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Hampton Roads Shipping Association taps new president
The Hampton Roads Shipping Association has named Jeremy Bridges its new president, effective May 1. Bridges will succeed Roger Giesinger, who has led the nonprofit, Norfolk-based trade association for the past 28 years. Giesinger, who announced his retirement last year, will stay on as president emeritus for a brief transition period. Bridges comes to HRSA […]
Youngkin to meet with Taiwan’s president
Amid rising tensions with China, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin will meet with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on his first international trade mission this month. Youngkin will travel to Taipei City, Taiwan; Tokyo; and Seoul, South Korea, from April 24 to April 29, according to a Tuesday news release. “I’m excited to represent the commonwealth in […]
Feds say Chinese cranes used at Port of Va. could be spy tools
The Port of Virginia may have as many as 30 Chinese ship-to-shore cranes that have come under scrutiny from Pentagon officials over national security concerns, and the port has five more on delivery for next year. The cranes made by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co., known as ZPMC, a state-owned company whose major shareholder is […]
Vested interest
Eleven months into his first term in elected office, Gov. Glenn Youngkin can boast of several economic development successes and a few legislative wins, but one thing a lot of observers are discussing is his national profile and what it could mean in 2024. Youngkin — and his careful campaign to win over not only […]
Coffee roaster to invest $29M to expand Suffolk facility
Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA, the North American operating unit of the Italian coffee roaster Zanetti Beverage Group, will invest $29.1 million to consolidate and expand operations at its Suffolk roasting facility, a project expected to create 79 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Monday. “Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA’s continued expansion in Virginia speaks volumes about the […]
Rainmaker-in-chief
On Aug. 29, 2005, Jason El Koubi’s first day as research and policy director for Louisiana’s Baton Rouge regional chamber of commerce, Hurricane Katrina slammed into the state, resetting El Koubi’s and the state’s trajectory. It was a fast lesson in crisis management, but also one in economic transformation. That job was among his first […]
Port of Va. had $100B+ economic impact in FY21
Amid some of the toughest months of the pandemic, the Port of Virginia set cargo records, processing more than 3.2 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, and generating more than $100.1 billion in ancillary economic impact, according to the port’s fiscal 2021 economic impact report released Thursday. According […]
Q&A: Quebec official discusses Va. trade mission
Quebec’s delegate general in New York, Martine Hébert, visited Virginia this week on a trip to strengthen economic relations between her province and the commonwealth. Appointed in August by Quebec Premier François Legault and based out of New York, Hébert is responsible for promoting the province’s economic interests in the mid-Atlantic region. She previously served […]
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 […]
VEDP launches Supply Chain Optimization Program
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership launched its Supply Chain Optimization Program, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday. The one-year program is designed to help Virginia businesses streamline their supply chain management. Participating businesses could receive a maximum of $10,000 in reimbursements for supply chain-related expenses, including consulting services, connections with ex[...]
Manifest destiny
Taking on a new job during a pandemic could spell rough waters, particularly if the job relies on global commerce. But the past eight months largely have been smooth sailing for Stephen Edwards, the new CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority, which oversees the Port of Virginia. Edwards came onboard in January, […]
Eight Va. companies graduate from VEDP export program
Eight companies became the latest to graduate from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Friday. The VALET program helps Virginia companies use international exporting as a growth strategy. During the two-year program, businesses learn international sales plan development services through trainings from inte[...]
