Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Grant (EID Grant)

The Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Grant (EID Grant) is designed to incentivize companies to locate new maritime-related employment centers or expand existing centers to encourage growth of facilitate cargo growth at The Port of Virginia. EID Grants are administered by the Virginia Port Authority. For additional program information, refer to Growth Incentive Grants . Contact Britni Sherrill Virginia Port Authority 757.683.2173 bsherrill portofvirginia.com Eligibility Applicants must meet the definition of a qualified company, which is defined as a business entity that meets the following criteria: Locates or expands a facility within the Commonwealth. Creates at least 25 new, permanent full-time positions at a facility within Virginia from commencement of the project through the first full year of operation or during the year when the expansion occurs. Is involved in maritime commerce or exports or imports manufactured goods through The Port of Virginia. Is engaged in one or more of the following: distribution, freight forwarding, freight handling, goods wholesaling of goods exported and imported through The Port of Virginia; shipbuilding and ship repair; dredging; marine construction; or offshore energy exploration and extraction. Pays a minimum entry-level wage rate per hour of at least 1.2 times the federal minimum wage or the Virginia minimum wage, as required by the Virginia Minimum Wage Act (§ 40.1-28.8 et seq.), whichever is higher. A qualified company that has received an EID Grant may be eligible for a second EID Grant if it meets all of the following three criteria: Locates or expands an additional facility in a separate location, as determined by the Virginia Port Authority, within the Commonwealth. Creates at least 300 new, permanent full-time positions at the additional facility over and above those agreed upon in the company's original MOU with the Virginia Port Authority. Increases cargo volumes through The Port of Virginia by at least 5% from the additional facility, not including any volume increase resulting from the original grant. An otherwise qualified company that claims a grant from the International Trade Facility grant program may not receive an EID Grant for those previously claimed jobs. Process The Virginia Port Authority will serve as the responsible agency for administering the Economic and Infrastructure Development Grant Program through the evaluation of applicants and disbursement of funds at its discretion. An eligible qualified company must pre-apply to the Virginia Port Authority between September 1 and October 31st in the year preceding the general application period by submitting a pre-application form found on the Port of webpage: https://operations.portofvirginia.com/grants Within 45 days of the close of the pre-application period, each pre-application form must be reviewed and scored by the Incentive Grant Review Committee (IGRC) The pre-application scoring is considered against the following criteria and description: Infrastructure Investment - Grant applications from companies making substantial infrastructure investments in the Commonwealth, such as the development of new port-related facilities or upgrades to existing ones, will be prioritized for their potential to catalyze economic growth, enhance logistical capabilities, and improve the competitiveness of the Commonwealth’s transportation network. Job Creation - Grant applicants demonstrating the ability to create time job opportunities within the port ecosystem will be prioritized for their contribution to long-term economic vitality and community welfare.

Eligibility Applicants must meet the definition of a qualified company, which is defined as a business entity that meets the following criteria: