Sign In
Free Newsletter
Gazing into the future
The waterways and shorelines that make up Hampton Roads harbor a historic reputation as ideal hosts for commerce, trade, shipbuilding, military installations and government research. Its beaches and historical sites attract millions of visitors, and the region is home to farms, businesses and universities. We know the past and present, but what about the future […]
Startup resources
Entrepreneurship continues to grow across Hampton Roads, with many organizations dedicated to helping startups and small businesses expand and thrive. Here is a sample of the many resources available: 504 Capital 504capital.com 757 Accelerate 757accelerate.org 757 Angels 757angels.org 757 Startup Studios 757startupstudios.org 757 Makerspace 757makerspace.com Black BRAND blackbrand.biz Business Dev[...]
The Pharrell factor
Some celebrities seem to forget their roots. Fortunately for Hampton Roads, Pharrell Williams is not that kind of star. The Grammy-winning musician with a worldwide following has invested in the area repeatedly over the past several years and is poised to continue. Even as his career took a new path this year when he was […]
Wells Fargo to launch $87M expansion in Roanoke County
San Francisco-based Wells Fargo will spend $87 million to modernize and expand its Roanoke County customer support center, adding 1,100 jobs in a deal that will make the bank the county’s largest employer. The deal is also the largest project employment announcement in the county’s history, as well as its largest commercial office investment, Gov. […]
Amazon to open fulfillment, delivery facilities in Va. Beach
Amazon.com will launch a fulfillment center and delivery station in Virginia Beach, creating an estimated 1,000 full-time jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Monday. Groundbreaking began Monday, according to Ian Allen-Anderson, an Amazon spokesperson. The fulfillment center will be located at the intersection of Harpers and Dam Neck roads, and the delivery station will be “at […]
Lyon Shipyard to expand, adding 134 jobs
Lyon Shipyard, a 95-year-old family-owned ship repair facility in Norfolk, will spend $8.5 million to expand its operations and add an estimated 134 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Wednesday. The shipyard plans to increase its capacity to work on commercial ships and vessels that will work on offshore wind farm operations. Virginia competed with Maryland […]
Va. trade office opens in Taiwan
Virginia has opened its trade office in Taiwan. Announced in April, the office is Virginia’s fourth international trade office and follows Youngkin’s meeting with Taiwan’s president, Tsai Ing-wen, during the governor’s first international trade mission. Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick was joined by Liang-yu Wang, director general of Taiwan’s Dep[...]
German yeast upcycler building plant in Rockingham
Leiber, a German manufacturer that processes brewers’ yeast into animal food, biotechnology and supplements, will invest as much as $20 million to establish its first U.S. operation in Rockingham County’s Innovation Village, adding an estimated 35 jobs. Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced the new facility Monday. It will be completed in phases and increase the company’s […]
Canadian company to spend $22.8M to expand to Suffolk
Toronto-based Automatic Coating Ltd., which provides advanced custom powder, liquid, and blasting, will invest $22.8 million to open its first U.S. location in Suffolk, adding an estimated 50 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Thursday. Virginia competed with Florida for the project. The move supports an existing contract with the U.S. Navy, and the company plans […]
Sandpaper manufacturer to expand in Va. Beach
Hermes Abrasives USA, the U.S. subsidiary of Hamburg, Germany-based Hermes Abrasives, will invest $5.6 million in a Virginia Beach expansion that will add an estimated 30 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Wednesday. Hermes Abrasives manufactures coated and bonded abrasives and grinding tools. The company will return its narrow belt production line to its Virginia Beach […]
Economic Development 2023: BRYAN K. STEPHENS
Stephens has headed the Hampton Roads Chamber for the past 10 years, promoting business concerns in the region, home to Naval Station Norfolk, the world’s largest naval complex, as well as significant manufacturing and hospitality sectors. The chamber maintained its U.S. Chamber of Commerce five-star accreditation in 2022, placing it in the top 1% of […]
Economic Development 2023: ROBERT J. ‘BOB’ STOLLE
Editor’s note: Stolle announced his resignation on Aug. 31, after publication of the Virginia 500. A former state secretary of commerce and trade under Gov. George Allen, Stolle brings years of experience in economic development and public policy to his role leading VIPC. Formerly the Center for Innovative Technology, VIPC is a not-for-profit corporation created […]
