Griffith Announces $2,379,637 in PILT Funds to Support Ninth District Communities

Tuesday, June 23, 2026 | W. P. Jackson Krug (202-225-3861)

The U.S. Department of Interior announced it will release funds to U.S. communities through the “Payments in Lieu of Taxes” program. Given that federal lands located in local jurisdictions cannot be taxed, PILT or “Payments in Lieu of Taxes” program funds help state and local governments carry out public service projects. Numerous communities in Virginia’s Ninth District will receive funds. These program funds include:

  • $96,921 to Bedford County
  • $271,902 to Bland County
  • $39,066 to Carroll County
  • $417,201 to Craig County
  • $60,724 to Dickenson County
  • $14,235 to Floyd County
  • $25,626 to Franklin County
  • $238,693 to Giles County
  • $122,594 to Grayson County
  • $4,718 to Henry County
  • $66,633 to Lee County
  • $69,620 to Montgomery County
  • $27,900 to Patrick County
  • $68,061 to Pulaski County
  • $30,092 to Roanoke County
  • $120,582 to Scott County
  • $269,066 to Smyth County
  • $38,023 to Tazewell County
  • $79,751 to Washington County
  • $111,641 to Wise County
  • $206,588 to Wythe County

In response to these awarded funds, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement.

“Virginia’s Ninth District is home to numerous local jurisdictions that include federal lands. Because of this arrangement, activities on those lands are tax-exempt and local governments are limited in its collection of tax revenues. 

 

“I am a proud supporter of the PILT program to help local communities. As someone who voted to reauthorize PILT payments, I am delighted to see more than $2.3 million in PILT funds go to Ninth District communities.”

 

BACKGROUND

 

In January 2025, Congressman Griffith voted in favor of H.R. 6938, a package of appropriations bills that included Interior and Environment funding. Later that month, President Trump signed this bill into law.

The PILT program first started in 1977 and continues to serve rural communities.

Funding for the PILT program is provided through the Interior and Environment Appropriations bill. 

This news follows Congressman Griffith’s April announcement that federal funding will support Ninth District communities through the “Secure Rural Schools” program. 

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