Richmond, VA - The City of Richmond's Office of Minority Business Development is launching Government Contracting Made Simple, a free four-week training series aimed at helping small and minority-owned businesses better understand and engage in the government contracting process.

The sessions will be held Tuesday evenings-July 15, July 22, July 29, and August 5-from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Richmond Public Library - Main Branch Auditorium, located at 101 E. Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Participants are encouraged to attend all four sessions for the full benefit of the program.

The interactive series will guide participants through key elements of government procurement, including:

1. Reading bid solicitations -bid review.
2. Conducting interviews with government buyers
3. Understanding the GCMS strategy
4. Implementing the GCMS strategy
5. Writing competitive proposals

"This series is designed to bridge the gap between opportunity and access," said Patricia Foster, Director of the Office of Minority Business Development. "Our goal is to equip Richmond's small and minority-owned businesses with the knowledge and confidence needed to succeed in the government contracting arena."

The initiative is presented in partnership with Building Blocks for Success, Level III, and the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency. Registration is required. To register please click here or contact debbie.jackson2@rva.gov or lisette.johnson@rva.gov.

The City of Richmond’s Office of Opioid and Substance Use Response (OOSUR) has launched a new harm reduction initiative aimed at preventing overdoses and supporting residents living with substance use disorders. As part of this effort, harm reduction vending machines are being installed at key locations across the city.

These machines will provide free, 24/7 access to life-saving resources such as naloxone (Narcan), fentanyl test strips, and personal hygiene items. The initiative is designed to reduce barriers to care, increase health equity, and ultimately save lives.

“This life-saving program is about meeting people where they are, with compassion and dignity,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “Harm reduction vending machines are a proven tool to prevent overdose deaths and connect individuals with the support they need. Richmond is proud to be among the cities leading with science, safety, and humanity.”

Key features of the vending machines include:

• Free, anonymous access to supplies
• Round-the-clock availability
• QR codes linking to treatment, recovery, and support services
• Strategic placement in neighborhoods most impacted by overdose

Newly hired Opioid Response Strategist Anna Jones of OOSUR, emphasized the importance of reducing stigma and expanding access for residents saying “People deserve to be safe and supported, no matter where they are in their journey. These vending machines are not just about supplies; they’re a bridge to care, to hope, and to healing.”

The first machines are now operational at Marshall Plaza (900 E. Marshall Street) and Southside Plaza (4100 Hull Street). An additional machine will be installed at East End Library (1200 N. 25^th Street) later this month, with additional units planned for installation later this year based on data and community input.

For more information and updates, visit https://www.rva.gov/human-services/opioid-response.  

Richmond, VA - The City of Richmond is proud to announce the appointment of Angie Rodgers as Director of Economic Development.

Rodgers joins Richmond from Prince George's County, Maryland, where she served for the past five years as the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Economic Development, overseeing 10 county agencies including neighborhood revitalization, business attraction and retention, small business support, lending and incentives, tourism, and workforce development.

"Angie brings decades of experience in community-building and economic development," said CAO Odie Donald II. "There is no question that Richmond is ripe with economic opportunity. In Angie, we will have a trusted leader who can harness that opportunity in a way that uplifts our community, continues to raise our City's profile, and injects economic vibrancy into our communities."

Prior to Prince George's County, Ms. Rodgers was the Chief of Staff for the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development for Washington D.C. responsible for the budget, policy, and operations of an 85-person agency overseeing real estate development, business development, and revenue bond activities.

"Richmond has something for everyone," said Rodgers. "From its beautiful scenery to a wonderful food and beverage scene and a host of historical and cultural landmarks, there is so much to love about the River City. It is an honor to join the Economic Development team; I look forward to doing my part to create a thriving, equitable business landscape that benefits all Richmonders and am grateful for the opportunity to do so."

"Odie and I are thrilled to have Angie on board," said Mayor Avula. "She brings the expertise and clear vision we need to attract, build, and retain business here in Richmond. I'd like to also extend my deepest gratitude to Matt Welch, who has done an incredible job as Interim Director of Economic Development for the past year."

