NORFOLK, VA – Republican gubernatorial candidate River Bytheway announced his “Virginia Works” infrastructure plan today at the Norfolk International Terminal. Joined by longshoremen, welders, and workforce trainees from Southwest Virginia, Bytheway outlined a three-part initiative designed to position Virginia as a leading trade gateway, expedite clean-energy and broadband projects, and address flooding issues in Hampton Roads and other areas. Bytheway emphasized the importance of the port to Virginia's economy, stating, “Our port is the economic engine of Virginia, and when it grows, families from Abingdon to Virginia Beach win.” He presented a fully funded plan aimed at creating jobs, retraining displaced coal workers, reducing bureaucratic hurdles for renewable energy projects, and protecting communities from flooding. The plan includes three major components: 1. **Full Funding for Virginia’s Port of Tomorrow** Bytheway committed to providing the remaining $1.4 billion necessary to complete the optimization of the Norfolk International Terminal and the new Craney Island Marine Terminal. This funding aims to maintain Virginia's status as the busiest and most efficient port on the East Coast. Additionally, Bytheway proposed a workforce partnership that would offer paid training and priority hiring for displaced miners and factory workers in various maritime and logistics roles. 2. **“90-Day Virginia” Permitting Reform** The candidate plans to halve state-level permitting times for solar farms, battery storage, data centers, and rural broadband projects. This initiative will be facilitated through a one-stop online portal and a strict 90-day approval timeline. Bytheway stated, “This is about green jobs, lower electric bills, and making sure every child across the Commonwealth can log on to do their homework.” 3. **Flood-Proof Virginia Grant Program** Bytheway introduced a new 50/50 state-local matching program aimed at addressing recurring flooding in several communities, including Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Alexandria, and Richmond’s Shockoe Bottom. This program will be funded through existing rainy-day reserves and insurance premium tax revenue. Each project will be required to utilize natural solutions, such as living shorelines and restored wetlands, to enhance resilience and provide environmental benefits. Bytheway asserted that these initiatives are not partisan, stating, “Democrats and Republicans both want good jobs, lower flooding risk, and faster internet.” He positioned himself as the only candidate with a realistic plan to achieve these goals. The announcement comes as Bytheway continues to campaign for the gubernatorial election, following previous proposals aimed at supporting educators and addressing housing affordability for young Virginians.