Local Assistance Division Spring 2025 Newsletter

Spring 2025

Local Assistance Division Newsletter

Featured Local Project

Carroll County – Wildwood Commerce Park

VDOT's Local Assistance Division is proud to highlight a recent economic development investment in Carroll County. On February 28, 2025, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that Oasthouse Ventures Ltd. will be investing $104.8 million to construct its first U.S.-based controlled environment agriculture operation in Carroll County. Oasthouse Ventures Ltd. is a leading sustainable business development firm in the United Kingdom specializing in low-carbon greenhouses. Over the next three years, the company will produce and package over 45 million pounds of tomatoes for distribution to major retailers throughout the Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest United States. The project will initially create 118 new jobs and provide significant economic growth and new opportunities for the residents in and around Carroll County.

The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) on May 16, 2012, awarded a $650,000 Economic Development Access (EDA) grant to Carroll County for the construction of an access road into Wildwood Commerce Park. The County successfully completed the EDA project, and used additional time provided by the CTB and General Assembly to attract an eligible business – Oasthouse Ventures Ltd. -- to Wildwood Commerce Park.

Information about the EDA program can be found by clicking the button below. For any questions, please reach out to Jonathan Liss.

Economic Development Access Program Website

Outreach & Training

2025 Local Programs Workshop

The 13^th Annual Local Programs Workshop will be held September 16 - 18, 2025 at Hilton Norfolk The Main, in Norfolk, Virginia. This annual workshop provides an excellent learning and networking opportunity to discuss the delivery of the local transportation program. The workshop is intended for local public agency staff that have oversight of locally administered projects or work with projects receiving special funding from various programs, as well as consultants and VDOT staff who are involved in locally administered projects. More information on the 2025 Local Programs Workshop will be posted as available on the Local Programs Workshop webpage.

Locally Administered Projects Qualification Program

Final Opportunity to Register for May 30th

Qualification Program Class

In 2019, VDOT established the Locally Administered Projects (LAP) Qualification Program to provide a consistent method of training to help determine the Local Public Agency’s (LPA) readiness to administer federal-aid projects. All LPAs who administer a federally funded/federally eligible project are required to have at least one full-time staff who has completed the LAP Qualification Program in “responsible charge” of the project.

The next Qualification Program instructor-led session is scheduled for May 30, 2025. This session will be conducted virtually through Zoom. Please note that you must complete the self-paced online modules prior to attending the instructor –led, virtual session. The self-paced modules will take eight to 10 hours to complete.

To register for the May instructor-led session please click on the button below. Space is limited and early registration is encouraged. More information on the Locally Administered Projects Qualification Program can be found on the Locally Administered Projects Qualification Program webpage.

Changed Jobs Since Getting Your QP Certification? Let Us Know!

The Qualification Program certificate follows the individual who holds it. If you have changed employers, please be sure to complete the Qualified Status Update Survey by clicking this link here Qualification Program Status Update Survey This will help ensure that your current email address is on file so you can be notified when it is time for renewal.

Funding Program Updates

Revenue Sharing Pre-Applications

Due May 30th!

Pre-applications for Revenue Sharing funding are due on May 30th. The pre-application is a requirement for any applicant planning to seek funding through the full application process later this summer. Information about the program and a recording of the pre-application webinar are available on the Revenue Sharing Program website.

Important dates:

April 1 – May 30, 2025: Pre-application submission window
August 15 – September 15, 2025: Full application submission window

Transportation Alternatives Pre-Applications Due May 30th!

Pre-applications for Transportation Alternatives funding are due on May 30th. The pre-application is a requirement for any applicant planning to seek funding through the full application process later this summer. Information about the program and a recording of the pre-application webinar are available on the Transportation Alternatives webpage.

Important dates for Transportation Alternatives:

April 1 – May 30, 2025: Pre-application submission window
August 15 – September 15, 2025: Full application submission window

A Spotlight on Federal Grant Funding Opportunities

The USDOT and FHWA offer several competitive grant programs to fund various types of transportation projects and activities.

