Latest news with #CentralVirginia
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
LISC VA updates City Council on wealth-building work in Petersburg, future projects
A representative of nonprofit LISC VA delivered a presentation during Petersburg's June 3 City Council meeting, outlining the significant financial services that the nonprofit provides to the community. LISC, which stands for Local Initiatives Support Corporation, supports community development in cities and rural areas. "We provide job training, digital literacy and financial training services as well as job placement and workforce training," LISC's Program Officer for Housing and Capacity Building, Jonathan Adkins-Taswell, previously told The Progress-Index. The nonprofit also provides grants, loans and expertise to help construct affordable homes, businesses and community centers. It approaches its investments in communities through four key pillars: affordable housing, wealth building, economic development and lending, she said. 'We're one of the country's largest community development nonprofits,' LISC Executive Director Jane Ferrara told City Council on June 3. '…The essence of our work is moving capital and expertise — investing in people and places to grow authentic and lasting economic opportunity.' LISC recently celebrated its 35-year anniversary serving the Central Virginia Region, Ferrara told meeting attendees. During that time, the nonprofit has invested over $200 million in the region through grants, loans and other resources, she said. These investments have been 'leveraged to almost $800 million of investment supporting 6,900 affordable homes and apartments and 1.1 million square feet of commercial space,' Ferrara said. Most of LISC's wealth building work within communities occurs through its financial opportunity centers, Ferrara told meeting attendees. These centers aim 'to provide a full suite of financial coaching services to individuals to promote wealth building and financial stability,' Ferrara said. 'The core services are employment training, financial education and benefits access.' The nonprofit has a total of five financial opportunity centers in the state, including one in Petersburg that is run by LISC's partner, Southside Community Development Housing Corporation. 'Over the last few years, we have served 309 Petersburg residents' through this center, Ferrara said. Among other initiatives, the financial center recently launched a Smart Savings program, an asset building program in which participants are encouraged to open savings accounts that are then matched by LISC. The center also offers a digital inclusion program in partnership with Virginia State University. 'Basically we train VSU students to be in the community teaching fundamental, foundational and practical laptop and internet skills,' Ferrara said. 'That would include job searches, telehealth, access to resources and those types of things.' In the last two years, 120 Petersburg residents have graduated from the program and received a free laptop from LISC upon graduation, she said. Got outdoor activities planned for Juneteenth? Forecasters predict dicey weather LISC's longest-standing affordable housing initiative is it's Partners for Neighborhood Renewal program. In Petersburg, LISC's PNR program aims to use targeted investments to breathe new life into Petersburg's historic Poplar Lawn neighborhood in partnership with local nonprofits. The initiative builds on a 2014 assessment by the Cameron Foundation, which surveyed hundreds of structures in the Poplar Lawn and Folly Castle historic districts. The findings spurred a three-pronged local PNR approach to restore the neighborhood's historic character and boost property values: helping current homeowners with visible repairs, renovating and filling vacant multifamily buildings with quality rental housing and restoring abandoned single-family homes to sell to new buyers. 'We have done some intensive investment in the Poplar Law historic district focused on renovating historic homes to stabilize the neighborhood,' Ferrara said. 'We have so far improved 14 homes… So we're pretty excited about a decade of improvement in that neighborhood over the last few years.' Two years ago, LISC also started a home ownership program to help community members 'achieve their dream of becoming homeowners,' Ferrera said. 'Specifically, we were interested in working with those folks that had experienced historical barriers to achieving home ownership,' she added. '…It has allowed us to assist aspiring homeowners with down payment assistance, housing counseling and a variety of other services…' In Petersburg, LISC has assisted 79 families through this program over the last two years, Ferrera said. 68 have become homeowners since 2023, she added. 'We've also deployed 120,000 downpayment assistance grants and housing counseling services through our partners,' Ferrera said. '…we're seeing real significant results around the region in terms of helping people become homeowners.' Petersburg crowd braves rain, joins others across nation in 'No Kings' anti-Trump protests LISC has also been providing economic development services to Petersburg's residents for at least five years, Ferrara said. 