Griffith Attends $1,950,000 AMLER Check Presentation in Grundy

Previously, the Virginia Department of Energy awarded the Buchanan County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) a $1,950,000 Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) program grant. The AMLER funds support construction of a two-story commercial office space at the Southern Gap.

Today, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) attended a check presentation for the AMLER funds.

Following the event, Congressman Griffith issued the following statement:

"Buchanan County is using AMLER funds to reinvigorate the local economy, attract businesses and drive regional investments.

"I considered this project so important that I drove to Grundy from Washington, D.C., after voting to reopen the government at 8:30 pm last night.

"This AMLER grant for nearly $2 million helps the Buchanan County IDA pursue a construction project that provides rentable commercial space and housing to potential residents and businesses in Buchanan County."

BACKGROUND

In January 2024, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and Rep. Griffith made the announcement for this AMLER award.

Administered by the Virginia Department of Energy, AMLER projects include but are not limited to infrastructure improvements and site redevelopment. Such work may also include cleaning up gob piles and taking down high walls to make the area safe and developable.

As the leading advocate in Virginia for the AMLER program, Rep. Griffith was instrumental in ensuring the inclusion of the Commonwealth in the Abandoned Mine Land (AML) pilot program, now known as AMLER. Since then, Southwest Virginia has been able to obtain tens of millions of federal dollars.

This year, Rep. Griffith testified to a Congressional panel to protect funding for the AMLER program.

Last year, Rep. Griffith successfully added an amendment to the Interior Appropriations bill to make the AMLER program run more effectively.

In 2024, AMLER awarded $10 million to projects in deep Southwest Virginia.

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