By Debbie Hall
The Reynolds Homestead in Critz has been recommended for a $700,000 grant to support development of a 1,500-square-foot Shared-use Kitchen and Agribusiness Incubator facility.
The funding is part of $8.4 million in grants announced Aug. 27 by Gov. Abigail Spanberger through Virginia’s Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) program.
“The governor’s recommendation does not guarantee funding — the final funding will be approved and announced by the federal director of the Appalachian Regional Commission, and grant awards will be announced later this year,” Julie Walters-Steele, director of the Reynolds Homestead, said.
The Reynolds Homestead Shared-use Kitchen and Agribusiness Incubator 2026 project is a partnership between the Reynolds Homestead and the Virginia Tech Foundation.
“The new kitchen, to be located adjacent to the Reynolds Homestead Community Engagement Center, will meet needs expressed by community members who seek cooking and food preservation
instruction as well as a space for entrepreneurs interested in prototyping agricultural-based food products, or developing or expanding food establishments including restaurants, food trucks and catering services,” Walters-Steele said.
“We are excited about the opportunities this project will provide to residents in our region,” she added.
The recommended funding is among 22 projects across Southwest Virginia that would support infrastructure improvements, job creation, small-business development, downtown revitalization and workforce development.
“I’m feeling positive about our chances to receive full funding. We had 10 letters of support with our grant including four from individuals who want to use the kitchen to prototype new products, or to create or expand a new food-based business,” Walters-Steele said.
“Our next step is to work with” the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) “to complete any additional federal paperwork and make any recommended modifications,” Walters-Steele said.
The DHCD works with localities and stakeholders to develop projects for consideration by the state and federal ARC.
“If we do receive full funding, we will be able to move forward with architectural and engineering drawings, followed by Virginia Tech putting the project out to bid, then selection of a contractor.”
Once a contractor has been selected, construction is expected to take 12 months or more, “depending on weather and other factors,” Walters-Steele added.
According to the state, the projects collectively are expected to serve 1,240 businesses, provide 11,500 households with new or improved infrastructure and create 58 jobs.
“With these new investments, we are strengthening the foundations of local economies, expanding workforce opportunities and good-paying jobs, and improving the quality of life for families across Southwest Virginia,” Spanberger said. “I am proud to support these efforts and am grateful for the regional leaders, organizations, and residents who continue to build a stronger future for Appalachia.”
The Appalachian Regional Commission program is a federal-state partnership designed to support economic development in the 13-state Appalachian region. Virginia’s ARC region includes 25 counties and eight independent cities in Southwest Virginia.
“The 2026 awardees represent some of the most innovative and high-value proposals we’ve seen,” said Tamarah Holmes, Ph.D., DHCD director. “Our team works closely with applicants to ensure projects are strong, strategic, and responsive to regional needs, from infrastructure to entrepreneurship to downtown revitalization.”
ARC grants support projects involving business development, workforce training, infrastructure, cultural and natural assets and community capacity building. Other regional projects recommended for approval include $700,000 for the City of Galax’s Rex Theater Revitalization Phase II and $1 million for a passenger rail station in Christiansburg.
