Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones will meet with top White House officials at the White House  Thursday to join a forum with other Virginia leaders.

Jones will attend a Communities in Action forum, part of a series the Biden-Harris Administration is holding to talk with local elected leaders on the use of federal money.

Over the last few years, Newport News received $67 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds, and an additional $144 million from the federal government in other areas.

“Having a seat at the table on the national level like this is vital to bringing more federal dollars to Newport News,” Jones said in a statement.

This isn't the first time Jones has been invited to the White House.

In December, he and other mayors met with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttegieg, Labor Secretary Marty Walsh and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge.

Jones made history at the end of last year when he became Newport News’ youngest Black elected mayor.

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