Governor Glenn Youngkin, State Senator Joe Morrissey (D-Richmond), Delegate Kim Taylor (R-Dinwiddie), and Petersburg Mayor Samuel Parham announced the Partnership for Petersburg on Monday. The partnership is an effort to help poverty-stricken Petersburg by improving education, health care, public safety, transportation, economic growth, and relationships between the community and leaders.
“Today, we formally launch the Partnership for Petersburg, a holistic partnership bringing more than 40 initiatives under six separate pillars to make a significant difference in the lives and livelihoods of Petersburg’s great people as well as the economic health of the city itself,” Youngkin said in a statement to the press. “It is my sincerest hope to be able to point to the Partnership as a model for our work with other cities across the Commonwealth.”
The administration’s presentation highlights challenges for the city: Petersburg students have an average of 23 weeks of learning loss in math and 21 weeks of learning loss in reading due to COVID-19. Petersburg citizens live 12.9 years less than the average Virginian. Cancer rates are 42 percent above the state average. Violent crime is 344 percent higher than the state average, and homicides are 900 percent higher. There’s a lack of parking downtown, limiting access to commuter bus and transit. Exits on interstates are “potentially less-than-optimal.”
According to the presentation, some Republican priorities are included within the partnership, with lab schools and increased law enforcement presence as part of the solution. Other elements of the partnership include expanded passenger rail service through Petersburg, collaborations with health providers to improve health literacy, and working with faith and community organizations.
“The Partnership for Petersburg is the right initiative at the right time for our city,” Petersburg Mayor Samuel Parham said in the statement. “Petersburg is at a turning point in history with the many economic development and community enhancement projects underway and in planning with the support of Governor Youngkin, the General Assembly, and the Commonwealth. Our City is positioned to capitalize on opportunities that will bring positive change for generations to come. On behalf of the citizens of Petersburg, City Council, and the City team, I thank Governor Youngkin for creating this innovative and unparalleled partnership.”
Cabinet officials joined local officials and community leaders in praising the initiative in a separate Youngkin release.
“We look forward to working together with Richard Bland College, our community partners, the school board and Superintendent of Petersburg public schools along with the faculty, staff, and parents to form a lab school solution that will work for the greater good of the youth in the community,” President of Virginia State University Dr. Makola Abdullah said.
“The Y is excited to expand our partnership with Petersburg and the Commonwealth to provide quality, affordable child care to area children and families. Every day we work to strengthen the foundations of our communities. The last couple of years have made it quite clear that access to preschool and before and after school care are foundations to our children’s well-being and development, their families’ livelihood, and our communities’ economic and social vitality. We are grateful for this opportunity to extend our commitment to ensuring that these programs and services are open to all,” President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Richmond Abby Rogers said.
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Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Glenn Youngkin” by Glenn Youngkin.Â
