Recent Articles from Katherine Schulte
VCU receives approval to purchase Altria Richmond research facility
Virginia Commonwealth University received state approval this week to buy Altria Group’s 450,000-square-foot research building in downtown Richmond. The Altria Center for Research and Technology, which opened in 2007, sits on more than four acres at 600 E. Leigh St. and is assessed for $275 million. Discussions between officials with VCU and Henrico County-based Fortune […]
Defense optics manufacturer to open Virginia Beach facility
Vidarr, which makes night vision goggles and other defense optical equipment, will invest $2.69 million over the next three years to open a manufacturing facility in Virginia Beach, a project estimated to create 40 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Friday. The New Hampshire company’s manufacturing facility is moving into a 16,410-square-foot building located at 2656 […]
Henrico sends default notices to $2.3B GreenCity project developers
Updated March 10 The $2.3 billion GreenCity development in Henrico County appears to be in jeopardy, unless developers make an overdue payment by the end of the week. Henrico County has sent two notices of default — one in regard to the property purchase agreement and one relating to the development agreement — to the […]
Philanthropy: Virginians give to higher education, health care
In the last year, philanthropists and foundations in Virginia have made record-breaking donations to higher education institutions and health care systems, with multiple donors continuing their longstanding support for several institutions. Jane Batten, the matriarch of a philanthropic Hampton Roads family, pledged $100 million to William & Mary in July 2024 — the largest gift […]
Education: Va. colleges increase in-demand programs
Virginia’s higher education institutions grew their degree programs and, in some cases, grew physically in the last year as they sought to train students for in-demand and growing fields. In response to an increasing demand for skilled tech workers, Virginia’s universities have expanded their STEM capacities, manifesting in several cases as new buildings. The University […]
Tourism: New attractions open, break ground statewide
Virginia gained several tourism attractions in the last year, from casino resorts to sports facilities, and saw more projects get underway. In 2024, Virginia’s three casinos brought in about $732.2 million in adjusted gaming revenues, up nearly 32% from 2023. Part of that increase can be attributed to the Caesars Virginia casino in Danville, which […]
Fed should be cautious amid uncertainty, Barkin says
Although inflation is coming down, the Federal Reserve Bank should exercise caution amid economic and geopolitical uncertainty, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President and CEO Tom Barkin said Tuesday while addressing a Rotary Club of Richmond meeting. The economy is in a good place, Barkin said, citing the 2.5% growth in the nation’s gross domestic […]
Conn. developer files amended complaint in $40M Diamond District lawsuit
After a Richmond Circuit Court judge dismissed a Connecticut developer’s $40 million lawsuit over the city’s $2.44 billion Diamond District project, the developer has filed an amended complaint with a change in language. Judge Bradley B. Cavedo ruled Jan. 22 in favor of defendants Thalhimer Realty Partners, a subsidiary of Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer, […]
Boeing to lay off about 200 workers in megarocket program
Arlington County-based Fortune Global 500 aerospace and defense giant Boeing plans to lay off about 200 employees working on NASA’s Space Launch System program in anticipation of potential program cuts or cancellation. The company previously expected to eliminate about 400 positions in the program by April, according to Bloomberg, but now plans to keep roughly […]
Northrop Grumman receives two contracts totaling $1.4B
Northrop Grumman has received two air and missile defense contracts worth a combined $1.4 billion, the Falls Church-based Fortune 500 government contractor announced last week. The contractor received two contracts from the U.S. Army and Poland. Under the $481 million, five-year contract from the Army‘s Aviation Missile Technology Consortium, Northrop Grumman will expand software development[...]