Governor Glenn Youngkin announced today that Franklin County, in partnership with STEP, Inc., has been awarded a $100,000 planning grant through the Virginia Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The funding will support planning for the expansion of STEP’s programs, including day-school, Head Start/Early Head Start, and the LIFES Academy.
STEP, Inc. will use the grant to explore renovating its Rocky Mount facility and potentially expanding into two recently closed elementary schools in Franklin County. This expansion will provide more space for essential services benefiting low- and moderate-income families in the area.
“We’re grateful for this grant, which allows us to plan for the future and expand our services for local families,” said Michael Armbrister, Executive Director of STEP, Inc. The planning will include community engagement and partnerships with local nonprofits to ensure efficient service delivery.
Project Timeline:
- June/July 2024: Application submission to DHCD
- February 2025: Notice of Award
- Feb–Apr 2025: Community engagement and consultant procurement
- Feb 2026: Project closeout and construction application preparation
Governor Youngkin also announced over $23.6 million in CDBG funding for 33 projects statewide, reinforcing the commitment to local community development and economic growth.