Griffith Announces Two EDA Grants Totaling $710,000 Supporting Mount Rogers Planning District Commission

The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded $710,000 to the Mount Rogers Planning District Commission. One EDA investment of $210,000 supports the development and implementation of an economic development framework. A second EDA investment of $500,000 will fund the hiring of an economic recovery coordinator to help in the region. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

"The Mount Rogers Planning District Commission serves Bland, Carroll, Grayson, Smyth, Washington and Wythe Counties, as well as the Cities of Bristol and Galax.

"These EDA investments for $462,000 help the Commission address natural disaster and economic development issues that affect the regional economies."

BACKGROUND

The $210,000 grant was administered through the Economic Development District Planning grant program.

The $500,000 grant was administered through the natural disaster supplemental package that Congress passed in the American Relief Act of 2024. Congressman Griffith supported the spending package as he continually advocated for it to include disaster relief.

An economic recovery coordinator will work as part of a larger economic recovery coordination team to help with project planning, grant writing and contract negotiations will help produce technical assistance, planning and management of disaster relief projects in Lebanon, Virginia.

Both grants are designed to strengthen regional economies and attract private investments.

In April 2025, Congressman Griffith met with the heads of planning district commissions based in Southwest Virginia.

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