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More than $4.2 million in grant funding for Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee and Washington counties and the towns of Lebanon and Marion for water, sewer, downtown revitalization and housing rehabilitation projects were announced Tuesday by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam.

The grants are funded through a federal program and are administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. The state receives around $18.5 million every year through the program, according to a news release. The competitive grants mostly benefit low- and moderate-income people, and many projects are targeted for the prevention or elimination of slums and blighting conditions.

Northam said in the release that he believes the funding is a “key resource” to help communities fund economic and community development projects to address local needs and help build the state’s economy.

“With these grants, we can assist localities to make improvements to create vibrant spaces for all Virginia citizens to live and do business,” he said.