Clear waters
After receiving its final federal approvals in January, Dominion Energy‘s $9.8 billion Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project remains on track for completion in late 2026, at which point the 2.6-gigawatt project could power up to 660,000 homes. “CVOW is on budget, on time, and we’re gearing up for construction and excited about getting it to […]
Prime for development
In the past year, Amazon.com continued its march across the commonwealth, announcing plans to build a 650,000-square-foot fulfillment center and a 219,000-square-foot delivery station in Virginia Beach, which are collectively expected to produce more than 1,000 jobs. About 60% the size of the Pentagon, Virginia’s second largest building belongs to Amazon — a 3.8 million-square-foot [&helli[...]
Executive insights
Virginia Business asked six Hampton Roads leaders to discuss how their organizations are contributing to the region‘s success and meeting challenges such as workforce recruitment and inflation. DAWN GLYNN President and chief experience officer, Corporate Services Group, TowneBank, Suffolk How are your customers responding to inflation and higher interest rates? After many years of historic[...]
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 […]
Economic Development 2023: DOUG SMITH
After serving as Norfolk‘s city manager and Virginia Beach‘s deputy city manager, Smith now leads the Hampton Roads Alliance, the regional economic development organization representing 14 municipalities and numerous private-sector investors. For the past four years, Smith and his team have helped establish Hampton Roads as an important center in the offshore wind industry, as [&hellip[...]
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[...]
Chesapeake preps 1,400-acre industrial park
Whenever a big economic development announcement from another state pops up in the news, Hampton Roads Alliance President and CEO Doug Smith can count on his phone ringing. “I get a call from somebody saying, ‘Why didn’t we get that?’” says Smith. “And the answer is real simple: We didn’t have 500 acres or 1,500 […]
Tech manufacturer to add 32 jobs in Newport News
Newport News-based automated machinery designer Mühlbauer Inc. will invest $9 million to expand its Newport News operation, a project expected to create 32 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Thursday. Mühlbauer Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of German company Mühlbauer Group. The company will make upgrades to its Oakland Industrial Park facility and add production equipment. […]
SW community colleges to create wind manufacturing workforce
The presidents of four community colleges in Southwest Virginia signed a memorandum of understanding Wednesday to establish a wind manufacturing workforce development partnership. “Today’s MOU signing is meaningful because it demonstrates our resident and abiding interest in collaborating. Our four community college presidents are setting an example of how to find ways to work together[...]
Recycling joint venture to create 210 jobs in Chesapeake
Two sustainable development companies — New Jersey-based Kamine Development Corp. and Minnesota-based Nicollet Industries LLC — will invest $267 million to establish a joint venture paperboard recycling and production facility in Chesapeake, a project expected to create 210 jobs, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday. The 335,000-square-foot Celadon Development Corp. facility will be at the Che[...]
Southwest Va. project will help manufacturers enter wind energy supply chain
Public-private campaign InvestSWVA announced Tuesday the launch of an economic development initiative designed to help Southwest Virginia manufacturers find entry points in the supply chain for wind energy equipment components. The initiative, called Project Veer, will connect Southwest Virginia manufacturers with industry experts, public sector partners, the Hampton Roads Alliance, Dominion Energ[...]
Norfolk software company to expand, create 37 jobs
A Norfolk-based software company will expand its operation and create 37 jobs, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday. SVT Robotics, a company that accelerates the deployment of industrial robotics, will invest $101,400 to expand in the Ghent area of Norfolk. The company will build a lab to house robotic equipment used to demonstrate its proprietary platform […]