The ERC Connecting Communities Program is our commitment to good corporate citizenship. In 2020 we promised to make meaningful contributions and cultivate community partnerships that support the health, education, and environment of residents in Portsmouth and Norfolk; the two cities that the Elizabeth River Tunnels connect. And, because of COVID-19's impact, we saw an even greater need to connect the most vulnerable members of our community to much-needed resources. We consolidated our efforts into a few key sectors: Scholarships/Education, Health/Homelessness, and the Environment.

• Tidewater Community College (TCC) STEM Promise Program: The goal is to increase the number of STEM degrees awarded to women and to minority students. Through ERC's annual contribution, 20 students pursuing STEM programs will earn their associate degrees tuition-free.
• ERC Good Citizen Scholarship: Our scholarship rewards local students who make positive contributions to their school and community. Annually, one senior from each of the eight public high schools in Norfolk and Portsmouth receive a $1,500 scholarship toward any college, trade school or post-secondary institution expense. ERC renews the scholarship for each recipient for up to 4 years.
• Connecting Opportunities Program with the Hampton Roads Workforce Council (HRWC) and Tidewater Community College (TCC) Skilled Trades Academy: ERC partnered with the HRWC and TCC to create a new program that brings locally underserved and under-skilled community members to higher-paying, more stable opportunities. The Connecting Opportunities Program provides funds for 30 students (1/3 veterans) per year to receive training and employment assistance for in-demand construction and maritime trades.
• STARBASE Academy: Historically, Portsmouth Public School 4th-6th graders were brought to the STARBASE facility for four STEM education sessions. In 2020, they made the program virtual by creating Project SCOUT (STARBASE Connections & Outreach Using Technology).
• Norfolk Tides Reading & Batter Up Statistics Youth Education Programs: To connect local youth with the educational aspects of baseball through reading and mathematics, ERC worked with the Tides to create a program that offers students ticket vouchers for completing their Tides-administered Reading and Statistics Program materials.
• The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore: In 2020, the Foodbank Backpack Program started drive-thru food distribution to keep contact minimal, and ERC increased its annual donation to allow the program to keep up with increased demand and expand its territory.
• Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia: For seniors 60+, this organization transitioned to emergency mode during the pandemic—delivering more than 3,000 meals per week and helped alleviate social isolation through virtual resources.
• Mercy Chefs: In the face of Covid-19, Mercy Chefs distributed professionally prepared, nutritious freezer-packed meals to residents.
• HOPE Charitable Services: During the pandemic, they worked tirelessly to assist at-risk children and struggling families with food resources, academic reinforcement and more.
• Oasis Social Ministry: Oasis served nutritious breakfasts and lunches to-go seven days a week, offered a drive‐up food pantry three days a week, and distributed groceries and clothing to seniors.
• Elizabeth River Project: As local field trips to the Elizabeth River Project's (ERP) 120-foot Learning Barge were canceled in 2020, ERC helped ERP purchase a van to create a "Learning Barge on Wheels", a mobile classroom that travels directly to neighborhoods, schools, and youth groups, delivering the hands-on science and river education activities.
• Elizabeth River Trail: ERC helped open a new Double Turbo Challenge Course on the trail. In addition to ERC's financial support, our operations and maintenance teams added lights near and around the park, made minor landscaping and structural changes to surrounding areas, and are currently evaluating ways to bring a water supply to the park.
• Hampton Roads Transit: Per an agreement signed in 2013, ERC makes an annual "Support Services" payment of $2,145,000 to Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) to enhance and expand transit services between Portsmouth and Norfolk. ERC's "Support Services" include the leasing of seven 40-ft buses, labor, fuel, maintenance, and insurance. The buses are not obligated to pay tolls at our tunnels.
• VDOT Toll Relief Program: To help ease the financial burden of the tolls on Norfolk and Portsmouth residents, ERC funds the program by contributing $500,000 annually and will continue to do so until 2037. Through the program, eligible residents can receive refunds when they take eight or more trips per month through the Elizabeth River Tunnels.