access to rental housing development through over $39 million in financing supporting hundreds of units; expanded transportation services including multimodal centers; enhanced educational programming such as after-school tutoring; improved health services; significant reductions in fatal drug overdoses; modernization projects like upgrades at Ettrick Train Station; job fairs; grants supporting blight removal; funding for flood preparedness infrastructure upgrades; new business investments; support for maternal health services including doula care; mobile command units for public safety improvements; gang violence intervention programs; vision screening programs reaching students; food distribution partnerships serving thousands of meals annually; increases in bus ridership following facility expansions; rail service growth on key routes resulting in over 110% ridership increase since 2022.
These developments reflect ongoing collaboration among government agencies—including substantial federal grant allocations—local leadership participation in planning commissions focused on housing priorities—and engagement by nonprofit organizations working directly within schools or delivering critical health interventions.
