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2025 Session

Budget Amendments - SB800 (Floor Approved)

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Eastern Shore Economic Development Enhancements

Item 101 #3s

Item 101 #3s

First Year - FY2025 Second Year - FY2026
Commerce and Trade
Economic Development Incentive Payments FY2025 $10,000,000 FY2026 $0 GF

Language
Page 104, line 21, strike "$100,022,331" and insert "$110,022,331".

Page 108, after line 9, insert:

"V.1.a. Out of the amounts in this item, $10,000,000 the first year from the general fund is for economic development enhancements on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.  Of the amounts in this paragraph, $5,000,000 is provided to facilitate marine transport access to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island.  The Virginia Port Authority shall administer a dredging project to create a navigable water channel for transport of rocket components and other uses to serve all commercial partners at the spaceport until longer term solutions are implemented to ensure that the Virginia spaceport remains competitive.  To the extent determined to be cost effective and practicable, the project should include shoreline stabilization to reduce the need for future dredging.

b. The Director, Department of Planning and Budget, is authorized to transfer  moneys from this paragraph on a quarterly basis to the Virginia Port Authority. The Virginia Port Authority shall verify to the Secretary of Finance and the Director of the Department of Planning and Budget estimated quarterly expenses prior to the release of these funds.  

c. The Virginia Port Authority may collaborate with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Virginia Spaceport Authority, commercial partners at the spaceport, and any federal, state, or local agency as may be necessary to complete the marine transport access project.

2. Of the amounts in this paragraph, $5,000,000 the first year from the general fund is provided to Accomack County to establish natural gas infrastructure expansion into Accomack County.  The funding may be applied to engineering, land, right-of-way, permitting, and other related costs to facilitate natural gas delivery to Accomack County.

3. Any funding remaining at the end of either fiscal year from this paragraph shall be reappropriated for the same purpose until project completion."



Explanation

(This amendment provides $10.0 million GF the first year to enhance economic development of the Eastern Shore. Of the funding, $5.0 million is directed for the Virginia Port Authority to conduct a dredging project to facilitate marine transport access to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island. This investment will serve all commercial partners at the spaceport until longer term solutions are implemented, ensuring that the Virginia spaceport stays competitive. Further efforts are provided for through support of $5.0 million for Accomack County to establish natural gas infrastructure expansion.)