Posted on August 11, 2025
PETERSBURG, Va. — Gov. Glenn Youngkin visited the City of Petersburg on Thursday to celebrate the third anniversary of the “Partnership for Petersburg” initiative.
The governor noted some of the milestones the partnership has achieved toward its original goals, and some that have been added along the way, including dredging up the Appomattox River to reduce flooding in the city.
“We had a great meeting with the [Army] Corps of Engineers,” Petersburg Mayor Sam Parham said. “They are committed to dealing with the flooding issues in Petersburg.”
“Thanks to Governor Youngkin’s help to get them to the table,” Parham added.
Youngkin highlighted where the city had improved in the six pillars that the partnership initially laid out. This includes education, healthcare, safety, transportation, economic development and community building.
But now, that’s a growing list, as flooding issues rise across Central Virginia, with Petersburg hit particularly hard over the last month. The city was previously under a state of emergency due to severe flooding, and residents were forced to leave their homes.
During a press conference on Tuesday, July 15, city officials said they want to dredge the river and remove sediment or debris to deepen the channel, which would help prevent flooding. The city said the Corps of Engineers started a dredging project, but left it unfinished, with Parham attributing it to “many decades of neglect.”
“The flooding is a real issue,” Youngkin said. “And that gives us a chance to add to our overall initiative list. We have added to them, and we have seen great success. Petersburg is the land of opportunity today.”
Youngkin said that since 2022, employment in the city has increased by 600 people. Population numbers are up. Access to maternal healthcare increased by 52%. School attendance has improved by more than 75%. Homicides in the city have decreased by 50%.
The governor added that the partnership has changed the way the city and state approach issues altogether.
“It is not a series of individual initiatives,” Youngkin said. “It has now become a way of doing business together.”
The governor also announced a $3 million partnership with drug maker Civica to produce affordable insulin in Petersburg. He said production will begin soon.
