Southwest Virginia Building Upgrade Program

The Southwest Virginia Building Upgrade Program (SWVA Building UP) is a pilot initiative managed by Appalachian Voices, aimed at supporting energy efficiency improvements for community-serving facilities in the coalfield region of Southwest Virginia. This program reflects a focused effort to address the needs of under-resourced Appalachian communities by providing both technical assistance and direct financial support to eligible organizations seeking to modernize and upgrade their buildings. The initiative aligns with broader regional goals of sustainability, resilience, and health, while emphasizing equity and community impact. SWVA Building UP is designed for nonprofit organizations, municipal and county governments, and small businesses that serve the community in Southwest Virginia. The program supports upgrades to non-residential buildings or mixed-use buildings that include non-residential units. It emphasizes improvements that will yield greater energy efficiency and safety in facilities that serve public functions. To qualify, organizations must be located in one of the following areas: Buchanan County, Dickenson County, Lee County, Scott County, Tazewell County, Russell County, Wise County, or the City of Norton. Eligible applicants will receive no-cost energy audits as a foundational step. These audits will help determine the most effective strategies for reducing energy consumption. Based on the findings of these audits, Appalachian Voices and each participant will agree on qualifying upgrades, for which participants may receive up to $15,000 in financial assistance. Qualifying upgrades include insulation, air and duct sealing, Energy Star windows and appliances, LED lighting, HVAC controls, and heat pump installations. Environmental hazard removal and other health and safety improvements are also eligible. The program includes extensive support such as contractor procurement, financing identification, quality assurance coordination, and overall project management. The application window for the current funding cycle opens on October 1, 2025, and closes on December 31, 2025. Award notifications are scheduled to be released on January 30, 2026. There are no pre-application requirements such as letters of intent or concept papers. Applicants are encouraged to consult the SWVA Building UP Pilot Booklet for further detail and to submit their application through the program’s official portal by the deadline. Program objectives include delivering energy audits and upgrades to at least 15 community facilities and investing a total of $225,000 into participating buildings. These upgrades aim to result in an average energy use reduction of at least 20% across upgraded facilities. Beyond direct investment, SWVA Building UP seeks to demonstrate a replicable model for community-centered energy efficiency programming that could be adopted in other rural and under-resourced areas. Although no specific contact email or PDF link was included in the provided materials, prospective applicants can access additional information and application materials on the Solar Finance Fund's website under the SWVA Building UP section. Appalachian Voices remains the key administrator of the program and will be the primary partner for participants throughout the assessment and implementation phases.

Ensure weatherization is included; Provide specific community benefits; Gather contractor quotes early; Be clear about operational status; Obtain building owner approval if needed