Filling the steel gap
Metallurgical coal may be an unknown to the general population, but it’s very important to the manufacturing of steel and also valuable in the current economy. In August 2022, Australia-based Coronado Global Resources Inc., which produces metallurgical coal, announced a $169.1 million expansion of its Buchanan Mine Complex in [...]
It’s official — Ford plant going to Michigan
Ford Motor Co. announced Monday that it will build an electric vehicle battery plant in Michigan, a $3.5 billion project that Virginia was considered for until Gov. Glenn Youngkin pulled the state out of it late last year. Youngkin’s concern, he said in January, was over the involvement of China-based Contemporary Amperex [...]
Incubator hopes to grow Virginia winemaking
Tim and Ben Jordan are first-generation grape growers on a Shenandoah Valley farm that has been in their family since the 1700s. Although the brothers “leapt off the ground quite blindly” to pursue their passion, Tim Jordan says — first planting grapes in 2007 — their dream of building a winery on the farm proved [&hel[...]
Lynchburg area needs more industrial sites
Megan Lucas knows all too well that no product means no project in economic development, especially when it comes to pad-ready sites and move-in-ready buildings. The lack of pad-ready sites and industrial spec buildings in the Lynchburg region is the major reason the area has missed 65 economic development opportunities that cou[...]
Framatome CEO retiring; CFO to be promoted
Framatome Inc. President and CEO Gary Mignogna will retire July 1, and Chief Financial Officer Katherine Williams will succeed him, the Lynchburg-based nuclear reactor and fuel company announced Tuesday. Mignogna will become chairman of Framatome Inc.’s board upon his retirement. Williams, who will continue to serve as CFO[...]
Democrats call out Youngkin on Ford plant decision
Democratic state delegates excoriated Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Tuesday for taking Virginia out of the running for a $3.5 billion Ford Motor Co. battery manufacturing plant that would have created at least 2,500 jobs in Southern Virginia. The governor said last week that although Virginia was a finalist for the economic de[...]
Cadence acquires Conn. device components manufacturer
Staunton-based medical and drug delivery devices manufacturer Cadence Inc. has acquired Connecticut-based miniature medical device components manufacturer Utitec Inc., Cadence announced Tuesday. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Utitec specializes in miniature, deep drawn medical device and commercial components. The company has a medical facility in Costa Rica. “Acquiring Utitec better positions Cadence [&helli[...]
Virginia MetalFab to invest $9M, expand in Appomattox
Virginia MetalFab, a provider of metal manufacturing and fabrication services, will invest $9 million to expand to a larger facility in Appomattox, with plans to create 130 jobs during the next three years, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Friday. The company will lease the former Thomasville Furniture plant, occupying 250,000 square feet to meet increased demand […]
FyberX to invest $17.5M in Mecklenburg HQ
FyberX Holdings, a regenerative agriculture company, will invest $17.5 million to establish its U.S. headquarters and production operations in Mecklenburg County, creating 45 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Wednesday. The company will be located in the formerly vacant Kinderton Distribution Center in Clarksville, where it will process hemp and other agricultural products and produce fibers […][...]
Altria strikes $150M deal with Japan Tobacco
Altria Group Inc., the Henrico County-based tobacco giant, announced Thursday it is partnering with Japan Tobacco Group to sell heated tobacco products in the U.S. and worldwide, placing Altria in direct competition with Juul Labs Inc. and Philip Morris International Inc. The $150 million deal, in which Altria subsidiary Philip [...]
U.S. Navy to open training center in Danville
The Navy on Wednesday launched an additive manufacturing “center of excellence” to train students in defense manufacturing at Danville’s Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, as well as announcing a larger training facility to be built nearby. The center of excellence is part of the 16-week Accelerated [...]
Evermade Foods to expand Fauquier County operations
Warrenton-based Evermade Foods is investing $110,000 to expand its manufacturing operations and add 46 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Monday. Evermade Foods is a co-manufacturer of prepared meals sold under private labels at grocery stores and through meal subscription services. The company has invested $1.7 million in buil[...]