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Recent Articles from Rachael Smith
Clarke County limits solar development
Clarke County prioritizes agriculture. That’s what drives most of its policy-making as the county navigates the complexities of renewable energy development while preserving its farmland, explains County Administrator Chris Boies. In January, the county’s Board of Supervisors approved new regulations for utility-scale solar projects. Boies says the ordinance has always required solar plants to[...]
Roanoke/New River Year-in-Review: Meeting the demand
The Roanoke and New River Valley regions each had their most successful economic development year in recent history, according to John Hull, executive director of the Roanoke Regional Partnership. That’s thanks to $387 million worth of economic investments announced in 2023, potentially creating thousands of jobs. Roanoke County landed the biggest fish, with Wells Fargo […]
Roanoke/New River Valley Big Deal: Banking on Roanoke
When Roanoke County economic development officials pitched Wells Fargo on expanding its customer support center operation in the county, they emphasized how well they’d taken care of the nation’s fourth-largest bank previously and how they would continue to do so. The pitch worked. Now the bank’s $87 million expansion will be the largest commercial office […]
Addiction recovery center set to open in Dickenson County
Kentucky-based Addiction Recovery Care is expanding its addiction recovery services into Virginia. Opening in Dickenson County in early to mid-2024, Wildwood Recovery Center, ARC’s first recovery center in the state, will provide treatment for substance use disorders in a residential program allowing individuals to stay for up to one year. ARC’s mission goes beyond recovery, […]
Small biz pilot program to aid Phoebus retailers
Five small retailers in Hampton’s Phoebus downtown historic district will receive micro grants and nearly a year of free professional guidance, thanks to funding from a state grant awarded to The Retail Alliance, a nonprofit trade association in Norfolk. The Retail Alliance and the Phoebus Partnership, a nonprofit organization bolstering area small businesses, won the […]
Reddix creates hub for women entrepreneurs
Angela Reddix is making it her business to create economic opportunities for women. “That is my absolute heart’s desire — to make it easier for girls and women to have access to wealth, and that means understanding it. That means being able to see it. That means being able to be invited in rooms where […]
100 People to Meet in 2024
Virginia is full of interesting people, and when it comes to this year’s batch of 100 people to meet for 2024, the commonwealth continues to deliver a bevy of fascinating newsmakers, professionals and go-getters worthy of your valuable networking time. In Virginia Business’ fifth annual list of people to meet in the new year, you’ll […]
ACP expands pharmacy doctoral program to Abingdon
The Appalachian College of Pharmacy has expanded its Doctor of Pharmacy program to the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon in response to increased post-pandemic demand for pharmacists. ACP aims to accommodate students from Abingdon and surrounding areas, helping to retain talent locally. Classes began at the center on Aug. 29, with 10 students in […]
Arlington residents sue over ‘missing middle’ zoning
Ten Arlington County residents filed a lawsuit against the county in April that claims Arlington’s new “missing middle” zoning ordinance was passed in March without proper notice and violates Virginia law. “Missing middle” refers to the range of options that fall between affordable housing and single-family homes, including duplexes and other higher-density residences. On March […[...]
Startup competition expands to SWVA
Rural communities need extra love when it comes to additional business resources, says Kathy Deacon, vice president of business and resource development for the Vinton-based Advancement Foundation. The foundation has been running “The Gauntlet,” a business program and pitch competition, since 2015, expanding it into Southwest Virginia this year. Since the program is run online, […]
