Governor Abigail Spanberger announced $7.3 million in investments through the Virginia Energy Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program to support economic and community development in coal-impacted areas of Southwest Virginia. The five awards will advance job creation, healthcare, emergency services, transportation infrastructure, and improvements at UVA Wise.
The AMLER Program helps coal-impacted communities convert former mine lands into productive opportunities supporting new businesses, infrastructure, recreation, tourism, workforce development, and economic growth. The competitive 2025 funding round drew 16 applications from 14 organizations seeking more than $39.3 million. The awards announced will obligate 91.5 percent of the $7.9 million available.
The largest award, $2.5 million, will go to Russell County to convert 88 million tons of legacy coal waste on a reclaimed mine site into a low-carbon pozzolan product used in green concrete manufacturing. The project is expected to add up to 95 jobs over five years.
Additional awards include $1.6 million to Buchanan County for expansion of Route 460 Connector Phase II from two lanes to four lanes; $1.5 million to the University of Virginia for parking lot expansion and infrastructure improvements at UVA Wise; $1.45 million to Russell County for a rural health clinic in Lebanon; and $250,000 to the Town of St. Paul for construction of a regional emergency services and training facility.
"These new investments will help connect Virginians with steady careers, expand access to essential health and emergency services, improve transportation connections, and put formerly mined land to productive use," Spanberger said.