Southwest Virginia Building Upgrade Program

Southwest Virginia Building Upgrade Program (SWVA Building UP) is a pilot program administered by Appalachian Voices to provide energy assessments, technical assistance, and funding for energy efficiency upgrades for community-serving organizations in the Southwest Virginia coalfield region, such as non-profits, local governments, and small businesses. The purpose of Building UP is to create more resilient, sustainable, and safe facilities in under-resourced Appalachian communities.

Current Application Period

Applications Open: October 1, 2025
Applications Due: December 31, 2025
Notice of award: January 30, 2026

Download SWVA Building UP Pilot Booklet 
Apply Here 

Qualifying Applicants

Must be located in:

  • Buchanan County
  • Dickenson County
  • Lee County
  • Scott County
  • Tazewell County
  • Russell County
  • Wise County
  • City of Norton

Project types:

  • Upgrades to a non-residential building upgrades to mixed-use building with non-residential units
  • Have clear community-serving goals and services

Organization type:

  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Municipal and county governments
  • Community-oriented small commercial businesses

Assistance Available

  • Funding assistance – up to $15,000 per participant for Qualifying Upgrades as agreed upon by the participant and Appalachian Voices after completion of an energy audit.
  • Energy audits – Provided at no cost to the participant. Completed energy audits will determine the most effective building upgrades for the reduction of energy use.
  • Coordinating project meetings
  • Identifying energy auditors
  • Coordinating energy audits
  • Reviewing audit reports
  • Contractor procurement
  • Financing identification
  • Coordination of quality assurance testing

Qualifying Upgrades

SWVA Building UP participants can qualify for funding assistance for the following weatherization, energy efficiency, heat pump, and other technologies/upgrades. More information on qualifying upgrades can be found in the SWVA Building UP Pilot Booklet.

  • Insulation
  • Air and duct sealing
  • Energy Star windows & doors
  • Energy Star appliances
  • LED lighting
  • HVAC controls
  • Ducted heat pumps
  • Mini-split heat pumps
  • Environmental hazard removal
  • Health and safety upgrades

Pilot Program Goals

Provide energy audits and building upgrades to at least community facilities
Invest $ into participating facilities
Average % or greater energy use reduction at upgraded facilities

Create a replicable model for community-centered energy efficiency investments.