Richmond, VA - The City of Richmond and its partners are honored to have received a 2025 Excellence in Economic Development Gold Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) for its work in building the Small Business Recovery Grant Fund. The fund, which was a public-private partnership funded by the City's Economic Development Authority (EDA), Dominion Energy, and Altria, and administered by the Metropolitan Business League (MBL) and Bridging Virginia, was established to support the City's small business community, impacted by the water outage earlier this year.

"This year's water outage created very real hardships for business owners and employees across Richmond, many of which are still being felt today," said Mayor Danny Avula. "The resulting grant program was designed to provide a measure of meaningful relief in a time of need and, importantly, to show our business owners that they are supported and valued. "This recognition is a testament to the Richmond community, to the power of partnership, and to the compassion which compels every Richmonder to lift up their neighbors in times of need."

IEDC, the nation's largest nonprofit membership organization for economic developers, recognizes projects annually for their impact, innovation, and leadership in the practice of economic development. The Small Business Recovery Grant Fund was specifically recognized in the award's "Recovery, Resiliency, and Mitigation" category.

"Small businesses are the backbone of Richmond's economy, and we're honored to work with the City of Richmond to offer a helping hand in times of adversity," said Ed Baine, President of Dominion Energy Virginia. "This award is a testament to the ability of public-private partnerships to solve important problems."

The fund received a total investment of $500,000 through combined efforts from the EDA, Dominion Energy, and Altria. Following a multi-step review by a panel of public and private partners, grants in the amounts of $2,500 or $5,000 were distributed to 117 small businesses - providing much-needed financial relief to nearly 85% of eligible applicants.

The City is grateful to both MBL and Bridging Virginia for their expertise in administering the program. Their contributions were invaluable to ensure a smooth, efficient process for our small businesses.

"The MBL values our partnership with the City of Richmond and is honored to have contributed to the water relief project," said Floyd E. Miller II, MBL President & CEO. "Through innovative initiatives and strong collaboration, we remain committed to providing financial resources during challenging times, while continuing to support local minority-owned businesses."

"We know that equitable access to capital is essential - not only to recover from crisis, but to sustain and strengthen the small businesses that anchor our communities, care for our neighborhoods, and continue to move our city forward," said Melody Short, Director of Business and Community Engagement at Bridging Virginia.

"This recognition belongs to Richmond's small business owners," said EDA Board of Directors Chair Nupa Agarwal, Esq. "Your resilience, creativity, and determination inspire us daily. The City of Richmond and the EDA remain committed to standing with you through challenges and successes, because when our small businesses thrive, our entire community thrives."

Learn more about the recognition, and explore the other deserving economic development projects, on the IEDC website.

To learn more about what the City is doing to improve our water resiliency, visit rva.gov.

Richmond, VA - The City of Richmond is proud to announce the appointment of Al Wiggins, Jr. as the new Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) for Operations. A seasoned local government executive and U.S. Air Force veteran, Wiggins brings more than 22 years of proven leadership experience in city and county governments to the role. Wiggins currently serves as Senior Advisor to the Chief Operating Officer for the City of Atlanta, where he oversees major operational projects, including the City's preparation for the 2026 World Cup, and managing compliance of the city's $750 million Moving Atlanta Forward infrastructure initiative.

Mr. Wiggins' recent posts include pivotal leadership roles during some of Atlanta's most pressing operational challenges. He was appointed Commissioner of the Department of Public Works at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and stabilized essential services while leading more than 550 employees and managed a $100 million budget. In Atlanta, Mr. Wiggins emphasized transparency, accountability, and performance optimization by introducing real-time fleet tracking, a centralized command center to improve responsiveness to residents, and quality assurance practices that validated service delivery and cut down on waste. His leadership and operational focus centered on improving community trust, including reducing blight in neighborhoods, responding directly to residents' concerns, and ensuring resources were deployed equitably across service zones.

He was later appointed Interim Commissioner of the Department of Watershed Management during a period of environmental and infrastructure crisis. In that role, Mr. Wiggins directed emergency response during widespread water main breaks, launched an AI-driven leak detection program, and led the city back into federal compliance. The Department of Watershed Management has a $1.2 billion capital portfolio, a $700 million operations budget, and a workforce of more than 1,500 employees.

"Mr. Wiggins is an operational Swiss Army knife, a seasoned leader with more than two decades of experience in government operations and public service," said Odie Donald, Chief Administrative Officer. "His path from exemplary Air Force service to diverse leadership experiences in both cities and counties, and overall knack for service delivery will make him someone the City of Richmond can count on."

