Richard Bland CollegeMajor Activities Associated with Richard Bland College's Involvement in the Petersburg Partnership

A student conducted by the Virginia Employment Commission indicates that Richard Bland College has a current economic impact on the Petersburg and surrounding area of $20,000,000 annually.  With the addition of residence halls, an additional $8,000,000 - $10,000,000 impact will be realized annually.  The cost of the first two structures on the residential campus will exceed $27,000,000, and is being financed by the Richard Bland College Foundation.  Three additional buildings are being planned which, upon completion, will house 600 students.  Richard Bland also has the following impact on the Petersburg community:

  • Richard Bland College and Petersburg High School will begin a Middle College collaborative program during the 2008 summer term.  This endeavor will have twenty-five high school juniors enrolling at the College full-time during the 2008 Fall semester.  The Phoenix Project will provide leadership development and college prepatory assistance to these twenty-five students.
  • Dual enrollment classes allow students in Petersburg, Dinwiddie, Colonial Heights, Prince George, and at the Appomattox Regional Governor's School to earn academic credit through Richard Bland while completing their high school education.
  • The College's Biology Departmetnt co-sponsors with the City of Petersburg the semi-annual Appotmattox River clean-up project.
  • The College participates in guiding the impact of Fort Lee's expansion through Congressman Forbes' local BRAC committee.
  • The Petersburg Festival Chorus is the resident chorus for Richard Bland and is open to qualified high school and college students as well as adults from the community.
  • The Richard Bland Community Wind Ensemble is sponsored by Richard Bland College and is open to high school and college students as well as adults from the community.
  • Richard Bland College staff and students are engaged as Big Brothers/Big Sisters to Petersburg elementary school students.
  • The use of College facilities by area community organizations (Boy Scouts, Tri-Cities Work Camp, State-wide Virginia Independent League basketball tournaments) is on-going throughout the year.
  • The Richard Bland library is open for community use.
  • Additional collaborative efforts within the City of Petersburg include:  (1) RBC International Forum Series; (2) Phi Theta Kappa Food Drive; (3) Southside Sheltered Workshop; (4) Crater Regional Partnership; (5) Gateway Region Economic Development; and (6) RBC Annual Science Fair.
  • Richard Bland College also participates in a number of programs with community partners such as:  (1) Pamplin Historical Park; (2) Friends of the Lower Appomatox River; and (3) Petersburg Area Art League.