Virginia jobs investment program: a talent resource

VJIP support is limited to companies that create basic employment for the Commonwealth, meaning the business must derive at least 51% of its revenue directly or indirectly from outside of Virginia, as determined by VEDP. To determine eligibility, please contact VEDP.

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 are eligible for funding. The overall project average wage must also meet or exceed the prevailing average wage (PAW) or 85% PAW for distressed localities, for the locality in which the project is locating or expanding. 

While competition with another state or country is only a criterion for companies with more than 250 employees company-wide, 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.

New Jobs Programs

VJIP New Jobs Programs are a vital component of Virginia’s support of new and existing businesses, both small and large.

VJIP New Jobs Programs can support the following industry sectors:

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

Virginia New Jobs Program

This program supports newly locating or existing Virginia companies that have more than 250 employees company wide. To qualify for assistance, 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 location or expansion.

Workforce Retraining Programs

When the overall annual VJIP budget allows, VJIP Retraining Programs support Virginia companies that need to upskill their existing workforce. 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.

VJIP Retraining Programs can support the following industry sectors:

• Manufacturing
• Distribution Centers

Retraining Program

This program supports existing Virginia companies that have more than 250 employees company wide. To qualify for assistance, a company must be:

• Considering another state or country for the capital investment
• Retraining at least 25 full-time jobs directly associated with capital investment
• Making a new capital investment of at least $1 million directly associated with the retraining efforts within a 12-month period

Small Business Retraining Program

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

• Retraining at least five full-time jobs directly associated with the capital investment
• Making a new capital investment of at least $100,000 directly associated with the retraining efforts within a 12-month period  

A company may access VJIP support for new job creation or retraining, but not both. A company must wait three years from the date of the VJIP Retraining reimbursement before it can access the program again. 

• 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 an application for the VJIP program.
• 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 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 an application for the VJIP program. 
• Upon approval of the company’s application, VEDP sends the company a performance agreement confirming the amount to be paid to the company for each net new full-time employee hired or existing full-time employee retrained, according to company projections for the VJIP program.
• 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.
• For New Jobs projects, once the company reaches the minimum number of net new hires, the company submits a Reimbursement Request Form to its Business Manager. The Business Manager continues to work with the company to issue reimbursements until all projected net new hiring has been achieved or until the project performance period is complete, whichever happens first. Employment, wages, and capital investment commitments will be verified and monitored by VEDP for the duration of the project.
• For Retraining projects, once the company completes the entire retraining activity and a year has passed since the VJIP Retraining application date, the company submits a Reimbursement Request Form to its Business Manager. VEDP will verify the project has met its capital investment and wage requirements before issuing payment.
• The Business Manager will continue facilitating connections with the appropriate local, regional, and state resources for talent development needs during the company’s VJIP project cycle.

Access to downloadable forms for the VJIP program. Forms are provided for reference only. To determine exact eligibility, contact VEDP.

Incentives Policies and Procedures

Post Performance Report 

Within Performance Report 

Code of Virginia 

VJIP New Jobs Application 

VJIP Retraining Application