Commentary: Compete to win through innovation
Innovation and startups are key elements of a vibrant and healthy economy. Startups are responsible for most of the significant technological breakthroughs in recent years, and these new businesses create jobs, drive market competition and lead to a higher standard of living. Virginia has helped launch many great innovation success stories in key industries, including […]
Air compressor maker plans $7.4M Norfolk expansion
Norfolk-based Bauer Compressors Inc., a subsidiary of Munich-based Bauer Kompressoren Group, will invest $7.4 million to expand its production capacity in Norfolk, creating an estimated 47 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Wednesday. The company will increase its capacity to produce hydrogen and natural gas compressors. “Bauer’s long-term success in the city of Norfolk reinforces the [&h[...]
Convenience products distributor to double size in Salem
Layman Distributing, a woman-owned wholesale distributor of convenience and grocery store products, will invest $6.8 million to expand in Salem, adding 42 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Friday. The company will relocate to a facility at 2157 Aspersion Drive, doubling its current square footage and operational capacity. Founded in 1948, the company is currently located […]
Agtech startup to invest $25M in Albemarle expansion
Agricultural biotech startup AgroSpheres will invest $25 million to expand in Albemarle County, creating an estimated 50 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Thursday. The company will increase production at its facility at 1180 Seminole Trail and build a research and development and demonstration facility for new products, which will be a pilot plant for a […]
Lynchburg transformer manufacturer to add 149 jobs
Industrial power equipment manufacturer Delta Star Inc. will invest $30.2 million to expand its manufacturing operation and headquarters in Lynchburg, creating an estimated 149 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Wednesday. The company will add 80,000 square feet of mobile power transformer manufacturing space to its 300,000-square-foot facility located at 3550 Mayflower Drive and will consolidate[...]
Henrico insurer to create 100 jobs in HQ expansion
Specialty insurer Richmond National Group Inc. will invest $350,000 to expand its Henrico County headquarters, a move expected to create more than 100 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Tuesday. The company, founded in 2021 as a holding company for Richmond National Insurance Co., will add 7,200 square feet of office space to its roughly 10,000-square-foot […]
Port cranes: Cause for concern?
The Port of Virginia may have as many as 30 Chinese ship-to-shore cranes that have come under scrutiny from Pentagon officials over national security concerns. Five more cranes are scheduled for delivery next year. Manufactured by state-owned company Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co., known as ZPMC, the cranes are a possible security risk, according to […]
Va. to establish trade office in Taiwan
Virginia will establish a trade office in Taipei, Taiwan’s capital, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Monday morning after meeting with that country’s president, Tsai Ing-wen. Youngkin‘s meeting with Taiwan’s president came during the governor’s first international trade mission, during which he will also stop in Seoul, South Korean and Tokyo throughout the remainder of A[...]
Va. launching semiconductor workforce initiative
The commonwealth is launching a Virginia Alliance for Semiconductor Technology to foster a semiconductor industry workforce, funding its establishment with a $3.3 million Growth and Opportunity for Virginia (GO Virginia) grant. Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced the initiative Friday. In March, GO Virginia announced the $3.3 million grant to the program, then called the Virginia Nanotechnology [&hellip[...]
Lego breaks ground on $1B Chesterfield facility
The Lego Group broke ground Thursday on its $1 billion Chesterfield County manufacturing facility — launching the Danish toymaker’s first U.S. manufacturing plant and one of Virginia’s biggest economic development projects. The Billund, Denmark-based toy company known for its brightly colored plastic toy bricks and construction sets plans to hire 1,761 people to work at […]
Governor would delay subminimum wage ban for disabled workers
RICHMOND, Va. ‒ Gov. Glenn Youngkin recently recommended the General Assembly accept an amended version of a bill that ends the practice of paying subminimum wage to certain Virginia workers with disabilities. A certificate exemption under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act allows employers to determine pay for disabled workers based on a productivity calculation […]
Youngkin to meet with Taiwan’s president
Amid rising tensions with China, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin will meet with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on his first international trade mission this month. Youngkin will travel to Taipei City, Taiwan; Tokyo; and Seoul, South Korea, from April 24 to April 29, according to a Tuesday news release. “I’m excited to represent the commonwealth in […]