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Smithfield Foods to pay $2M to settle child labor claims
A subsidiary of Virginia-based Smithfield Foods has agreed to pay $2 million to settle allegations it hired children to work at a meat packaging plant in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Smithfield’s operation in Minnesota allegedly employed at least 11 children between the ages of 14 and 17 during the […]
Dairy products manufacturer to expand in Augusta
Shamrock Farms, an Arizona-based dairy products manufacturer, will invest $59 million to expand its Augusta County manufacturing operation, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Tuesday. Shamrock Farms expects to create 28 jobs through the expansion, which will add 81,000 square feet to the manufacturer’s 250,000-square-foot facility in Mill Place Commerce Park. The company opened its Augusta facili[...]
Gordon Ramsay to open restaurant at Caesars Virginia
Cantankerous celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay plans to open a restaurant called Ramsay’s Kitchen at the $750 million Caesars Virginia casino in Danville by the end of 2024, the casino resort announced Tuesday. “Caesars Virginia sets the standard for approachable luxury, and I’m so proud to open my first [Virginia] restaurant here inside this beautiful resort,” […]
Growth in the valley
It can take a village — or a valley — to attract a multinational corporation. Shenandoah Valley economic and workforce development officials combined forces to entice Northrop Grumman to locate a 315,000-square-foot advanced electronics manufacturing and testing facility on a 63-acre site in Waynesboro, a project announced in November 2023. Construction of the $200 million-plus […]
Mars to purchase Cheez-It, Pop-Tarts maker in $35.9B deal
Updated Aug. 16 McLean-based snack and pet care giant Mars announced Wednesday it has entered into a $35.9 billion, all-cash deal to purchase Kellanova, the maker of Cheez-It, Pop-Tarts, Pringles, Eggo and other food brands. Kellanova, created in October 2023 when Kellogg split into two companies, had 2023 net sales of more than $13 billion, […]
Va. tourism generated $33.3B for 2023
Virginia’s tourism industry generated $33.3 billion in visitor spending in 2023, an increase of nearly 10% over 2022, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Monday. “The commonwealth’s record-breaking visitor spending numbers are a testament to our abundance of attractions and unique destinations,” Gov. Youngkin stated in a news release. Virginia’s tourism industry supported over [...]
Homestead Creamery to expand Franklin County facility
Dairy products maker Homestead Creamery will carry out a $2.5 million renovation and expansion of its Franklin County production facility, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Wednesday. The company will build a new ice cream production room and install additional production and refrigeration equipment and freezers. The expansion is in response to growing customer demand for the […]
HP Hood announces $83.5M expansion in Frederick County
HP Hood, a nationally branded dairy processor, will invest more than $83.5 million to expand dairy processing operations at its Winchester-area facility in Frederick County, Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s office announced Tuesday. The project includes upgrades to production and packaging equipment as well as construction of additional warehouse and cooler space. HP Hood’s expansion will provide[...]
Mars to acquire British chocolatier for $662M
A subsidiary of McLean-based international candy and pet food manufacturer Mars, the largest privately held company in Virginia, has agreed to acquire Britain’s Hotel Chocolat for $662 million, Mars announced Thursday. Bidco, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mars, will acquire Britain’s largest chocolate maker in a cash offer at 375 pence per share, or about $662 […]
Food/bev distributor opens $275M Caroline County center
Food and beverage distributor World Class Distribution has opened its nearly finished $275 million, 1.2 million-square-foot distribution center in Caroline County with 400 employees, the county’s board of supervisors announced Tuesday. Gov. Glenn Youngkin initially announced the project in November 2022, at which time WCD expected to add 745 jobs. The company now plans to […]
Travis Hill to step down as Va. ABC’s CEO
Travis Hill, CEO of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority, announced Thursday he plans to step down from his post at the ABC, where he’s worked since 2014. Hired nine years ago as the Virginia ABC’s chief operating officer, Hill became CEO in 2018 after managing the former state department’s transition to a semi-independent authority […]
Virginia ABC: Vodka is Va.’s best-selling spirit
Tito’s Handmade Vodka notched its sixth year as the commonwealth’s most popular liquor at Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority stores in fiscal 2023. According to VABC, the Austin, Texas-based craft vodka accounted for $72 million in sales in fiscal 2023, up $5.1 million over the prior year. Tito’s out-guzzled other spirits by a long shot; […]
