Chesterfield County, Virginia's Weekly E-Newsletter |
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Stay Connected with Chesterfield! |
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Scroll to the bottom for more helpful links and resources to stay up to date on all things Chesterfield! |
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Chesterfield Wins Best Large County
Achievement Award For Virginia Counties
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The Virginia Association of Counties, or VACo, named Chesterfield County as the recipient of three 2020 Achievement Awards, including one of the program’s highest recognitions, the “Best Large County Achievement Award.” The county leads the VACo all-time achievement list with 35 awards, earning at least one award annually since the program’s inception.
The VACo Achievement Awards highlights innovative programs focused on addressing high-priority issues that challenge counties today. This year, the county received three awards recognizing the Access On Demand program, the First Responders and Multicultural CommUNITY Cup and the county’s coordinated local implementation of The Basics. These awards come on the heels of Chesterfield receiving the Best Achievement Award in 2019 and Best Large County Achievement Award in 2017 and 2018.
Chesterfield County’s Access On Demand program won this year’s Best Large County Achievement Award among Virginia counties with a population greater than 50,000. A judge on the awards panel said the program scored high because of its “innovative approach to solving a problem.”
VACo will present the awards to the county at an upcoming Board of Supervisors meeting.
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Chesterfield Secures Additional
$30M in CARES Act funding
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As several county residents and businesses continue to grapple with the economic uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chesterfield remains ready to assist after receiving an extra $30 million boost in federal funding.
The $30 million adds to the existing $30 million Chesterfield received as part of the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, or CARES, Act. It’s also part of the overall $645 million the state was awarded in late July.
In all, Chesterfield has received about $60 million in CARES Act funding – roughly spending about $10 million on a variety of initiatives and regional partnerships to help county residents and businesses struggling financially as a result of COVID-19.
But before county leaders and officials devise a comprehensive plan on how to spend the CARES Act money, which can be used for enhancing community and customer service or continued virus mitigation, they wants to hear from county residents and businesses about where to prioritize the funds.
A public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 26 during the Board of Supervisors’ regularly scheduled meeting seeking input on how best to spend the remaining $50 million in CARES Act funds.
Residents and businesses can submit comments in person at the Public Meeting Room at 10001 Iron Bridge Road on Aug. 26; however, seating will be limited to practice social distancing, and masks and temperature checks will be required before entering the building.
Those who cannot make it to the meeting in person, but wish to provide input during the public hearing, are strongly encouraged to submit comments via the online form that will be available beginning Aug. 20. Residents without internet access may call in comments and leave a message at 804-748-1808.
Chesterfield, metro Richmond’s most populous municipality, remains proactive in helping its residents and businesses navigate the financial complexities related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since March, the county has allocated nearly $5 million grants to qualified Chesterfield businesses seeking financial relief as part of the Chesterfield Economic Development’s Back In Business (BIB) grant program. Since June 18, Chesterfield Economic Development has awarded grants to more than 200 county businesses totaling nearly $1.9 million.
The county Board of Supervisors also allocated $50,000 during its July 22 meeting to be directly allocated to the Area Congregations Together Service RVA (ACTS RVA), a regional nonprofit tasked with providing funds, support and other resources to people and families experiencing a financial crisis throughout Central Virginia and metro Richmond.
County renters and homeowners who are having trouble making their monthly rent or mortgage payment, or are simply interested in learning more, are strongly encouraged to call and leave a message at 804-644-2401. Interested residents who meet the following qualifications also can fill out this form for possible assistance.
For more information on guidelines for spending federal CARES Act funding and what categories the county has identified to use it for, read the full news release.
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Third Party Mailing Absentee Ballot |
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While the absentee ballot application is accurate, the Chesterfield County Registrar’s Office is aware that some voters who received these absentee ballot applications were given pre-paid return envelopes addressed to the incorrect registrar’s office. The correct address for the Chesterfield Registrar is PO Box 1690, Chesterfield, VA 23832.
The Chesterfield Registrar’s Office has no affiliation with The Center for Voter Information and does not coordinate with any third-party groups on campaign or external voting efforts.
If you happen to receive one of these ballot applications and mailed it to another jurisdiction listed on the pre-paid return envelope, the application will be forwarded immediately to the correct office for processing.
Chesterfield County and the Virginia Department of Elections encourages ALL VOTERS that would like to receive an absentee ballot for the November election to apply electronically at www.elections.virginia.gov/voterinformation.
Registered voter who have already applied for an absentee ballot DO NOT need to submit a new application, and are strongly urged to properly discard the Center of Voter Information’s absentee ballot application.
The first day absentee ballots will be mailed is Friday, Sept. 18, 2020.
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Attention Job Seekers:
Register Now for Virtual Job Fair
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Virginia Career Works and Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Social Services invites job seekers to attend a free, virtual job fair on Wednesday, Aug. 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The virtual platform is mobile friendly.
Have a question? Contact Chesterfield Employment Services:
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Blood Drive on Wednesday, Aug. 12 |
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The American Red Cross is hosting a Blood Drive on Wednesday, Aug. 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Stonebridge Recreation Center, 230 Karl Linn Drive. Appointments are encouraged, and all donors will receive at $5 Amazon gift card via email. Blood donations are now being tested for COVID-19 antibodies.