"I am honored to join the City of Richmond and contribute to the Mayor's vision for a thriving Richmond," said Wiggins. "Operational excellence is the key to a government that works smoothly and efficiently every single day, and I look forward to partnering with colleagues across the city to deliver the high-quality services that residents deserve."

"I'm excited to welcome Mr. Wiggins to Richmond," said Mayor Danny Avula. "His leadership experience, dedication, and service mindset will round out the leadership team and help us strengthen the city's foundation for a thriving future."

Mr. Wiggins began his public service career as a police officer, later advancing through roles in code enforcement, public works, and executive leadership across the metro Atlanta area. He also served as City Manager of Forest Park, Georgia, where he eliminated a $1 million budget shortfall, reformed the city's pension system, and secured a $42 million Clorox expansion project. As Deputy City Manager for the City of Chamblee, he led a Priority-Based Budgeting program, recovered over $500,000 in unpaid taxes, and oversaw the successful completion of more than a dozen key capital projects.

Mr. Wiggins' first day with the City of Richmond will be August 28, 2025.

The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is replacing deteriorated sewer service laterals along Forest Hill Avenue between Hathaway Road and Joe Brooks Boulevard. This utility work is a continuation of the sewer replacement project that was completed in the eastbound lanes of Forest Hill Avenue in 2024. The work zone will extend from Windsorview Drive to Shelia Lane along Forest Hill Avenue. 

Forest Hill Avenue Sanitary Sewer Lateral Replacement Work Project Newsletter- Volume 1

Richmond, Va-The City of Richmond held a virtual public meeting on August 19 at 6:00 p.m. to provide additional details and answer questions regarding upcoming utility projects in the Forest Hill Avenue area. These projects are continual work to replace failing infrastructure and improve system reliability, including aging water lines and deteriorated sewer laterals. 

Water line replacement

Location: Hathaway Road from Riverside Drive/Longview Drive to the 2900 block of Hathaway Road

Anticipated start date: August 25, with a duration of six months

Longview Drive Water Main Replacement Project Newsletter 

Sewer lateral replacement 

Location: 6900-7000 blocks of Forest Hill Avenue westbound lanes

Anticipated start date: September 2, with a duration of two months

Forest Hill Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project Newsletter

During the meeting, residents and business owners had the opportunity to hear from DPU project managers to learn more about the project scopes and review project plans and traffic impacts. 

Virtual Meeting Materials - August 19, 2025

Public Meeting presentation

Public Meeting recording

Posted August 19, 2025

~ Starting August 26, the signal will temporarily flash red and yellow~

RICHMOND, Va. – Part of the city’s ongoing efforts to enhance roadway safety and accessibility for all users, the Department of Public Works (DPW) installed a new traffic signal at the intersection of Patterson Avenue and Pepper Avenue. It will be energized August 26 and temporarily placed in flash mode. During this transitional phase:

• Patterson Avenue will display a flashing yellow light, indicating that drivers should proceed with caution

• Pepper Avenue will display flashing red lights, requiring drivers to stop and yield before proceeding

The temporary flashing mode gives motorists an opportunity to adjust to the new signal ahead of it being set to function as a fully signalized intersection on September 2.

Safety Reminders:

• Be alert while traveling through this new traffic pattern

• Drive with extra caution as the community adjusts to the new intersection

• Always watch for pedestrians and cyclists

Work on this project began in January 2025 and includes a range of safety and accessibility upgrades: 

• Traffic signal mast arm poles with traffic signal heads and high visibility backplates
• Countdown pedestrian signals with push buttons
• ADA compliant accessible ramps with new sidewalk connections
• High visibility crosswalk markings to improve pedestrian safety

For more information on DPW, please visit us online at rva.gov/public-works or email us at AskPublicWorks@rva.gov

We’re Social! For updates on DPW-related projects, activities and events visit us on X @DPW_RichmondVA

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The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 195 currently accredited public works agencies in the United States. DPW’s portfolio comprises a wide array of services to include leaf collection; street, sidewalk and alley maintenance; trash collection; recycling; grass cutting;  graffiti removal; parking enforcement; urban forestry; street signs; traffic signals and pavement markings and civil engineering. In addition, DPW  issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages Main Street Station,  the RVA Bike Share program.. DPW’s operating budget comes from the general fund of the City of Richmond.  For more information about DPW services, click here or call 3-1-1