The GO Virginia Region 6 Council has approved a $100,000 GO Virginia Planning Grant to the Middlesex County Economic Development Authority to advance planning for a proposed Marine Industries Workforce Training Facility project in Middlesex County. The grant will support a comprehensive feasibility study focused on strengthening the region’s marine industry workforce and identifying opportunities for future business growth and investment.
The Middlesex County Economic Development Authority (EDA) was recently awarded a $1,595,720 U.S. Department of Transportation Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant to support infrastructure on approximately 20 acres of waterfront property owned by the Middlesex County EDA. The GO Virginia planning grant will be part of a larger effort that will assess industry demand, workforce needs, facility requirements, and long-term operational sustainability for a regional marine industries training and commerce hub.
The initiative aligns with Region 6’s priority industry clusters, including Aquaculture, Seafood, Commercial Fishing and Marine Industries, as well as Manufacturing, and is supported by the Region’s 2025 Growth and Diversification Plan, which outlined strategies.
