Trump White House says tariffs will be enacted Feb. 1
The Trump administration says it will impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China beginning Saturday, Feb. 1. “The president will be implementing tomorrow 25% tariffs on Mexico, 25% tariffs on Canada and a 10% tariff on China for the illegal fentanyl that they have sourced and allowed to distribute into our country, which has killed […]
White House decisions weigh heavily on Va., Hampton Roads economies, experts say
While federal workers ponder taking a buyout offer from President Donald Trump and a now-rescinded federal funding freeze memo caused confusion and worry over the status of major economic development projects in Virginia, economists at Old Dominion University say uncertainty in Washington, D.C., is the major factor affecting the state’s and Hampton Roads’ economic futures […]
2024 Va. housing market outpaced 2023 — barely
There were 102,509 home sales in Virginia in 2024. That’s 4,000 more than the previous year, according to Virginia Realtors. “While Virginia’s 2024 housing market ended stronger than 2023, it was still relatively slow compared to average levels,” Ryan Price, chief economist for the trade organization, said in a statement. “Looking ahead to 2025, we predict pent-up […[...]
Here’s what Richmond Fed chief forecasts for 2025 economy
The economic forecast for 2025 is sunny, with a high chance of business optimism, according to Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President and CEO Tom Barkin, who spoke Thursday during the virtual 2025 Financial Forecast held by the Virginia Bankers Association and the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. “I went back this morning and looked at […]
Fed’s Fifth District economy grows modestly
Economic activity in the Federal Reserve‘s Fifth District (a multistate region including Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Maryland) grew modestly from early September, according to the latest edition of the Fed‘s Beige Book, released Wednesday. Published eight times per year, the Beige Book is based on anecdotal information about economic conditions gathered [...]
High stakes
The 2024 presidential race between Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump carries hefty consequences for Virginia’s economy that will be even more pronounced than in previous elections. Presidents are limited by the constraints of Congress — particularly if either chamber is held by the opposing party — and the clunkiness […]
Virginia saw 15,000 jobs created in June
Virginia reported 15,000 jobs created in June, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Friday. Overall, the commonwealth has seen 258,000 jobs created since January 2022, according to the news release from the governor’s office. “The jobs report is yet another good sign about the resiliency of the Virginia economy,” Bob McNab, an economist at Old Dominion University, […]
Barkin: Still a waiting game for interest rates’ effect on inflation
The U.S. economy has yet to feel the effects of current interest rates, but it eventually will, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President and CEO Tom Barkin predicted Thursday during an event held by the Risk Management Association’s Richmond chapter in the city’s East End. “I’m optimistic that we’ve gotten rates at a restrictive level […]
Va. housing market dampens in March
The pace of sales in Virginia’s housing market slowed in March, declining 7.3% over March 2023, according to data released by Virginia Realtors Tuesday. In March, there were 8,075 home sales in the commonwealth, 634 fewer sales than this time last year. At the end of the month, there were 14,950 homes on the market, […]
Fed’s Fifth District economy grows slightly
The economy in the Federal Reserve‘s Fifth District (a multistate region including Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Maryland) grew slightly in recent weeks, according to the latest edition of the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book, released April 17. Published eight times per year, the Beige Book is based on anecdotal information about economic conditions [&hellip[...]
NoVa, Hampton Roads home sales fall in March
Home sales in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads dropped year-over-year in March, a reversal from sales growth seen in February. Median sales prices, though, continued to rise. Northern Virginia Northern Virginia home sales in March dropped 13.8% from March 2023, a reversal from the year-over-year sales growth seen in February, according to data the Northern […]
Slow and steady
The Lynchburg region has seen the slowest job growth of any metro area in Virginia over the past three years, according to economic analyses, and it typically has a higher unemployment rate than the state average. But there’s more to the story, some officials say. For instance, the Lynchburg region saw 23 inquiries from economic […]





















