More than 70% of U.S. hotels may not survive pandemic
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the U.S. and travel restrictions are reinstated, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) projects that 71% of hotels won’t survive another six months without federal assistance, according to recent survey results. In Virginia alone, Virginia hotel revenues continued last week to stay well below pre-pandemic levels compared […]
Va. hotel revenues stay at steady decline
As the pandemic surges on, Virginia hotel revenues remain at a steady decline when compared to last year, according to data from STR Inc., a CoStar Group division that provides weekly market data on the U.S. hospitality industry. For the week of Oct. 18 through Oct. 24, hotel revenues in Virginia decreased by 50% and […]
U.Va. launches Sands Institute for Lifelong Learning
Using its largest-ever gift — a $68 million donation last year from Frank M. Sands Sr., founder of Sands Investment Group Inc. — the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business announced Friday it has launched the Marjorie R. and Frank M. Sands Sr. Institute for Lifelong Learning. The Sands Institute for Lifelong Learning will […]
Charlottesville solar company acquires Calif. firm
Charlottesville-based Sigora Solar announced Wednesday it has acquired Rancho Cordova, California-based Aztec Solar. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. “Through the strategic acquisition of Aztec Solar, Sigora is realizing our goal to be a national leader in energy,” Sigora Solar CEO Logan Landry said in a statement. “We at Sigora are driven by a […]
Charlottesville cybersecurity company names defense president
Charlottesville-based cybersecurity technology company Mission Secure Inc. announced Tuesday it has appointed Bob McAleer as president of Mission Secure Defense. A U.S. Army and industry veteran, McAleer most recently served as chief operating officer for Nashville, Tennessee-based Military System Group, which designs and manufactures weapons mounts. He also serves on the board of Utah-based therm[...]
Virginia National, Fauquier banks to merge
The parent holding companies of Virginia National Bank and The Fauquier Bank will merge under the Virginia National brand into a combined bank with $1.6 billion in total assets. Charlottesville-based Virginia National Bankshares Corp. and Warrenton-based Fauquier Bankshares Inc. have signed a definitive merger agreement, the banks announced Thursday. The combined company will have approximately $[...]
Charlottesville launches young professionals group
The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce announced Monday it has launched Cville Rising Professionals, a business networking group for people under the age of 40. The group is open to Chamber members and nonmembers and will assist young professionals in making connections in the business world. “We’ve needed a group like this in Charlottesville for […]
Charlottesville Business Innovation Council announces 2020 awards
Charlottesville Business Innovation Council (CBIC) on Thursday announced winners of its 2020 CBIC awards, which honor entrepreneurship, and gifted $8,500 in scholarships and grants to three student entrepreneurs and a teacher to support entrepreneurship and science and technology education. Below is a list of award recipients: 2020 CBIC Educator of the Year: Dominique Morse, a […]
Michael Milken joins Focused Ultrasound Foundation board
Michael Milken, who was pardoned by President Donald Trump in February over felony charges for securities fraud, has joined the Charlottesville-based Focused Ultrasound Foundation’s board, the organization announced Thursday. Milken (often referred to as the “junk bond king”) is credited with being part of the development of high-yield bonds and was indicted in 1989 for […]
More college students head into quarantine as COVID-19 cases rise
RICHMOND — As more universities open, they’re collecting and releasing COVID-19 data and grappling with contingency plans for those who contract the disease. As of Thursday evening, universities across Virginia were reporting that more than 550 students, staff and faculty members have tested positive for COVID-19 since schools reopened two weeks ago, according to the […]
Blue Ridge, Bay Banks announce merger
Charlottesville-based Blue Ridge Bankshares Inc., the parent holding company of Blue Ridge Bank, announced Thursday it will merge with Richmond-based Bay Banks of Virginia Inc., parent holding company of Virginia Commonwealth Bank, in an all-stock transaction to create a bank with pro forma total market capitalization of nearly $200 million. Under the terms of the […]
Lee Enterprises plans newsroom cuts at Virginia publications
The Daily Progress newspaper in Charlottesville will lay off its four-person copy desk in early October, as Iowa-based owner Lee Enterprises eliminates local jobs in favor of a consolidated copy desk in Indiana or Wisconsin, according to a memo sent to affected employees Friday. The cuts at The Daily Progress are possibly just the beginning […]