The Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission recently was awarded a Virginia Building Collaborative Communities grant to promote regional economic collaboration.

The program is designed to stimulate job creation, economic development and provide a significant return on state investment, said Amanda Pearson, public relations director for the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.

In making the award, Gov. Terry McAuliffe said that the state program is designed to facilitate successful regional partnerships. “Regional collaboration is critical as we work to build a new Virginia economy, and we continue to see the impact it has in bringing businesses and jobs to communities throughout the commonwealth,” McAuliffe said.

MPPDC received a $19,275 award, Pearson said. Beth Johnson, finance director for MPPDC, said there is a local match of $15,000, which will come out of the commission’s general fund.

MPPDC executive director Lewis Lawrence said t...