The City of Richmond Office of Sustainability (OOS) is proud to announce the launch of Switch Together, a group solar buying program developed in partnership with the nonprofit Solar United Neighbors. The program gives Richmond residents a streamlined, cost-effective path to installing rooftop solar and battery storage at their homes.

Switch Together is free to join and carries no obligation. Through a competitive auction process, vetted solar installers bid for the opportunity to serve program participants, resulting in set group pricing that yields significant savings. On average, participants save $6,300 on a typical solar installation. The program has already helped over 3,800 Virginia households take control of their energy future.

“Solar energy is one of the most direct ways Richmond residents can reduce their energy costs and contribute to our community’s climate goals,” said Laura Thomas, Director of the Office of Sustainability. “Switch Together makes that opportunity accessible, transparent, and hassle-free.

Residents can register for free at https://switchtogether.com/en/solar/Richmond/home.  Upon registering, participants receive a personalized offer detailing estimated costs, projected savings, and information about the vetted installer selected for their neighborhood. Registrants will not receive sales calls and their information will not be shared with third parties.

Residents interested in learning more before making a decision can attend free webinars and in-person information sessions offered through the program. Details are available at the program website.

The deadline to accept an offer is July 15, 2026. For questions or concerns you can reach out to [email protected].

The City of Richmond truly appreciates the Commonwealth’s continued commitment to investing in the priorities that matter most to our residents. The General Assembly’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and investing in the needs of working families has been critical and will benefit communities across the Commonwealth.  

Richmond’s specific needs were prioritized in the new biennium budget, and we thank the Budget Conferees, House and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee members, and the full General Assembly for their shared support for Virginia’s Capital City.  

We are especially grateful for the substantial funding dedicated to the Combined Sewer Overflow project, drinking water capital improvements, expanded resources essential for RPS, and the demolition of the Coliseum to make way for economic development. We are also grateful for the investments in housing, eviction‑prevention programs, and public health and human services in a moment when the federal government has destabilized and cut back on essential services our communities have long relied on. 

These commitments will help Richmond advance long-term infrastructure needs, support families, and improve quality of life across our neighborhoods. We thank the General Assembly and the Administration for their partnership and for recognizing the essential role of a thriving Capital City for the future of the Commonwealth. 

Following the unanimous vote on Monday, June 22, Mayor Danny Avula expressed his thanks to City Council and labor partners for their collaboration in approving updates to the City’s collective bargaining ordinance, reaffirming the City's commitment to a fair, transparent, and effective bargaining process for City employees.  

“Building a thriving City Hall that meets community needs and delivers results starts with investing in the people who keep Richmond running every day,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “I’m grateful to our labor partners, City Council, and all those who helped shape and advance these amendments. Collective bargaining has strengthened our workforce and helped us better serve residents. Tonight’s vote reinforces Richmond’s commitment to supporting City employees and building a stronger City for everyone." 

“I’m proud of the updates we passed tonight to strengthen Richmond’s collective bargaining ordinance. These amendments are the result of teamwork – City Council together with our partners in Labor and the Administration all had a hand in tonight’s legislation. Richmond is committed to continuing to lead in public sector collective bargaining and this legislation is proof of our continued work together to strengthen our workforce and ensure best in class city services,” said Councilmember Stephanie Lynch, 5th Voter District.  

“The updates passed tonight to Richmond’s CBO build on our work over the past few years and reaffirm and clarify how the voices of our members will be part of the conversation for the next round of collective bargaining in Richmond,” said Keith Andes, President of the Richmond Professional Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 995.  

"SEIU is grateful for the diligent work behind the amendments adopted tonight. The ordinance adopted reflects what we all understood from the beginning: collective bargaining works best when workers have consistent rights and processes," said Lanoral Thomas, SEIU Local 512. 

“Today’s vote is a unique opportunity to demonstrate what good government looks like,” said Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald II. “Continuous quality improvement starts with investing in our workforce and living out our commitment to put people first, always. Everyone who works for the City deserves fair pay for a hard day's work.”  

The FY25 Payment Register is available on the City’s Open Data Portal 

Richmond, VA - Mayor Danny Avula today released the City’s Fiscal Year 2025 Payment Register, providing the public with access to information about City expenditures.  

The Payment Register for Fiscal Year 2025 (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025) contains 231,933 rows of payment data. All rows were reviewed to ensure private or sensitive personal data would not be unintentionally disclosed. 

151,972 rows of payment data, or 66% of all payment data, required manual review. These data were divided and distributed to City departments and organizational units for review. At the conclusion of that manual review process, 2,799 rows were partially redacted. 

79,961 (34%) rows contained private or sensitive payment data which could be redacted automatically, including social services payments, tax payments, and juror payments.  

Redactions are performed as required by law or as permitted under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.  

Earlier this year, Mayor Danny Avula introduced ORD. 2026-081 to establish an updated approach for publishing the payment register. The proposed ordinance would require the City to publish payment data, while excluding information that is protected from disclosure by law or may be withheld under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Under the proposed ordinance, the published payment register would include:  

• the City department making the payment,  
• the vendor or individual receiving the payment,  
• the total amount paid, and  
• the applicable cost center.  