Rodgers will officially take her position on August 4.

In response to the ongoing opioid crisis and the growing need for comprehensive substance use prevention and recovery services, the City of Richmond is proud to announce the creation of the Office of Opioid and Substance Use Response (OOSUR). 

This newly established office will serve as the central hub for coordinating the City’s efforts to reduce the impact of substance use disorders across the community. Housed within the Human Services Portfolio under the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, OOSUR will work in close collaboration with local health providers, public safety agencies, community-based organizations, and people with lived experience to develop a strategic, data-informed, and compassionate approach to addressing substance use. 

“The opioid crisis continues to devastate families across Richmond,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “The launch of this office marks a pivotal step forward in ensuring that our response is not only comprehensive, but rooted in equity, harm reduction, and long-term healing for our residents.” 

Key functions of the office include: 

• Coordinating prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives across city agencies and community partners 

• Expanding public education and awareness campaigns 

• Supporting harm reduction strategies, including access to naloxone and overdose prevention resources 

• Strengthening data collection and analysis to inform citywide response 

The office will be led by Anna Jones as the Opioid Response Strategist. Jones is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive experience in substance use response and community engagement. Most recently, she served as the Opioid Outreach Coordinator for Chesterfield County where she led comprehensive, county-wide initiatives to implement and evaluate public health strategies aimed at combating the opioid crisis. Additional staff members include a Policy Advisor for Opioid Response Coordination and an Opioid Abatement Authority Project Coordinator. 

“We are committed to meeting this crisis head-on with compassion and urgency,” said Jones. “OOSUR will help ensure that Richmond residents affected by substance use have access to the support, treatment, and dignity they deserve.” 

The launch of the Office of Opioid and Substance Use Response aligns with the City’s broader commitment to advancing public health, racial equity, and community resilience. 

For more information and resources, visit https://www.rva.gov/human-services/opioid-response.  

With high intensity rain events forecasted for the region, the City of Richmond is actively preparing for potential flooding and urges residents and businesses to take precautionary steps to help minimize impacts.

While weather events are beyond our control, the City’s agencies are taking proactive steps to mitigate potential effects. The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has deployed crews to inspect and clear storm drains in known trouble spots. Staff remain on-call and are prepared to respond quickly to blocked inlets or drainage issues. Additional signage for flood-prone streets has been staged and is ready for deployment if needed. Residents and businesses are encouraged to play a vital role in flood prevention by keeping storm drains clear of trash, leaves, sediment, cigarette butts, and lawn debris. Blocked inlets can significantly reduce drainage capacity, leading to localized flooding, driving hazards, and property damage even during minor rain events.

The Department of Public Works (DPW) is also actively engaged, coordinating signage deployment in areas with known flood risk. While the Magnolia Street flood gate is currently inoperable, signage will be placed to alert drivers. Bainbridge Street flood gates remain operational. Emergency Services Operations (ESO) teams, along with Urban Forestry, Traffic, and Maintenance crews, are on call through the night to respond as needed.

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities (PRCF) will also be monitoring levels in the James River. James River Park System staff have protocols in place ensure the safety of all park users and have been activated with the recent rains. PRCF asks that residents adhere to the posted signage at river entry points.

City departments and partners are receiving regular weather updates and continuing coordinated response efforts to safeguard public infrastructure and community wellbeing. Flooding is a common occurrence during severe rainstorms, and several contributing factors can increase the risk. A full list of those factors is available on the City’s Stormwater Management page www.rva.gov/public-utilities/stormwater-management under the “Floodplain Management” tab. Long-term, the City’s RVAgreen 2050 plan has identified “Reducing risks and impacts to the community and natural environment from extreme precipitation and flooding” as one of its key objectives. The full plan is available at www.rvagreen2050.com/rvagreen-2050-plan.

Residents are encouraged to stay informed by visiting www.rva.gov or following us on Facebook and Instagram @RVAGov. The City of Richmond thanks the community for its cooperation and continued vigilance during this weather event.