Recent Articles from Kate Andrews
A dramatic shift
Four years ago, no one would have guessed Gov. Ralph Northam would lead the most progressive Virginia administration in modern memory. A native of Onancock on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, as well as a pediatric neurologist and Army veteran, Virginia’s 73rd governor was eyed by some Democrats with suspicion after acknowledging he’d voted twice for President […]
U.Va. alumni make $5M gift to fund professorship
University of Virginia alumni Donna and Richard Tadler made a gift of $5 million that will be used to create a professorship of entrepreneurship at their alma mater, U.Va. President Jim Ryan announced earlier this month. The gift will be matched with $5 million more from the university’s Bicentennial Professorship Fund, for a total investment […]
Former MUFG Americas head tapped as next Va. finance sec
Stephen Emery Cummings, who retired in March as the president and CEO of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) in the Americas, has been chosen as Virginia’s next secretary of finance, Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin announced Wednesday. “Lowering taxes and restoring fiscal responsibility in Richmond is a primary focus of our Day One Game Plan, and Steve’s […]
Virginia named top business climate in U.S. by Business Facilities
Business Facilities magazine, a trade publication that focuses on corporate site selection and economic development, has named Virginia first in the nation for its overall business climate, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday. The state joins fellow honorees Tennessee (recognized for best dealmaking) and Massachusetts, recognized for its workforce and educational system in Business FacilitiesR[...]
Plastics manufacturer to produce 300 jobs in Chesterfield
Starplast USA, a subsidiary of Israel-based plastic manufacturer Starplast, plans to invest $17.7 million in a new facility in Chesterfield County, creating 300 jobs over the next five years, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday. “Starplast chose Chesterfield County for its new manufacturing operation because the geographic location is very attractive, especially given its proximity to […[...]
Merrick named as state’s next commerce secretary
Caren Merrick, the CEO of Virginia Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin’s nonprofit Virginia Ready Initiative, has been chosen to serve as Virginia’s next secretary of commerce and trade, Youngkin’s campaign announced Tuesday. Before leading VA Ready, a role in which she managed $10 million in public and private funding to assist Virginians affected by the COVID-19 pandemic […]
Dominion orders 176 turbines from Siemens Gamesa
Dominion Energy Inc. has ordered 176 offshore wind turbines from Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy S.A. for its 2.6-gigawatt, $9.8 billion Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, the utility announced Monday. The Richmond-based Fortune 500 utility declined to release financial details of the contract. The SG 14-222 DD turbines — at more than 800 feet tall, the […]
Northam proposes $2.1B in tax cuts for ‘working people’
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, who leaves office next month, proposed four tax cuts Tuesday, including eliminating Virginia’s 1.5% sales tax on groceries and providing an income tax cut for low- and middle-income Virginians. He also proposed one-time tax rebates — $250 for individuals and $500 for married couples — and ending “accelerated sales tax” payments […]
Qualtrics expansion expected to bring 400 jobs to Fairfax
Qualtrics, a data analytics and experience management software company based in Seattle and Provo, Utah, is expanding its presence in Fairfax County and expects to create 400 jobs in a new location in Reston, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday. The company will move from its former office in Reston to an 85,000-square-foot space at 1906 […]
Lee Enterprises rejects Alden’s $144M purchase offer
Lee Enterprises Inc.’s board unanimously rejected Alden Global Capital’s $144 million buyout offer made last month, saying it “grossly undervalues” the company and its newspapers, which include 31 publications in Virginia. “The Alden proposal grossly undervalues Lee and fails to recognize the strength of our business today, as the fastest-growing digital subscription plat[...]