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Recent Articles from Beth JoJack
Company behind Chesterfield indoor farm files for bankruptcy
Plenty Unlimited, a San Francisco-based agricultural technology company that counts tech billionaires Jeff Bezos and Eric Schmidt among its investors, has filed for bankruptcy but plans to continue operating its vertical strawberry farm in Chesterfield County throughout the restructuring, according to a company announcement. “This is a challenging time for the vertical farming industry and [[...]
Trump appointee fires Freddie Mac CEO
Bill Pulte, heir of one of the nation’s largest homebuilders, wasted little time launching a house cleaning campaign after being confirmed as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) March 13. On Thursday, Pulte fired Freddie Mac CEO Diana Reid, according to news reports. The government-backed mortgage financing provider’s website lists Freddie Mac President […]
U.Va. eyes $72M replacement data center
The University of Virginia‘s data center is nearing its maximum capacity. So, school leaders think it’s time to build a new one, estimated to cost $72 million, to aid faculty and researchers in their work. “We can already see that our researchers are experiencing significant delays in their ability to access the computational resources,” Kelly […]
ODU taps new dean of Eastern Virginia Medical School
Dr. Judette Louis, a maternal-fetal health physician from the University of South Florida, will be the next dean of the Eastern Virginia Medical School within Old Dominion’s newly created health sciences college, ODU announced this week. Louis will start Sept. 2 as dean of the Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical […]
1.4M-sq-ft Target distribution center coming to New Kent
Target plans to build a 1.4 million-square-foot distribution facility in a busy New Kent County industrial park, with construction work expected to start this month, according to local officials. “This substantial investment and the creation of hundreds of high-quality jobs is a tremendous economic boost for our community and region,” Rodney Hathaway, an administrator for […]
Virginia Fortune 500 company agrees to $11B buyout
Herndon-based Fortune 500 company Beacon Roofing Supply has agreed to an $11 billion buyout by Connecticut software and professional services company QXO after previously rebuffing a slightly lower offer from the same suitor. The two businesses have entered into a definitive merger agreement with QXO purchasing the building supply company for $124.35 per share in […]
Trump Town owner found not guilty of assault, indecent exposure
A judge Monday found Donald “Whitey” Taylor, owner of Boones Mill’s Trump Town retail store, not guilty of misdemeanor charges of indecent exposure and assaulting three store employees. “It was very rewarding,” Taylor said of the verdict. “These ladies were just looking for money.” Requests for comment from the Franklin County’s Commonwealth’s Attorney and to [&hellip[...]
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 […]
