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The City of Suffolk secured significant state funding during the recent General Assembly session to advance key local projects, including a new workforce development center and a regional homeless shelter.

During a city council work session overview of the 2025 General Assembly, Mindy Carlin, CEO of Access Point Public Affairs and the city’s legislative liaison, highlighted these funding achievements during the May 21 work session.

The Camp Community College Workforce Trades and Innovation Center, being constructed at 612 East Carolina Road, is aimed at “strengthening the talent pipeline specifically in maritime infrastructure, logistics and warehousing,” Carlin said. Suffolk had sought $750,000 in state funding to support the city’s share of this partnership. 

“We were very pleased to be able to work with members of our delegation and others in the general assembly to get support for our requested $750,000 in state funding,” Carlin stated. This effort was a priority in the previous session but was not achieved at that time. “We’re very happy this session resulted in securing that funding,” Carlin added. 

In addition to the workforce center, the city requested a budget amendment to support the Western Tidewater Regional Homeless Shelter. This project is already leveraging ARPA funding and local funding. The city was able to secure an additional $500,000 in state funding for the shelter “with the support of our delegation members,” Carlin reported. 

These funding successes were listed among the city’s primary priorities for the session. Carlin presented a summary slide indicating wins for both the Workforce Trades and Innovation Center and the Western Tidewater Homeless Shelter.