Va. to expand networking program to new regions
During the next two years Virginia will invest $1.7 million to expand the Network2Work workforce development initiative, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday. The commonwealth will partner with the Virginia Community College System to pilot the Network2Work model in the Shenandoah Valley, Hampton Roads and greater Richmond regions. Network2Work was established by Piedmont Virginia Community Colleg[...]
Richmond extends deadline for small business, nonprofit relief program
The city of Richmond has extended the deadline for its Richmond Recovers Grant Program, giving small businesses and nonprofits until Oct. 19 to apply for grants ranging from $10,000 to $15,000, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney’s office announced Tuesday. The city allocated $3 million of its federal CARES Act funding to the program, which has $1.68 […]
University of Richmond president to step down
University of Richmond President Ronald A. Crutcher announced Wednesday he has asked the board of trustees to begin a search for his successor, with plans to have a new president take office no later than July 1, 2022. Following his term as president, Crutcher and his wife, Betty, will travel to Berlin for a sabbatical […]
Central Va. sales, use tax rate to increase Oct. 1
Starting Oct. 1, the sales and use tax rate in Central Virginia will go up by 0.7% to a total of 6%, Virginia Tax announced Tuesday. The change approved by the 2020 Virginia General Assembly affects the 4.3% state tax, the 0.7% regional state tax and the 1% local option tax. Affected localities include Richmond […]
Richmond Times-Dispatch, Roanoke Times, Daily Progress see newsroom layoffs
Updated Sept. 11 At least five newsroom staffers at the Richmond Times-Dispatch were told Friday that they were being laid off by owner Lee Enterprises. Four people laid off were part of the bargaining unit for the Richmond Newspapers Professional Association, the Times-Dispatch’s newsroom union, a representative confirmed. They include a business reporter, a photojournalist, […]
Richmond investment bank launches health care group
Richmond-based investment bank Matrix Capital Markets Group Inc. announced Wednesday it has established the Matrix Healthcare Banking Group, which will focus on health care subsectors. The industry group will be led by Amanda Verner Thompson and Vasanta B. Pundarika, who joined the firm as managing directors and co-heads of the new group. Their focus will […]
Universal Corp. to acquire dehydrated foods company for $170M
Richmond-based international tobacco leaf supply company Universal Corp. announced Tuesday it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Momence, Illinois-based dehydrated vegetable, fruit and herb processing company Silva International for $170 million in cash. Following the transaction, Silva will operate as part of Universal’s plant-based ingredients platform, which includes Fruit[...]
Dominion seeks to keep North Anna nuclear plant operating into 2060
Richmond-based Dominion Energy has filed an application with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to renew the operating license for its North Anna nuclear power station for an additional 20 years. In operation since 1978 and 1980, North Anna’s two reactor units are currently licensed to operate until 2038 and 2040. The renewal would have the reactor […]
Puritan Cleaners acquires HandCraft Cleaners
Richmond-based dry-cleaning business Puritan Cleaners has acquired HandCraft Cleaners, another Richmond-based, family-owned dry-cleaning company, the businesses announced Thursday. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. “We are extremely pleased to welcome HandCraft Cleaners’ customers to the Puritan Cleaners family and are honored to have the opportunity to continue to provide them [...]
Md.-based HVAC company to acquire two Richmond firms
Columbia, Maryland-based HVAC equipment manufacturer’s representative Havtech announced Thursday it will acquire Richmond-based companies Air Conditioning Equipment Sales Inc. (ACES) and Mechanical Systems Testing & Balancing Inc. (MSTB). Terms of the transactions were not disclosed. Founded in 1971, ACES is an HVAC manufacturer’s representative for the Central Virginia, Tidewater [...]
More college students head into quarantine as COVID-19 cases rise
RICHMOND — As more universities open, they’re collecting and releasing COVID-19 data and grappling with contingency plans for those who contract the disease. As of Thursday evening, universities across Virginia were reporting that more than 550 students, staff and faculty members have tested positive for COVID-19 since schools reopened two weeks ago, according to the […]
Dominion Energy, Altria commit grant funding for small businesses
Updated 2:30 p.m. Aug. 27 Two Virginia corporate giants announced details Thursday on funding for small businesses in Richmond and Hampton Roads affected by protest-related damage and ongoing coronavirus hardships. Altria Group Inc., based in Henrico County, and Richmond-based Dominion Energy Inc. pledged $5 million each for small businesses and social justice organizations in June, […]