State funds awarded to support restoration projects in Bedford, Covington

Money from the state will support two restoration projects in our region.

The town of Bedford has been awarded $400,000 from Virginia's Industrial Revitalization Fund.

The money will help pay for renovations to the "Old Yellow" school building, which has been closed since 1989. A developer is converting the space into a boutique hotel and hopes to begin work this winter.

"Every little bit helps in this multi-layered funding package the developer needs to put together, so we're very pleased that it was able to be done as a grant," said Mary Zirkle, economic development coordinator for the town of Bedford.

The city of Covington is also getting state money. They've been awarded $240,000 to support development of the Alleghany Highlands Industrial Heritage and Technology Discovery Center.