Bridge Investment Program:

Large bridge project (over $100 million) grants: August 1, 2025 closing date
Planning and other bridge project grants: October 1, 2025 closing date
Bridge project grants: November 1, 2025 closing date

For more information on all of FHWA’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act grants, visit the Competitive Grant Programs webpage.

Project and Policy Updates

Environmental Division Updates

Coming Soon! The VDOT NEPA Manual

VDOT’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) manual is expected to be distributed and publicly posted at the end of May. The requirements, policies and procedures are not new but rather consolidate various governance documents and guidance into one manual. The NEPA manual will replace some NEPA Instructional and Informational Memoranda (I&IM) and upon issuance, those I&IMs will be decommissioned and removed from the Environmental Division’s Technical Guidance webpage. Once the NEPA manual is posted, an announcement will be distributed through another email communication to our locality partners. Questions related to the manual should be directed to your respective District Environmental Manager or designee.

United Sates Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) Consultant/Contractor Requirements Reminder

On December 6, 2024, the USFWS Virginia Field Office updated its online project review submittal process. VDOT issued a memorandum noting that a VDOT staff member must be included in the project review submittal. Specifically, the consultant/contractor shall copy the appropriate VDOT environmental staff member when submitting the complete and accurate project review package to USFWS. This guidance was provided by the Virginia Field Office to meet the updated requirements. Please note that the project review submittal package will not be reviewed by USFWS unless a VDOT environmental staff member is included in the project review submittal communication.

New Local Assistance Division Staff

Dr. Unwanna Dabney – Assistant Division Administrator | Policy and Performance

After 20 years, Unwanna Dabney returns to VDOT as the Assistant Division Administrator for Policy and Performance in the Local Assistance Division. With over 25 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, she brings a wealth of expertise to her new role. Unwanna has led successful transportation planning initiatives across the globe, guiding local, regional, state, and federal agencies in the development and implementation of comprehensive infrastructure plans, programs, and projects.

Her extensive background spans multiple states, including Virginia, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Ohio, Texas, Tennessee, South Carolina, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Unwanna has successfully managed multimodal and multidisciplinary projects from inception to completion. Additionally, her nearly 10 years at the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) have equipped her with invaluable knowledge in compliance, policy development, process documentation, and training.

Unwanna is a Certified Planner and holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from South Carolina State University, a Master of Public Administration from Old Dominion University, and a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, and relaxing with her dogs while streaming Netflix.

Ruby Davies – State Programs Analyst

Ruby Davies has moved into a new role as State Programs Coordinator for the State Programs team, having previously worked as a Program Analyst for the State Programs team.

Kirk Millikan – Federal Programs Manager

Kirk Millikan joins the Local Assistance Division as the new Federal Programs Section Manager. Kirk is rejoining VDOT after working at the Federal Highway Administration’s Virginia Division Office as an Area Engineer. He began his career in VDOT's Core Development Program (now called the EDGE Program) and worked for ten years at VDOT including six years in the Richmond District Office and four years in Central Office. Kirk earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Virginia and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Virginia. Outside of work, Kirk enjoys taking public transit, eating pretzels, learning about local history, identifying the bird that just flew by, and planning what to wear during his next marathon.

Jay Scarborough – Transportation Program Coordinator

Jay Scarborough joins the Local Assistance Division as a Transportation Program Coordinator. Jay earned a Master of Public Policy degree from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst in 2022 and a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications from Virginia Commonwealth University. Previously Jay served as a Federal Grants Program Coordinator for the New Hampshire Bureau of Trails, overseeing the NH Recreational Trails Program. Through the NHRTP Jay worked with a broad spectrum of New Hampshire trails user groups to facilitate trail building, maintenance, and improvement projects on both public and private lands. Outside of work Jay spends his time enjoying the outdoors with his son, traveling, and working on art/photography projects.

Local Assistance Division Website