Virginia senators secure $1.9M for community development in Bland, Stuart, and Lee County

On Thursday, Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced $1,900,000 in federal funding for three projects in Bland, Stuart, and Lee County.

The funding, courtesy of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), will go towards building a dental clinic in Bland, investing in downtown revitalization projects in Stuart, and improving water service to 38 homes in Lee County.

“Communities across Virginia have tremendous momentum, ideas, and initiative for projects that will improve their towns and grow their economies, and they often just need the resources to execute them,” the senators said. “We’re thrilled to see federal funding meet clear needs and bring better dental care, water service, and community improvement projects to life to help communities grow and thrive.”

Funding is as follows:

• $700,000 for the Town of Stuart for downtown revitalization projects, including expanding the roof at the Stuart Farmers’ Market and building a 3,200 square foot “mega-deck” downtown to provide handicap accessibility to historic buildings, allow for outdoor programming and connect the area to surrounding natural resources. Twenty-nine businesses in the area will benefit from this mega-deck, according to the senators.
• $700,000 for the St. Charles Monarch Waterline Replacement project in Lee County. According to the senators, this project will replace 9,970 feet of aging waterline, install 4 gate valves, and place 1 fire hydrant, which will improve water service for 38 homes.
• $500,000 for the Bland Ministry Center and Dental Clinic in Bland. This will support the construction of a dental clinic with seven dental procedure rooms, sterilization space, and x-ray and denture labs. This new clinic will double capacity for dental service in Bland and surrounding counties, serving an additional 3,600 patients within three years and hiring seven additional staff members, the senators said.

Warner and Kaine have previously supported efforts to improve clean water access across Virginia, expand access to dental care, and invest in downtown revitalization.

In 2023, the senators announced over $62 million for water infrastructure upgrades across the Commonwealth, secured $1.25 million to construct a dental clinic in Wise County, and celebrated grants to support economic revitalization. Additionally, the senators are staunch advocates for full funding for the ARC.