'We've been providing low cost capital to small entrepreneurs, particularly Petersburg entrepreneurs, with a 0% business loan program through a relaxed capital access and pairing it with technical assistance, through the small business development program,' she said. 'Thus far in the city of Petersburg, we have provided $415,000 in 0% interest loans to businesses across across the city.' Lending is also core to LISC's mission, Ferrara told meeting attendees, primarily in its goal of making capital accessible to those who might not otherwise qualify for traditional loans. 'For the most part, we finance affordable housing, economic development and community facilities,' she said. Moving forward, LISC is working on launching several new initiatives in Petersburg. Among them, the nonprofit plans to establish additional home buyers programs throughout the city to provide more community members with important home ownership education. LISC also plans to set up a new heirs property services program to assist families with heirs' property issues, primarily those involving land inherited without a will or clear legal documentation of ownership. The program will offer community members with a range of support services to help families keep their land. Want to help out? You can donate to LISC through their website, Petersburg Biz Buzz: New exquisite wine bar, bridal boutique relocates Questions? Interested in participating in some of these programs? Contact LISC VA at infovirginia@ This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Nonprofit briefs Petersburg City Council on local work, plans ahead Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Virginia Republicans pick radio host to run alongside Winsome Sears in race to replace Youngkin
Conservative Richmond radio host John Reid will be the Republican nominee for Virginia's lieutenant governorship, after running unopposed in Tuesday's statewide primary election. Reid was the only man left after Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity – the rare Republican officeholder in the vote-rich but heavily Democratic Washington, D.C. metro -- bowed out of the contest last month citing health reasons. Reid has been a well-known Republican voice in central Virginia, previously serving on the Henrico County Republican Committee, as a delegate to the RNC in 2024 and as a top staffer to former Sen. George Allen, R-Va. Reid will join current Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears on the Republican ticket this fall, while Attorney General Jason Miyares joins them too in running for re-election. Gop Hopeful Earle-sears Unveils 'Axe-the-tax' Plan In Virginia Governors Race Reid has centered his campaign on a unity message to "grow" the GOP in a state where the political divide is numerically narrow, but marked in that Democrats are often the favored line in statewide elections. Read On The Fox News App The first point of his campaign message on his website centered around education versus "indoctrination." "His focus is on ensuring that our educational system imparts knowledge and critical thinking skills, not political bias, preparing students for success in a diverse world instead of creating radical activists," read a line on his website. On the hot topic of immigration, Reid's campaign said the candidate is "dedicated to enforcing immigration laws, not allowing localities to ignore them." His campaign also objected to "obliterating" U.S. heritage by conserving landmarks. Winsome Earle-sears Announces Va Gov Bid To Build On Youngkin Record: It's 'All About Business' Reid's campaign did run into a short-lived controversy when the former pundit – the first openly gay man to run statewide in Virginia – was subjected to lewd photos of himself being posted online. Reid denied any connection with the Tumblr account in question, but the controversy led some Republicans to briefly call for him to drop out. Reid, Earle-Sears and several top Virginia Republicans converged on Richmond Tuesday night to celebrate the primary winners across the board, including in the General Assembly's lower chamber. Democrats currently hold a two-seat majority in the 51-49 Virginia House of Delegates, where Republicans hope to make the narrow gains necessary to take control in November. Republicans face a tough road in that respect, and are defending several seats, particularly along the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike corridor that were won by former President Joe Biden, former Vice President Kamala Harris – or both. One such member is Del. Kim Taylor, R-Petersburg, who flipped a "Biden+12" district in 2023 in what is the commonwealth's most-Democratic municipality per-capita. Dels. David Owen, R-Goochland, Carrie Coyner, R-Hopewell, and Amanda Batten, R-Williamsburg, all hold seats in Democrat-friendly territory. Miyares is running unopposed in Tuesday's attorney general primary, and Gov. Glenn Youngkin is article source: Virginia Republicans pick radio host to run alongside Winsome Sears in race to replace Youngkin
