NORFOLK — Virginia’s Secretary of Commerce and Trade recently called the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) project a game-changer for Southside Virginia.

Maurice Jones, who spoke at a Virginia Chamber of Commerce Foundation event on Sept. 29, said, “[There’s] no question about it that for us, natural gas represents a pretty transformative opportunity across the state.”

“It would be a game-changer for Hampton Roads, for Southside Virginia [and] for Southwest Virginia when we can boast of having ready, quick easy access to natural gas. What that does it opens up the conversations for businesses expanding and for businesses coming to Virginia cannot be overstated,” Jones said.

ACP, LLC is a joint venture seeking to construct the 550-mile natural gas pipeline across three states. The pipeline would travel through Buckingham, Cumberland and Prince Edward counties if approved by the federal government