Recent Articles from Beth JoJack
Verge rebrands to Roanoke Blacksburg Innovation Alliance
Verge, a collective of organizations dedicated to tech-based economic development in the Roanoke and New River valleys, announced a rebrand Tuesday, an effort that includes a new website, logo and a new name — the Roanoke Blacksburg Innovation Alliance (RBIA). Previously, Verge, which has roots dating back to 2013, used “Roanoke Blacksburg Innovation Alliance” as […]
While Youngkin celebrates Virginia’s labor force gains, economists warn of future unemployment
Gov. Glenn Youngkin says he feels good about the state’s employment landscape. In an announcement Tuesday, the governor celebrated that Virginia added 7,100 more jobs in January 2025, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). “More Virginians are working than ever in the commonwealth as jobs and opportunity continue to expand […]
Kaufman & Canoles names executive director
Chris Smythe has been named executive director of Kaufman & Canoles, the Norfolk-headquartered law firm announced Monday. In the role, Smythe will oversee the day-to-day operations of the firm and report directly to Jason R. Davis, its president and CEO. Previously, Smythe was president of Tycon Medical Systems, a Norfolk home medical equipment and complex […]
Va. casinos report $75M+ haul for February
February gaming revenues from Virginia’s three casinos totaled $75.2 million, according to a March 14 report from the Virginia Lottery. February’s statewide casino gaming revenues were up $2.86 million from January’s $72.34 million. Last month, Hard Rock Bristol casino reported about $19.75 million in adjusted gaming revenues (wagers minus winnings), of which about $16.43 million[...]
Amazon Fresh, Arlington nonprofit to lay off 200+ workers in Northern Virginia
An Amazon Fresh store in Manassas is closing, and an Arlington County nonprofit is laying off 149 employees due to federal funding cuts, the two employers disclosed in WARN notices to a state agency this week. The Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement, aka Virginia Works, posts federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining (WARN) Act […]
Completed home sales decrease in Feb. for NoVa, Hampton Roads
Housing sales in February decreased year-over-year in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads. Inventory and median selling prices increased in both regions. Northern Virginia Closed sales in Northern Virginia decreased year-over-year in February, according to Northern Virginia Association of Realtors data released March 11. The median home price and active listings rose compared to the same […[...]
Bon Secours hires new chief clinical officer for Richmond market
Dr. David Hasleton is the new chief clinical officer for Bon Secours’ Richmond market, the health system announced Thursday. In this role, Hasleton will oversee clinical operations, working with clinical teams, operational leaders and physicians and advanced practice clinicians. Most recently, Hasleton served as chief medical officer for Intermountain Health, a health system headquartered in[...]
Speyside Bourbon Cooperage in Smyth lays off 75 workers
Speyside Bourbon Cooperage in Atkins will lay off 75 employees at the end of April due to slowdowns in the bourbon industry, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) letter dated Feb. 28. Speyside plans to end second-shift production and third-shift maintenance at the Smyth County facility. Laid-off workers may be recalled “as […]
Executive to retire after three decades at S.L. Nusbaum
Frank H. Cowling, Jr. a partner and senior vice president of private asset management at S.L. Nusbaum Realty, plans to retire at the end of March after four decades working in commercial real estate, according to a Tuesday announcement by the Norfolk-based real estate development company. Cowling joined S.L. Nusbaum in 1994 as vice president […]
Beacon Roofing is target of $11B acquisition bid
Herndon-based Fortune 500 company Beacon Roofing Supply is in discussions to be acquired by Connecticut software and tech services company QXO in a deal valued at about $11 billion. “It’s not a done deal yet, but we’re in friendly discussions,” Joe Checkler, a spokesperson for QXO, said of the move to acquire Beacon, a roofing […]
Dominion files for SCC approval of Chesterfield gas-fired plant
Dominion Energy submitted an application with the Virginia State Corporation Commission Monday to install four natural gas-fired turbines on 95 acres at the utility’s Chesterfield Power Station. Dubbed the Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center (CERC), the facility, which is expected to cost $1.47 billion, will generate 944 megawatts of energy. The plant will provide electricity to […[...]
231-unit apartment complex near U.Va. slated to open in 2027
Work began in mid-February on Blume on Ivy, a 231-unit apartment building on Ivy Road, near the University of Virginia’s School of Data Science. The project is being developed by Up Campus Student Living, a Chicago-based investor, developer and manager of student housing and campus-area real estate. It’s slated to open in fall 2027. A […]