June 1 forum focuses on how federal programs are helping Newport News residents
Mayor Phillip D. Jones is traveling to Washington, D. C. on Thursday, June 1, to participate in the “Communities in Action: Building a Better Virginia” forum at the White House. Jones is joining other local elected officials and community leaders from across the Commonwealth to meet with senior leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration at this half-day forum hosted by the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.
“It is an honor to be invited back to the White House,” said Mayor Jones. “Having a seat at the table on the national level like this is vital to bringing more federal dollars to Newport News. I am committed to elevating our city and working with our national leaders to gain support for the work that is being done and needs to be done here in Newport News to improve the lives of our citizens.”
“Communities in Action” is a series of events that brings local elected official and community leaders to the White House to discuss how leaders are using federal dollars to create opportunities and improve lives. At the forum, participants and senior administration leaders will also discuss how the administration will continue to partner with states and local governments, labor leaders, businesses, non-profits, and healthcare leaders to leverage historic federal investments to create and expand opportunities for working families in Virginia.
In addition to $67 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds, Newport News has received over $144 million in additional federal monies over the past few years which has been used to improve in areas such as the Choice Neighborhood Initiative grant, childcare, gun violence intervention, transportation infrastructure, small business and workforce development, childhood education and mental health.