New Metro railcars set to be built in D.C. region
Metro’s new fleet of railcars will be built in the Washington, D.C., region, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced Wednesday. Hitachi Rail Washington LLC, an entity related to Japanese manufacturer Hitachi, has been awarded a contract worth up to $2.2 billion to build up to 800 railcars. The base order for the system’s 8000-series […]
Manufacturing/logistics building coming to Meadowville Technology Park
A newly announced 353,044-square-foot manufacturing and industrial facility will be the first spec building constructed at Meadowville Technology Park, which is owned by the Chesterfield County Economic Development Authority. The project is being developed by Columbia, South Carolina-based Red Rock Developments and Stamford, Connecticut-based Westport Capital Partners LLC. It is Red Rock’s f[...]
757 economic recovery plan focuses on cooperation
At a Thursday news conference, Hampton Roads regional leaders unveiled a new economic recovery plan for the next two years that focuses on cooperation and resiliency. Hampton Roads Alliance President and CEO Doug Smith presented a report detailing multiple goals for the region to help it recover financially after the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting job […]
George Mason University names research, innovation, econ. dev. VP
George Mason University announced Friday it has hired Andre Marshall as its vice president for research, innovation and economic development and president of the university’s research foundation, effective July 1. He succeeds Deb Crawford, who left GMU to become vice chancellor for research at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Marshall currently serves as the program director […]
Norfolk’s MacArthur Center may meet the wrecking ball
Downtown Norfolk’s MacArthur Center, a 140-store mall that opened in 1999, may have a future date with a wrecking ball. According to a newsletter released March 2 by Norfolk’s economic development department, a complete teardown of the 1.1 million-square-foot structure is one of three possibilities envisioned for MacArthur Center’s future by the city, which does […]
Prince William company to expand manufacturing of COVID-19 test products
Prince William County-based Ceres Nanosciences Inc. will increase manufacturing of its reagent product used in COVID-19 tests, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday. The project will create 50 jobs in engineering, advanced manufacturing and materials science during the next three years. “This expansion will enable Ceres Nanosciences to vastly increase production of its patented technology to [&[...]
Richmond council clears way for $325M VCU Health project
Richmond City Council approved the sale of the city’s Public Safety Building on Monday, clearing the way for a $325 million VCU Health System medical office tower and multi-use project downtown. Council members unanimously approved the 3-acre property’s $3.5 million sale to Capital City Partners LLC, a collaboration between Michael Hallmark of Los Angeles-based Future […]
UPDATED: Golden Nugget, Wind Creek enter proposals to build Richmond casino
Updated 3 p.m., Feb. 24 Joining at least four other groups competing to be chosen as Richmond’s choice for a casino operator, bids from two other casino companies were made public Wednesday. Houston-based Golden Nugget Hotels & Casinos has proposed a $400 million casino project about six miles from downtown, and Wind Creek Hospitality, affiliated […]
Textiles startup opening Buchanan County sewing factory
Local textiles manufacturing startup Maine Five is opening a sewing factory at Buchanan County’s Council Industrial Park building. Investing $350,000 in the 17,211-square-foot factory space, the company is immediately hiring 12 workers and has plans to employ to 100 total workers by 2026. Founded in 2020, Maine Five manufactures medical supplies, bags and field kits […]
GMU establishes President’s Innovation Advisory Council
George Mason University President Gregory Washington on Monday announced he has formed an advisory roundtable of nearly 30 regional business executives and community leaders to focus on the university’s innovation initiative. The President’s Innovation Advisory Council will focus on issues such as GMU’s efforts to increase the pipeline of tech workers. George Mason’s innova[...]
Greater Richmond Partnership taps new CEO
Greater Richmond Partnership’s board announced Monday that Jennifer Wakefield, the regional economic development organization’s interim leader, has been chosen as its permanent president and CEO, effective immediately. Wakefield, who previously was chief operating officer and served twice as the partnership’s interim president, joined GRP in 2017 as its senior vice president of m[...]
Northam announces $3.6M expansion of Eaton in Henrico
Power management manufacturer and supplier Eaton Corp. plc will invest $3.6 million to move production from California to its facility in Henrico County, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Friday. The move will create 80 jobs through the expansion of the Henrico facility’s production capabilities and the addition of new lines for electrical component manufacturing. Eaton, an […]