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A time to build
The Shenandoah Valley Partnership had more economic development activity than “anyone anticipated in 2022,” says Jay Langston, the partnership’s executive director. During the calendar year, the partnership saw close to $140 million in investment and 520 jobs. In Fishersville, Amazon.com Inc. is building a $120 million, 1 million-square-foot nonsortable fulfillment center, which handle[...]
Farmer Focus to create 300 jobs with $17.8M expansion
Harrisonburg-based Farmer Focus is planning a $17.8 million expansion that will create 300 jobs and double its processing capacity, the organic poultry producer announced this week. Part of that expansion will be paid for with a $3.6 million grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP). U.S. Secretary […]
Class conflicts
Makena Massarella, a 20-year-old junior at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, is well on her way to becoming part of the solution to one of the most vexing problems facing Virginia and the nation: the shortage of teachers. She wants to be an elementary school teacher, the most in-demand position out of 10 critical shortages […]
Coworking hub for entrepreneurs opening in Harrisonburg
The brains behind the Staunton Innovation Hub are working on bringing a new hub to a new city: the $4.5 million Harrisonburg Innovation Hub is expected to open in late 2023, investors and partners announced Tuesday. Harrisonburg “has a very vibrant and growing startup ecosystem in place already, and there’s just a need for it […]
JMU fundraising campaign brings in $251M
James Madison University’s second comprehensive fundraising campaign, Unleashed, raised more than $251 million, the Harrisonburg university announced Friday. The eight-year fundraising campaign, which exceeded its $200 million goal in March 2021, ended June 30. It began with an advanced gift phase in July 2014 before JMU announced it publicly in October 2018. Unleashed attracted 63,976 [&hel[...]
JMU hires first DEI VP
James Madison University has named Malika Carter its inaugural vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion and chief diversity officer, the university announced Monday. Carter will start Aug. 25. “This appointment is a great honor,” Carter said in a statement. “JMU is well positioned to become, in the field of inclusion, a lead institution that […]
Return to form
In terms of business activity and economic development wins, 2021 turned out to be a stellar year for the Shenandoah Valley. “We have exceeded what we anticipated from a business activity perspective,” says Jay Langston, executive director of the Shenandoah Valley Partnership, which promotes economic development from Shenandoah County to Rockbridge County. “When government shut […]
B-Cubed program aids minority-owned businesses
A minority business assistance program in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County has helped 15 businesses and disbursed $21,700 in grant money in its first year of operation. With $200,000 in state and federal grant awards announced in October 2021, organizers of the Black- and Brown-Owned Business Growth Program, known as B-Cubed, hope to attract more business […]
JMU student and alumni entrepreneurs get boost from program
The James Madison University Bluestone Seed Fund announced Monday that it would provide three startup companies with $5,000 each in its inaugural investment cycle. The Gilliam Center for Entrepreneurship manages the donor-backed fund. The three chosen startups are Gewd Botanicals, Handicans and Tow Ninja. Malique Middleton, a 2021 graduate, founded Gewd Botanicals, a shop that […]
2021 APPELLATE LAW Q&A
Lucas I. Pangle Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver PLC, Harrisonburg Title: Associate Other legal specialties: Administrative law, occupational safety and health, and bankruptcy Birthplace: Maurertown in Shenandoah County Education: Bachelor’s degree in neuroscience, Duke University; law degree, William & Mary School of Law Fan of: Duke Blue Devils basketball Recently read book: “The Co[...]
2021 ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION Q&A
P. Marshall Yoder Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver PLC, Harrisonburg Title: Of Counsel Other legal specialties: Corporate law, education law and mediation Education: Bachelor’s degree, University of North Carolina; law degree, Campbell University School of Law; master’s degree, Eastern Mennonite University Spouse: Julie Children: Samuel and Benjamin Fan of: University of North Caroli[...]
Canadian frozen food company to create 67 jobs in Warren County
Montreal-based Nature’s Touch Frozen Foods LLC will spend $40.3 million to expand in Warren County, creating 67 jobs, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday. Harrisonburg-based InterChange Group Inc. will build a 126,000-square-foot facility for Nature’s Touch. The company will import raw materials directly to the new facility for processing and distribution. In 2014, Nature’s Touc[...]
