On July 21, 2022, Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) Commissioners and staff gathered with state and local representatives at the HRSD James River Treatment Plant in Newport News to break ground on the first full-scale Sustainable Water Initiative for Tomorrow (SWIFT) facility.

SB756 (sponsored by Senator Lewis) and HB1309 (sponsored by Delegate Bulova) created the Resilient Virginia Revolving Fund effective July 1, 2022. By statute, VRA will financially administer and manage the Fund with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). The Fund shall be used to make loans or grants to local governments to finance or refinance the cost of any resilience project. Loans and grants may also be made from the Fund to a local government that has developed a funding program to provide low-interest loans or grants to any persons of the Commonwealth eligible for projects for resilience purposes.

York County borrowed $32.2 million from the spring 2022 Virginia Pooled Financing Program issuance pool for several capital projects. The County secured the 20-year loan with a lease revenue pledge. Theresa Owens, York County Director of Finance, had this to say about the financing: “It is great to work with VRA again. They always make the financing process seamless while securing very competitive rates. This was especially important considering these are some of the largest projects we’ve done in the past few years.”

The Western Virginia Water Authority (Authority) and Roanoke Gas Company (Roanoke Gas) have entered into a cooperative agreement to produce commercial quality renewable natural gas, or RNG, from biogas produced at the Roanoke Regional Water Pollution Control Plant (WPC Plant). This RNG product, the first of its kind in the Commonwealth, will necessitate construction of a digester gas conditioning system and interconnect facility at the WPC Plant. Representatives from the Authority, Roanoke Gas and the community broke ground on this phase of the project on May 17, 2022.

Governor Glenn Youngkin appointed Greg Campbell as the Director of the Virginia Department of Aviation effective February 14, 2022. By statute, the Director of the Department of Aviation serves as an ex-officio member of VRA’s Board of Directors.

Governor Glenn Youngkin appointed Shawn Crumlish as VRA Executive Director in April of 2022. Before his appointment, Shawn served as Director of Financial Services and held other positions at VRA for over 16 years. During this time, he was involved with various transaction types, including water, wastewater, transportation, and economic development, and implemented several new funding programs with state agency partners. He received his undergraduate degree from James Madison University and a master’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.

At more than 20 years old, Lunenburg County’s current radio system is outdated and has limited operability, requiring a full-scale system replacement.

The Town of Strasburg has secured financing from VRA for a new project involving the replacement of water lines, and an expansion of a road that will increase ease of access to the Northern Shenandoah Business Park. The Town pledged its General Obligation, or full faith and credit, to borrow $2.39 million through the Virginia Pooled Financing Program to be repaid over 20 years.

Dr. Charlette T. Woolridge has over 30 years of executive management experience in local and state government. She was appointed Greensville County Administrator effective August 9, 2021. Prior to that, she served as the county administrator for the County of Brunswick since April 2006. Prior to joining Brunswick County, she spent 17 years working in various senior-level positions for the City of Richmond.