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Pinpoint Weather: Scattered storms tomorrow with an isolated severe threat
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — A few showers or storms may linger across the region into the overnight hours. Conditions will be mild with lows in the mid 60s under mostly cloudy skies. We will likely begin the day tomorrow with mostly cloudy skies and a few showers around. Into the afternoon, temperatures will warm up in the upper 70s to mid 80s under a mix of sun and clouds. With a frontal boundary still over the region, there will be the chance for hit or miss showers and storms in the afternoon to early evening hours. The best coverage for storms will likely be along and east of the blue Ridge. A few storms may be strong to severe as there is a Slight Risk (2/5) outlined over the Piedmont with a Marginal Risk (1/5) elsewhere. The main threat will likely be damaging wind gusts; however, hail and an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. The area with the best chance for severe storms will be from Central Virginia to Southside. As another front swings through, a few showers and storms will be possible late in the day Monday into the night where an isolated storm or two may be strong to severe with damaging wind gusts. A Marginal Risk (1/5) for severe weather is outlined over the region. Isolated storms remain possible on Tuesday before drier air moves in Wednesday into Thursday where weather conditions will just be warm with sun and clouds. Temperatures will remain warm in the 80s, getting close to 90 degrees by Friday. Storm chances return during the end of the week as well. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Pinpoint Weather: Mostly dry and quiet start to June
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — A few isolated showers and storms are possible on Saturday afternoon. Calmer and drier conditions are expected across Southwest and Central Virginia for the end of the weekend. A few fast-moving showers and storms may pass through Saturday afternoon. Otherwise, a mix of sun and clouds will be overhead. Wind gusts up to 40 mph are possible. Highs will range from the upper 60s to the 70s. Winds will diminish overnight. Expect a chilly Sunday morning. Temperatures will start in the upper 30s and 40s. Mostly sunny skies are slated for the day with temperatures rising into the near-average upper 60s and 70s by the afternoon. A few showers are possible near the Virginia—North Carolina line during the afternoon, but rain coverage will be isolated. High pressure will provide quiet weather for the first half of the new week. Monday will feature plentiful sunshine with highs in the 70s. Tuesday and Wednesday will be mostly clear, but also noticeably warmer. Each day, afternoon temperatures will reach the summer-like 80s. A front will approach from the west during the second half of the week. Showers are possible on Friday, but rain chances are expected to increase during the upcoming weekend. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Pinpoint Weather: Rain returns for the end of the week
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR)—A storm system will bring scattered showers to Southwest and Central Virginia for the end of the week. Isolated thunderstorms are possible. Thursday will be cloudy and cool with afternoon highs in the 50s and lower 60s. Spotty light rain showers are possible in the morning, but there's a greater chance of rain during the afternoon and evening. You may hear some rumbles of thunder, but the severe risk is very low. There will be a lull in the rain activity overnight Thursday into early Friday morning. More rain will move through Southwest and Central Virginia on Friday. Scattered showers are likely with isolated storms possible. Highs will be in the 50s. Between Thursday and Friday, rainfall totals will range from 0.5-1.5″. A few rain showers may switch to snow showers Friday night in areas west of the Blue Ridge. West-slope snow showers may persist into Saturday. Overall, little to no accumulation is anticipated. For Saturday, spotty light rain showers cannot be ruled out. Otherwise, the day will be cooler and blustery. Wind gusts up to 30 mph are possible. The northwest winds will keep the region cooler. Afternoon temperatures will reach the 40s and 50s under mostly cloudy skies. Drier weather is anticipated across the region on Sunday. Partly to mostly sunny skies are expected with breezy winds blowing through. It will be slightly warmer with afternoon temperatures reaching the upper 50s and 60s. Noticeably warmer conditions are slated for Monday. A southwest breeze will carry warmer air into Southwest and Central Virginia. Afternoon highs will be in the 70s under a mix of sun and clouds. The warm-up will be brief; a cold front on Tuesday will allow cooler conditions to return by the middle of next week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
