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The Navy may soon invest up to $400 million to provide housing for sailors in Newport News, according to state and local officials, and the investment comes as the state approves spending $40 million to start the project. He said it may depend on whether they do so.
Newport News spokeswoman Kim Bracey told the Daily Press that the Navy has identified up to $400 million that could be used to build new facilities to house sailors. Bracey said the state would need to contribute up to 10 percent to cost-sharing projects to secure this funding. She said the investment is “vital to downtown revitalization efforts.”
Rep. Marcia S. “Sia” Price, D-Newport News, said Gov. Glenn Youngkin would “provide $40 million in state funding to build infrastructure for resident seafarer housing and care.” He introduced amendments to the two-year budget bill. Newport News when a vessel is under construction, overhaul, or undergoing maintenance at a shipbuilding facility. ”
Price said the investment in housing will allow seafarers to not only work in Newport News, but also make a living on the ship.
“All of being stationed somewhere and not feeling like you’re part of the community can be very taxing on people,” Price said. “And in response, the Navy, the city of Newport News, the shipyard and the state are trying to be creative with some of the things we can do to improve their quality of life.”
The Navy did not respond to calls seeking details about what the homes might contain. Last year, the Navy launched a major effort to improve the quality of life for sailors, including increasing off-base housing options. The effort followed a wave of Hampton Roads-based sailor suicides and a comprehensive investigation that concluded the Navy had neglected its personnel on an individual and organizational level.
Newport News officials hope that if Price’s amendments are included in the final state budget, the investment could help both improve the quality of life for seafarers and revitalize downtown. ing.
“This budget amendment is a top legislative priority for the City of Newport News,” Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones said in a statement. “As a Marine, I am deeply aware of the critical importance of improving the quality of life for our sailors. Additionally, this initiative is a critical investment in Newport News and an ongoing project.” We are deeply grateful for the unwavering support of our state and federal delegations as we strengthen our downtown revitalization efforts.”
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Price, who lives in downtown Newport News, said the $400 million investment could include more sailor housing, as well as beautification of the downtown area and other infrastructure improvements.
“Depending on the scope of what we can achieve, I think it has the potential to be a real game-changer for some areas that have been largely ignored for many years,” she said.
The Price amendment, which allocates $20 million for fiscal years 2025 and 2026, was adopted as part of the House proposal. Sen. Mamie Locke (D-Hampton) also proposed a budget amendment that would have earmarked up to $40 million for fiscal year 2025, but it was not included in the Senate’s plan.
Both the House and Senate signed amendments to the two-year budget last month. The job of negotiators is to come up with a compromise budget based on the two spending plans. This process primarily takes place behind closed doors with designated meeting attendees. Mr. Locke is one of the participants in the Senate meeting. For that to happen, the amendment would need to be included in the final budget bill, which would then need to be signed by the governor.
Mr. Price also introduced a bill that the House and Senate passed that would allow local governments to offer unique benefits to businesses seeking to locate in military-centered community zones to meet the needs of military personnel. Price said many military members don’t live in areas with many amenities, so this bill could provide an incentive to bring businesses and their amenities to military-centered communities like Newport News. said.
The Navy’s potential investment is one of many ways Newport News hopes to improve its downtown area.
“We’re in talks with the Navy, we’re in talks with Newport News Shipyards, but the short answer is we need to build more aircraft carriers,” Jones told the Daily Press. he said in a recent interview. “That will require an additional 3,000 to 5,000 sailors. And the question becomes where to homeport them.”
Jones said the city has a “once in a lifetime opportunity” with downtown Newport News.
“I think if we can bring all of downtown to fruition, it will unlock the greatness of Newport News,” he said.
Josh Janney, joshua.janney@virginiamedia.com
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