2025 Partner Profiles
Our Commonwealth Partner
Virginia Housing
Since its creation in 1972 by the Virginia General Assembly, Virginia Housing has helped Virginians attain quality, affordable housing through public-private partnerships with local governments, community service organizations, lenders, realtors, developers and many others. Virginia Housing provides mortgages for first-time homebuyers, as well as financing for apartment communities and neighborhood revitalization efforts. They offer free homebuyer classes, support housing counseling, and help people with disabilities and the elderly make their homes more livable. They also administer the federal Housing Choice Voucher and Housing Credit programs in Virginia. Virginia Housing is self-supporting and receives no state taxpayer dollars to fund its programs. Instead, they raise money in the capital markets and contribute a significant portion of their net revenues each year to help meet Virginia’s housing needs.
Website: https://www.virginiahousing.com/
Our Virginia Partners
American Farmland Trust
American Farmland Trust is a national conservation organization dedicated to “saving the land that sustains us.” We work across the policy, research, education, and direct support fields to protect farmland, promote sound farming practices, and enhance economic viability for farmers and agricultural communities. In addition to AFT’s national work, we also engage at the regional, state, and local levels. In Virginia, we work closely with partners and farmers on a variety of issues. One effort that we’re especially excited about is our “Planning for Agriculture in Virginia” project, which is creating resources to help local leaders and planners envision a better, stronger future for farming in their communities. Guided by an expert advisory committee of Virginia leaders and nationally respected experts from American Farmland Trust, the project is highlighting proven tools that conserve agricultural land, serve and support local farmers, and advance farming-focused economic development. We are proud to support the Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions and look forward to continuing our engagement with members across the Commonwealth.
Contact: Brooks Lamb, blamb@farmland.org
Website: https://farmland.org/
Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) aids in the long-term development of a chronically depressed multi-state region, which includes 25 counties and eight independent cities in Virginia. Virginia’s ARC funding fosters economic development and improves the quality of life for our Appalachian citizens, investing in water and sewer service to communities, workforce training for skilled trades and professionals, regional economic restructuring efforts, and heritage and cultural tourism. The 2024 Strategy Statement establishes goals, objectives, and priorities for Virginia’s ARC Region; implementation enables the Commonwealth to meet the diverse and changing needs of our Appalachian region.
Contacts: Tamarah Holmes, Ph.D, tamarah.holmes@dhcd.virginia.gov
and Bill Hartley, bill.hartley@dhcd.virginia.gov
Website: https://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/vaarc
Dewberry
Dewberry is a leading, market-facing firm with a proven history of providing professional services to a wide variety of public- and private-sector clients. Recognized for combining unsurpassed commitment to client service with deep subject matter expertise, Dewberry is dedicated to solving clients’ most complex challenges and transforming their communities. Established in 1956, Dewberry is headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, with more than 60 locations and 2,500 plus professionals nationwide.
Contact: Leslie Mantiply, PE, lmantiply@Dewberry.com
Website: https://www.dewberry.com/
EMPOWER Broadband Inc.,
EMPOWER Broadband Inc., is a wholly owned broadband subsidiary of Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative (MEC), who has proudly served rural Southside Virginia and northern North Carolina for over 85 years. EMPOWER Broadband, established in 2018, provides middle-mile capacity, retail high-speed internet service, as well as voice over IP telephony, high-speed data services, and advanced cloud-based solutions throughout portions of rural Southside Virginia and northern North Carolina. Over the next four years, EMPOWER will expand its broadband network to 3,000 miles of fiber line and pass over 35,000 homes and businesses in an effort to help close the digital divide in our rural communities.
Contact: 434-636-2274 EMPOWER@meckelec.org
Website: https://www.empowermec.net/
RiverStreet Networks (RSN)
RiverStreet Networks (RSN) began as an extension of Wilkes Communications, a telephone cooperative in Wilkes County, NC. After more than 70 years of providing telecommunications services and enhancing Wilkes County with an all active, Fiber To The Home (FTTH) network Wilkes Communications wanted to continue the trend of access to High-Speed Internet in Rural America by branching out. RSN was awarded $32 million in CAF Phase II (Connect America Funds) for 77 high-cost census block groups. Additionally, RSN was awarded over $41 million in the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) in 2022. In the recent DHCD VATI rounds, RSN was awarded over $146 million in grant funds. With the funding received so far in Virginia, RSN will install the latest generation FTTH network across 16 Counties. In addition to these Federal and State Funds, RSN and their County partners have secured over $141 million. The total FTTH network is estimated to cost in excess of $360 million to build over 6,800 route miles of fiber that will pass more than 78,000 locations. RSN is dedicated to excellence in customer service and adding value to the lives of our customers and the communities we serve.
Contact our Business Development Team: bizsales@myriverstreet.net.
Website: https://myriverstreet.net/business-solutions/?t=b&loc=1321 or myriverstreet.net
TIMMONS GROUP
Founded in 1953 in Richmond, VA, Timmons Group specializes in providing infrastructure engineering and planning services to state and local government agencies across Virginia. Timmons Group delivers multi-disciplinary services that cover the wide range of project needs for our clients starting with long-range planning and grant application assistance to engineering design and project implementation. Recognized for more than 30 years as one of Engineering News Record’s Top 500 Design Firms, Timmons Group works with public and private clients for infrastructure and development projects of all sizes. Our clients receive more than just the best engineering, technology, and professional services available – Timmons Group provides an integrated team of in-house professionals including engineers, surveyors, planners, environmental scientists, landscape architects, economic development specialists, GIS applications developers, and construction managers – all available to work as an extension of your staff. Our specialized market sector expertise makes us trusted advisors and valuable consultants on our clients’ projects, from conception through completion.
Contact: Thomas Ruff, PE, PTOE, AICP, thomas.ruff@timmons.com
Website: https://www.timmons.com/
VACORP
VACORP is here for you. We know the risks you face. Established in 1993 at the request of Virginia counties seeking an alternative insurance program, we are a comprehensive risk management program that addresses all sources of potential risk for Virginia political subdivisions. Now, VACORP provides coverage to more local governmental entities and agencies than any other provider. Because of our strength in numbers, we provide you with predictability of risks and stability of pricing. This gives you peace of mind. We are here for you, whenever you need us.
Contact: Kathleen Guzi, KGuzi@riskprograms.com
Website: http://www.vacorp.org/
Virginia Resources Authority (VRA)
VRA provides innovative and cost-effective financial solutions to meet the infrastructure needs of communities. From water and sewer improvements to transportation and public safety projects, VRA is available to assist local governments and regional authorities with affordable financing for all their capital improvement needs. Since its inception in 1984, VRA has provided over $11 billion of financing for approximately 3,000 infrastructure projects across Virginia.
Contact: Stephanie Jones, SJones@VirginiaResources.org
Website: https://www.virginiaresources.gov/
Virginia Risk Sharing Association (VRSA)
VRSA is here to protect our members and their employees so they may effectively serve their communities.
We are committed to financial strength to ensure stable rates. VRSA is also committed to easing our members’ worries. We do this by scanning for emerging risks arising out of new challenges or changed circumstances, keeping our members informed, and developing a dedicated, professional staff. Our comprehensive coverages, and robust tools and resources allow members to proactively manage their risk.
Contact: Peter Stephenson Email: pstephenson@vrsa.us
Website: https://www.vrsa.us/