The Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP) is a discretionary program that provides funding to companies creating new jobs or experiencing technological change to reduce the human resource development costs for new companies, expanding companies, and companies retraining their employees. 

Funding for each net new full-time job created or full-time employee retrained is based on a customized budget determined by an assessment of the company’s recruiting and training activities, as well as the project’s expected benefit to the Commonwealth, and is subject to approval by the Secretary of Commerce and Trade. 

Funding is reimbursable 90 days after the trainee is hired (for new jobs programs) or after the retraining activity has occurred (for retraining programs).

In addition to direct funding to offset a company’s recruitment and training costs, Business Managers offer human resource consultative support at no charge.

Contacts

Tim Stuller 804.545.5733

Eligibility

To determine eligibility, contact VEDP. 

All VJIP programs are limited to companies that create basic employment for the Commonwealth. These businesses or functions must directly or indirectly derive 51% or more of their revenue from out-of-state sources, as determined by VEDP. Qualifying industry sectors include:

  • Corporate HQs
  • Distribution Centers
  • Information Technology
  • Manufacturing
  • Research and Development
  • Shared Service Centers

The project’s average wage compared to the prevailing average wage of the locality, among other criteria, is considered when determining the VJIP grant amount. Only full-time jobs which pay a minimum entry-level wage rate per hour of at least 120% of the Federal Minimum Wage or the Virginia Minimum Wage as defined in the Virginia Minimum Wage Act § 40.1-28.8, whichever is higher, and qualifying for benefits are eligible for funding.

While competition with another state or country is only a criteria for the VJIP New Jobs Program, the VJIP incentive is intended to induce decision making. Therefore, a VJIP incentive will not be approved for a project that has already been announced publicly.

At the discretion of VEDP, jobs may include teleworking positions, held by Virginia residents, who are employees of the recipient company or its affiliates.

Virginia New Jobs Program

This program supports expanding or newly locating Virginia companies that have more than 250 employees company-wide. To qualify for assistance under the Virginia New Jobs Program, a company must be:

  • Considering another state or country for the new location or expansion.
  • Creating at least 25 net new full-time jobs within 12 months from the date of the first hire.
  • Making a new capital investment of at least $1 million associated with the location or expansion.

Small Business New Jobs Program

This program supports expanding or newly locating Virginia companies that have 250 employees or fewer company-wide. To qualify for assistance, a company must be:

  • Creating at least five net new full-time jobs within 12 months from the date of the first hire.
  • Making a new capital investment of at least $100,000 associated with the start-up or expansion.

Workforce Retraining Programs

* The Workforce Retraining Program is currently suspended, however, Virginia may have other programs to address your needs. Contact VEDP for more information.

When the overall annual VJIP budget allows, the Workforce Retraining Program is used to support Virginia companies that are upgrading their existing workforce’s skills. Participating companies must demonstrate that they are undergoing integration of new technology into their production process, a change of product line in keeping with marketplace demands, or substantial change to their service delivery process that would require assimilation of new skills and technological capabilities by their existing labor force. Companies can access the Workforce Retraining Program only once in a three-year period. To be eligible for assistance under the Workforce Retraining Program, a company must be:

  • Retraining at least 10 full-time employees (for businesses with more than 250 employees company-wide) or five full-time employees (for businesses with 250 employees or fewer company-wide).
  • Making a new capital investment associated with the retraining project, within a 12-month period, of at least $500,000 (for businesses with more than 250 employees company-wide) or $50,000 (for businesses with 250 employees or fewer company-wide).

Process

  • A Business Manager meets with the company to gather and analyze information about the expansion or location project, understand the company’s recruitment and training needs, and determine eligibility. The Business Manager will work with the company to begin a VJIP application.
  • A Business Manager develops an estimated budget for the project, taking into consideration the cost of the project’s recruiting and training efforts, the project’s average wage compared to the locality’s prevailing average wage, the competitiveness of the project, the distress level of the locality, the amount of capital investment, other state incentive support, local support, and the project’s industry sector. Preliminary approval is then obtained from the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, and a proposal is developed, if needed, for the company’s consideration.
  • Once the company makes a decision for Virginia, a Business Manager works with the company to finalize a VJIP application. All projects are subject to final approval from the Secretary of Commerce and Trade.
  • Upon approval of the company’s application, VEDP sends the company a commitment letter confirming the amount to be paid to the company for each net new full-time employee hired or existing full-time employee retrained.
  • If desired, a press release is issued and/or an announcement event is scheduled. Although it is not required that economic development projects receiving VJIP funding be publicly announced, the office of the Governor of Virginia appreciates the opportunity to share the good news of business growth in our communities and increase awareness in the community of the company’s presence.
  • Once the company reaches the minimum number of net new hires or retrained employees (according to the program for which they applied), the company submits a Reimbursement Request Form to their Business Manager. The Business Manager continues to work with the company to issue reimbursements until all projected net new hiring or employee retraining has been achieved or until the project performance period is complete, whichever happens first. Employment and capital investment commitments will be verified and monitored by VEDP for the duration of the project.
  • The Business Manager will continue facilitating connections with the appropriate local, regional, and state resources for human capital needs during the company’s VJIP project cycle.

Resources

FAQ

What qualifies as capital investment?

“Capital investment” means an investment in real property, personal property, or both at a facility within the Commonwealth that is or may be capitalized by the company and that establishes or increases the productivity of the manufacturing facility, results in utilization of a more advanced technology than is in use immediately prior to such investment, or both.

How is a full-time employee defined?

"Full-time employee" means a person employed for indefinite duration in a position requiring a minimum of either (i) 35 hours of the employee's time per week for the entire normal year, which "normal year" shall consist of at least 48 weeks, or (ii) 1,680 hours per year. Seasonal or temporary employees shall not qualify as new full-time employees under the program.

How long is the project performance period?

Projects typically last a maximum of 36 months.

How is the three-year waiting period determined for companies wanting to access the Workforce Retraining Program for a second time?

Companies must wait to apply for the Workforce Retraining Program until 36 months after the date of their last reimbursement request from the previous Workforce Retraining Program project.

What is the minimum wage threshold for jobs to qualify for VJIP support?

The project’s average wage compared to the prevailing average wage of the locality, among other criteria, is considered when determining the VJIP grant amount. Only full-time jobs which pay a minimum entry-level wage rate per hour of at least 120% of the Federal Minimum Wage or the Virginia Minimum Wage as defined in the Virginia Minimum Wage Act § 40.1-28.8, whichever is higher, and qualifying for benefits are eligible for funding. 

VJIP Wage Chart