Carpenter acquires Belgian foams biz for $468M
Richmond-based Carpenter Co. has completed its acquisition of Belgium-based Recticel’s engineered foams division for $468 million, a deal that makes makes Carpenter the world’s largest vertically integrated manufacturer of polyurethane foams and specialty polymer products, the company announced Wednesday. Founded in 1950, Carpenter is a manufacturer and supplier of foam, fiber and che[...]
Richmond ad agency Yebo announces closure after 35 years
Formerly known as the Barber Martin Agency, Richmond-based Yebo has announced its closure after 35 years. The firm changed its name to Yebo, pronounced “Yay-bow,” in early 2020 to better reflect the firm’s mission. The name means “yes” in the Zulu language of Southern African, which includes Zimbabwe, birth nation of Yebo President and CEO […]
Richmond region launches state’s first tourism district
Virginia’s first tourism improvement district received approval this week and can begin collecting funds from Richmond-region travelers to fund tourism marketing efforts beginning July 1. Following Richmond City Council’s approval vote this week, the new tourism improvement district, or TID, received the necessary support to move forward. Designated areas that raise funds for tourism m[...]
Richmond riverfront amphitheater gets green light
Red Light Ventures LLC’s $30 million, 7,500-person riverfront amphitheater received a green light Monday from Richmond City Council, which approved a performance grant that paves the way for construction of the proposed music and performance venue to start as soon as this summer. With plans to host up to 35 major acts annually, Red Light […]
Richmond City Council passes casino legislation — again
Richmond City Council on Monday selected RVA Entertainment Holdings LLC — a joint venture between Urban One Inc. and Churchill Downs Inc. — as the city’s preferred casino operator, one of several administrative steps the city must take before a mulligan casino referendum lands on ballots in November, asking voters to reconsider allowing the proposed […]
Truist grants $500k to aid Richmond Community Wealth Building office
Truist Foundation announced it has made a $500,000 grant that will ultimately help Richmond‘s Office of Community Wealth Building provide further financial, education and employment coaching to city families, the philanthropic arm of Truist Financial Corp. announced in a press conference Friday. “At Truist, our purpose is to inspire and build better lives and communities, and […]
Va. Board of Accountancy elects next chair
Wendy P. Lewis, a partner in KPMG LLP’s audit practice, will become chair of the Virginia Board of Accountancy on July 1. Lewis is currently the board’s vice chair; her term as chair will end on June 30, 2024. “I’m honored to step into the role of chair. … As the first Black woman to […]
Richmond airport CEO to chair national board
Perry J. Miller, president and CEO of the Capital Region Airport Commission, which includes Richmond International Airport, has been elected 2023-24 chair of the American Association of Airport Executives, the world’s largest professional organization representing individuals who work at public-use commercial and general aviation airports. Miller, who started his term Monday, succeeds Mark [...]
Activation Capital plans $53M innovation center in Richmond
Activation Capital, a Richmond-based innovation incubator, will redevelop a 102,000-square-foot innovation center in the Bio+Tech Park in downtown Richmond, Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer and Activation Capital announced Friday. The 34-acre park, at Eighth and E. Leigh streets, is a commercial life sciences hub adjacent to the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center and has more [&hel[...]
Richmond City Council approves Diamond District
Richmond City Council voted unanimously May 8 to approve the $2.44 billion Diamond District project, which includes a replacement for the aging stadium that’s home to the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels baseball team. The Diamond District’s first phase, expected to cost $627.6 million, includes a 9,000-capacity, $90 million-plus baseball stadium and a hotel with at […]
VCU names new engineering dean
Azim Eskandarian, a Virginia Tech mechanical engineering professor and department head, has been named the next dean of the Virginia Commonwealth University College of Engineering, VCU announced Tuesday. Eskandarian, whose appointment takes effect Aug. 1, will also serve as the William H. Goodwin Jr. Endowed Chair of the engineering college. He’s currently department head and […]
Forvis names new Va. managing partner
Forvis has named Jennifer Wold as managing partner of its Virginia practice unit, the accounting firm announced Monday. Wold’s role becomes effective June 1. She succeeds Tom Hazelwood, who has served as managing partner for the past year. Wold will oversee offices in Richmond, where she will be based, and in Norfolk. She is a […]


