The legislation will be considered by City Council’s Finance and Economic Development Committee Meeting on July 15.  

The FY25 Payment Register can be found in the City’s Open Data Portal. To download, click on the Export button upper right-hand corner. 

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In celebration of National Immigrant Heritage Month, the City of Richmond's Office of Immigrant and Refugee Engagement, in partnership with Henrico County's Multicultural Engagement Division and ReEstablish Richmond, proudly invite residents from across the region to attend the Multicultural Festival 2026.

This free event will take place on Saturday, June 27, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Richmond Raceway Expo Hall 1 (600 E. Laburnum Ave, Richmond, VA 23222), located in Henrico County. 

Led by the City of Richmond and made possible through strong regional partnerships, the Multicultural Festival reflects a shared commitment to creating welcoming communities where all residents feel valued, connected, and empowered to participate fully in civic life. Immigrants and refugees play an important role in shaping the Richmond region. They contribute to our local economy, enrich our cultural life, strengthen neighborhoods, open businesses, and help make our communities more vibrant and connected.

According to the US Census American Community Survey, foreign-born residents currently make up roughly 14% of Henrico County's population and nearly 9% of Richmond’s population, driving the region’s cultural evolution, population growth, and economic vitality.

While anchoring our celebration of National Immigrant Heritage Month, the Multicultural Festival reflects a broader regional vision. The event honors the full spectrum of cultural heritage defining Greater Richmond—bridging the traditions of indigenous populations and longtime residents with those of our newest neighbors. In this spirit of interconnectedness, the festival also recognizes World Refugee Day (June 20), celebrating the profound courage, resilience, and contributions of refugees who have rebuilt their lives and strengthened our region. 

"The face of Richmond has changed over the last twenty years, and we have seen immigrants become a much bigger part of our story,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “We want to ensure they feel welcomed, because it is important not only for their lives, but for the identity of our city. It has been remarkable to witness this growth and the emergence of so many new immigrant voices. It is because of their presence, resilience, and the opportunities so many of our immigrant neighbors pursue that we are a much more vibrant city."

“The Multicultural Festival presents a wonderful opportunity for us to come together, neighbor to neighbor, to celebrate the cultural richness of our region,” Henrico Board of Supervisors Chair Roscoe D. Cooper III said. “We know that our youth, families and communities are stronger, healthier and happier when everyone feels welcomed, connected and encouraged to fully engage in civic life. Whether you’re a longtime resident of our region or a newcomer, the festival offers the perfect backdrop to enhance our appreciation of each other’s experiences while also recognizing our shared humanity.”

ReEstablish Richmond plays a significant role in mobilizing volunteers for the event this year:

“What makes this festival so special is that while the Richmond region has a ton of cultural events, rarely can you come to one spot and experience the true breadth of diversity that is our multicultural community,” says Will Cumbia, Outreach and Volunteer Manager of ReEstablish Richmond.  “Where else can you nibble on empanadas while chatting with folks at the Sudanese display with a Chinese choir serenading you from the stage? This festival is for everyone--a unique display of mutual hospitality. We want longtime Richmonders to show up, connect, and celebrate their newcomer neighbors, inviting one another into a deeper experience of being here at home.”

The Multicultural Festival serves as the grand finale for National Immigrant Month, bringing people together for a day packed with community spirit, connection, and culture. Attendees can look forward to a dynamic lineup of activities, including authentic food, vibrant music, live performances and dances, arts, crafts, local vendors and community resources.  

The event is made possible through the generous support of corporate and community sponsors, including Dominion Energy, Sheetz, Virginia Housing, Virginia Humanities, Super Radiator Coils, Dyer Immigration Law Group, and Ultra Radio Richmond. 

For more information about the Multicultural Festival, including vendors and itinerary visit: Multicultural Festival 2026 — ReEstablish Richmond 

About the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Engagement 

The City of Richmond's Office of Immigrant and Refugee Engagement works to build a more welcoming, inclusive, and connected city by strengthening relationships between immigrant and refugee communities and local government. Through language access, community engagement, education, resource navigation, and strategic partnerships, OIRE helps ensure all residents can access services, participate in civic life, and thrive in Richmond.

About the Henrico Multicultural Engagement Division

As part of the Henrico County Outreach and Engagement Agency, the Multicultural Engagement Division works to build trusted relationships, create opportunities for engagement, and foster belonging among Henrico's diverse cultural, immigrant, refugee, LGBTQIA+, and all ability communities. This work supports the agency's broader mission of enriching the lives of those who live, work, and play in Henrico through community engagement, education, resources, and equitable access to opportunities.

About ReEstablish Richmond                                                         

ReEstablish Richmond helps refugees and immigrants integrate into the Greater Richmond area by offering essential tools like English classes, driver’s education, and navigation of local services. Functioning as a regional resource hub, the organization drives regional collaboration by partnering with local service providers, volunteers, and stakeholders—such as the International Rescue Committee and Sacred Heart Center—to build a unified network of support across Henrico, Chesterfield and the City of Richmond.