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Va. invests $722M in broadband expansion
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam this week announced a state investment of $722 million in grants toward expanding high-speed internet service in 70 localities across the commonwealth. The governor says the funding will help Virginia achieve 90% of its universal broadband access goal by 2024. “Broadband access impacts every facet of our daily lives, from education […]
Youngkin promises biz-friendly climate for Va.
Talent, taxes and regulations, broadband access and energy are the top concerns for Virginia businesses, according to survey results gathered for the Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s Blueprint Virginia 2030, an action plan for strengthening Virginia’s economy. And those are also priorities for Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin, he said Friday in a speech during the Virginia Economic […]
In memoriam: Va. Gov. Linwood Holton
The iconic fall 1970 photo of Virginia Gov. Linwood Holton escorting his daughter Tayloe to majority-Black John F. Kennedy High School is the enduring image of the Republican governor‘s term. “He was fiercely independent,” says A.E. Dick Howard, the University of Virginia law professor who led the 1970 campaign to ratify a new state Constitution […]
VEDP board taps interim president
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership Board of Directors’ executive committee voted unanimously on Nov. 17 to name Jason El Koubi interim president and CEO of the partnership, effective Jan. 1. VEDP’s executive vice president, El Koubi has been with the organization since July 2017. “We have succeeded because we have a highly talented, dedicated team, […]
Stephen Moret to leave VEDP
Virginia Economic Development Partnership President and CEO Stephen Moret will leave VEDP to become president and CEO of Indianapolis-based Strada Education Network in January, Strada and VEDP announced Wednesday. Moret expects that VEDP’s board will appoint Executive Vice President Jason El Koubi to serve as interim CEO and a nationwide search will be conducted for […]
Northam, state officials make European trade trip
Before handing over the keys to the Executive Mansion to Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam is skipping town for one last overseas business trip. Northam is leading an international trade and marketing mission to Belgium, Spain and Germany this week with a delegation including Chief of Staff Clark Mercer, Secretary of Commerce and […]
GOP delegates throw in hats for House speaker
Updated 8:30 p.m. Nov. 3 A few key delegates’ races have not yet been called, but with Republicans poised to regain majority control of the state House of Delegates, Southwest Virginia lawmaker Terry Kilgore has announced he will run for speaker if his party holds its seven-seat lead. Del. Todd Gilbert, the current House minority […]
The color of money
A dusty floor, lumber piles and strewn tools mark the signs of active construction in the future showroom of Pure Shenandoah LLC. CEO Tanner Johnson stands in the front room of the historic, renovated Casey Jones building in Elkton and describes the experience of a future customer. “You’ll come in right here to a cool […]
Va. governor’s race coming down to the wire
One week out from Election Day, the Virginia governor‘s race remains very close, according to two polls released this week. Former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, the Democratic nominee, has small leads over Republican challenger Glenn Youngkin that are within the surveys’ margins of error. Released Wednesday morning, Christopher Newport University’s Wason Center for Civic Leadership’[...]
Va. health and human resources secretary departs for new Seattle post
Updated 5:45 p.m., Oct. 22 Dr. Daniel Carey has stepped down as the state’s secretary of health and human resources to become chief medical officer for one of the nation’s largest medical groups, based in Washington state. A deputy secretary, Dr. Vanessa Walker Harris, has been appointed to replace him as Virginia‘s health secretary, the […]
Va. on track to achieve universal broadband by 2024
The state government expects to achieve universal broadband access in Virginia by 2024, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday, with more than $2 billion in public and private-sector funding going toward the effort. Northam’s original pledge in 2018 was to provide broadband access to the whole state by 2028, but with federal COVID-19 relief funds received […]
State launches app to connect vendors with Va. agencies
Virginia has launched an app to help connect state government agencies and other users with local, woman- and minority-owned businesses more efficiently, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday. The Start Small app is available for free, and it allows users to conduct keyword searches to match with businesses that fit their needs, and can be narrowed […]
