Overview:

• Purpose of the TROF Grant program is to provide performance-based monetary grants to localities in Virginia’s tobacco producing region (as defined by the Commission) to assist in the creation of new jobs and investments, whether through new business attraction or existing business expansion.
• These grants are at the Commission’s discretion.
• Grants are evaluated in a manner consistent with the goals of the Commission and amounts are awarded commensurate with the project’s impact on the community and/or region in which the project is locating. 
 
• Evaluation of award amount is consistent throughout the region and is based on the following criteria: local unemployment rates, prevailing wage rates, number of new jobs, capital investment levels, industry type and the possibility of related economic multiplier effect.
 
• TROF is the only Tobacco Commission grant program paid at the beginning of the project to help tobacco region localities be competitive in attracting new investment and jobs resulting in increased tax revenue and opportunity for quality employment in the tobacco region.
 
• Since these are performance-based grants, the Commission monitors performance and requires repayment of full or pro-rated grant amount if performance agreement is not met.

Goal:

• Intended to support the goal of the Commission to “revitalize the economies of tobacco dependent regions and communities.” This goal is measured by job creation, workforce participation rate, wealth, diversity of economy, and taxable assets. All measurements listed are increased when a new or expanding business in the tobacco region creates new jobs that pay more than prevailing wage and adds taxable assets to the local tax rolls.   

TROF Online Application

Applications accepted at any time.

Performance Agreement

Must be executed within 90 days of award of the grant.

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