Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP)
Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP)
Customized per project
Virginia workforce grants — 5+ new jobs qualifies
VJIP provides customized cash grants and recruitment/training services to Virginia businesses creating net new jobs or retraining incumbent workers in conjunction with new or expanding operations. Small businesses (≤250 employees) can access the program with as few as 5 new jobs and $100K in capital investment. Reimbursements arrive 90 days after hiring milestones across a typical 36-month performance period.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- State
- Amount
- Customized grant amounts determined by individual project assessment. Factors include average wages vs. local prevailing wage, capital investment, industry sector, and local economic distress level. Small business projects with 5–25 jobs typically receive $25,000–$150,000 in grant funding over 36 months.
- Realistic amount
- Small businesses (5–25 new jobs, $100K–$500K investment) typically receive $25,000–$150,000 in grant reimbursements over…
- Deadline
- Rolling — applications accepted year-round. Company must NOT publicly announce the project before applying.
- Status
- active
- States
- VA
- Payment model
- reimbursement
Who qualifies
- Company must derive at least 51% of revenue directly or indirectly from outside Virginia (basic employer requirement)
- Jobs must pay at least 120% of Federal or Virginia minimum wage (whichever is higher) at entry level
- Must offer standard fringe benefits: company-sponsored or subsidized health insurance plus minimum 40 hours annual PTO
- Only full-time employees qualify (35+ hours weekly, 48+ weeks per year)
- Small Business New Jobs track: minimum 5 net new jobs within 12 months + $100,000 capital investment (companies with ≤250 employees)
- Standard New Jobs track: minimum 25 net new jobs within 12 months + $1,000,000 capital investment (companies with 251+ employees)
- Project must NOT have been publicly announced before VEDP engagement
Hard requirements
- Must be incorporated
- Location restriction: Virginia
- Requires creating at least 5 new jobs
- Minimum project size: $100,000
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Recruitment and advertising costs for qualifying new positions
- Pre-employment assessment and testing
- New employee orientation and onboarding training
- Technical and skills training for new hires
- Customized curriculum development
- Connection to Virginia community college workforce programs
Ineligible expenses
- Seasonal or temporary worker training
- Training for positions already publicly announced before VEDP engagement
- Costs for employees working fewer than 35 hours/week
- Administrative overhead unrelated to recruitment/training
How to apply
-
1
Confidential engagement with VEDP Business Manager
Contact VEDP before making a public location announcement. A VEDP Business Manager meets with the company, assesses needs, and determines eligibility. This step must happen before the Virginia site decision is disclosed publicly.
~4 hrs
-
2
Custom budget development and Secretary approval
The Business Manager develops a customized grant budget based on projected jobs, wages, capital investment, and industry. Preliminary approval from Virginia's Secretary of Commerce is secured.
~8 hrs
-
3
Company confirms Virginia location and finalizes application
After confirming the Virginia decision, the company and VEDP finalize the formal application and commitment letter. The Secretary of Commerce issues final approval.
~5 hrs
-
4
Create jobs and submit reimbursement requests
Company creates qualifying jobs and meets wage/investment milestones. VEDP verifies employment, wages, and capital investment. Reimbursement payments are issued 90 days after each hiring milestone.
~8 hrs
The 'publicly announced' rule is absolute — companies that issue a press release or notify employees before engaging VEDP are permanently disqualified for that project. Call VEDP first, announce second.
Deadline & timing
VJIP will not fund projects that have already been publicly announced. Companies must engage VEDP before announcing a Virginia location decision. Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.