Use Sponsor Code: StonebridgeRec
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Meet Wendell!
He had no luck in being reunited with his owner. He is hoping to be a bit more lucky in finding a new family to call his own.
Wendell is a sweet boy. He is calm and very mellow, making him a good option for a home with children. Wendell does not like being crated. Because of that, he would need a family who either trusts him to be out in the house on his own while they are at work or either with a family who works from home. We have found that Wendell likes some of the dogs at the shelter. If you have a dog at home, we encourage you to bring them with you to meet him! Wendell enjoys going on walks, but he will need to be taught how to walk on a leash properly.
Wendell is a 3-year-old Pitbull. Animal #575744
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County Response to COVID-19 |
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The Chesterfield County Response to COVID-19 webpage has links to many resources for citizens during this situation. If you are looking for information in any of the following topic areas, please click the links below to be directed to additional resources:
Other important information and updates on resources for Virginians can be found at:
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Chesterfield Health District Director Update |
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Governor Launches COVIDWISE Exposure Notification App to Help Contain COVID-19 |
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Governor Ralph Northam announced the launch of COVIDWISE, an innovative exposure notification app that will alert users if they have been in close contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19. Virginia is the first state in the country to design a COVID-19 app using Bluetooth Low Energy technology developed by Apple and Google, which does not rely on personal information or location data. Users opt-in to download and utilize the free app.
COVIDWISE works by using random Bluetooth keys that change every 10 to 20 minutes. iOS and Android devices that have the app installed will anonymously share these random keys if they are within close proximity for at least 15 minutes. Each day, the device downloads a list of all random keys associated with positive COVID-19 results submitted by other app users and checks them against the list of random keys it has encountered in the last 14 days. If there is a match, COVIDWISE may notify the individual, taking into account the date and duration of exposure, and the Bluetooth signal strength which is used to estimate proximity.
Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 will be notified by a VDH case investigator and will be given a unique numeric code. This code is entered into the app by the user and serves as verification of a positive report. Others who have downloaded COVIDWISE and have been in close proximity to the individual who reported as being positive will receive a notice which reads, “You have likely been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.” This is your alert to get tested.
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COVID-19 Contact Tracing Scam Alert |
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Sadly, there are already scams related to COVID-19 exposure. To slow the spread of the disease, the Virginia Department of Health is using COVID-19 Contact Tracing. If someone you have been in close contact with has been exposed to COVID-19, you may receive a phone call. The caller will identify themselves as a Department of Health representative and will ask for some personal information. They will never ask you for your credit card, insurance information or to complete online forms. If you’re concerned about the validity of the call, please don’t hesitate to ask the person on the phone for their name. Hang up without giving any information and call 804-748-1610 and ask the operator to connect you to the name you received. |
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Virginia Supreme Court Grants Temporary Statewide Eviction Moratorium |
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Governor Ralph Northam announced a temporary statewide moratorium on eviction proceedings in Virginia. The moratorium, which will begin on Monday, Aug. 10 and remain in effect through Monday, Sept. 7, halts all eviction proceedings related to failure to pay rent. Governor Northam requested this moratorium in a letter to Virginia Supreme Court Chief Justice Donald Lemons on July 24.
Tenants are encouraged to know their rights and responsibilities and pay their rent on time if they are able. Please visit StayHomeVirginia.com for additional information and resources on tenant rights.
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Chesterfield Health Department -
Free COVID-19 Testing in August
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As part of a statewide push to increase testing across the commonwealth, the Chesterfield Health Department is hosting free COVID-19 testing events in the months of July and August.
Note: Appointments should be made with the Chesterfield Health Department at 804-318-8207 before each event.
Wednesday, Aug. 12 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Beulah United Methodist Church
6930 Hopkins Road
(Drive-Through)
Wednesday, Aug. 19 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Crystal Lake Apartments
3501 Meadowdale Blvd.
(Walk-Up)
Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020 at noon to 2 p.m.
Jeff Davis Flea Market
5700 Jefferson Davis Highway
(Walk-Up)
Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020 at 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Journey Christian Church
3700 Price Club Blvd.
(Drive-Through)
Testing is for individuals who have COVID-19 symptoms and is free for uninsured or underinsured persons.
While some appointments will be reserved for walk-ups that morning, testing is limited and appointments should be made with the Chesterfield Health Department at 804-318-8207 before each event.
Spanish-speaking staff also will be present during the testing event.
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Remember to Complete Your U.S. Census!
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While April 1 was Census Day, Chesterfield encourages residents who have not yet completed their 2020 U.S. Census to do so as soon as possible.
Completing the Census is easy!
Households should have received official U.S. Census Bureau mail with detailed information on how to respond to the 2020 U.S. Census online, by phone or by mail.
Pay close to attention to the unique number given to your household and be prepared to use it during your response.
The 2020 U.S. Census is mandatory and responses are based upon the members of a household as of April 1 (Census Day).
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To learn more about the 2020 U.S. Census, visit the official website at my2020census.gov.
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Learn More About Your District |
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