Spanberger Secures More Than $6 Million In Federal Funding For VA-07: Here’s How It Helps

US Rep. Abigail Spanberger secured funding for all 10 counties in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District. 

When you hear the amounts of money in local, state, and even federal budgets, the sums can seem astronomical. What do the millions, billions, and trillions of dollars go toward? How is that money broken up? What will your community receive from the funds?

US Rep. Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, recently took to Twitter to explain some of the allocations her area received. The congresswoman serves Virginia’s redrawn 7th District from Caroline County north to Dale County. Spanberger is the first woman to serve in her capacity in the district’s history. 

A Second Chance

For many people, $1 million dollars would be like winning the lottery. For individuals in the Henrico area, the allocation is just as important — it serves as the beginning funds toward a second chance. The money will go toward a new 24/7 detox center, with current opening plans set for 2024. 

Spanberger secured the funds through the House of Representatives’ Community Project Funding program, designed to support locally planned projects as part of the yearly appropriations process. President Joe Biden signed the funding into law on March 16, granting all 10 counties Spanberger represents with a piece of the federal funding pie. The amount exceeded $6.4 million for the area. 

The necessity for an area detox facility rose with the coronavirus pandemic. By mid-November 2020, overdoses in the Henrico area eclipsed the previous year’s total numbers by 41%. 

Central Virginia news station NBC12 obtained Henrico Police data for the number of overdose calls that dates back to 2017. When the data began, 290 individuals made that call. In 2020, that number rose to 496 overdose calls. In 2022, there have already been 96 overdose calls made, 20 of which resulted in a fatality. 

“The Henrico County Detox and Recovery Center will address a critical gap across the greater Richmond area by providing 24-hour access to services for our neighbors struggling with addiction,” Spanberger tweeted on March 26. “I was proud to work with local officials to secure $1 million for its construction.”

The 20,000 square foot center’s projected total cost is between $12 million and $13 million. 

More To The Story 

According to a press release by Spanberger’s office, the investments she secured and the ones Biden signed into law will help create new jobs, expand healthcare and treatment services, foster economic growth, address longstanding infrastructure needs, increase recreational opportunities, and improve public safety. 

One of those projects will take place in Amelia County, which exhibited a need for a new circuit clerk court’s office. A total of $375,000 will head toward the project, which will renovate a former Wells Fargo building. 

Spanberger tweeted that the funds would “improve public safety, keep the clerk’s office staff out of harm’s way, and protect the Virginians that keep Amelia County safe.”

The Carver Center in Culpeper County, formerly a school for Black students during segregation, also received federal funds. The 1948 structure currently serves as a community center, and the $200,000 secured will go toward replacing the historic building’s roof.

The representative also announced funding for the revitalization of Booster Park in Orange County. The $122,590 allocation will go toward repairs to the field, practice facility, and concession stand. In addition, she secured $150,173 for the construction of a new recreational trail in Powhatan County.

Additional federally funded projects include:

• $1.8 million to expand the Motts Run Water Treatment Plant in Spotsylvania County
• $1 million to improve drainage along Otterdale Rd in Chesterfield County
• $923,937 for an aerial ladder fire truck for the Blackstone Volunteer Fire Department
• $775,000 for affordable housing in Louisa County

$15,000 for local nonprofit GoochlandCares to increase access to healthcare in Goochland County