Richmond has been selected as one of 10 cities to receive a grant from the Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity Challenge, a joint initiative of Comcast and the U.S. Conference of Mayors. The city will receive $150,000 to support its Strategic Opportunities Leading to Valuable Experiences (SOLVE) program.

The SOLVE program intends to addresses talent shortages in key industries including health care, construction, manufacturing and information technology. It was designed to prepare low-income, under-employed and unemployed people for roles in these fields.

A key component of SOLVE is its focus on exposing participants to new career fields and bridging skill gaps. The program plans to utilize various methods including career assessment, virtual reality, site visits and training provider expos.

Richmond was one of three medium-sized cities to receive a grant in this category, alongside Cleveland, Ohio, and Little Rock, Ark. The Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity Challenge awarded a total of $1.5 million across 10 cities in the United States, with the goal of expanding digital training programs and addressing the digital skills gap.

The grant is intended to support the launch and expansion of local workforce programs designed to enhance college and career readiness, advance economic mobility and create foundations for generational wealth in under-resourced communities.

The SOLVE program is expected to be implemented in Richmond in the near future, aiming to provide residents with opportunities to enhance their digital skills and advance their careers in high-demand industries.