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Economic Development

Norfolk city government acquired the unsuccessful Military Circle mall in 2020 and is seeking bids to redevelop it into a walkable, live-work-play community. Photo by Mark Rhodes
Apr 21, 2023

Demo begins on Military Circle Mall with site’s future uncertain

Norfolk started the first phase of demolition of Military Circle Mall Friday, but the future of the property remains unclear. Demolition will continue through late June, according to the city. The first phase will start with separate buildings on the property, including China Garden, Martin’s Café, and The Military Circle[...]

Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors Chair Kevin Carroll, Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Lego Group Chief Operating Officer Carsten Rasmussen and U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Marisa Lago shovel dirt at the Lego Chesterfield facility's ceremonial groundbreaking Photo by Rick DeBerry.
Apr 13, 2023

Lego breaks ground on $1B Chesterfield facility

The Lego Group broke ground Thursday on its $1 billion Chesterfield County manufacturing facility — launching the Danish toymaker’s first U.S. manufacturing plant and one of Virginia’s biggest economic development projects. The Billund, Denmark-based toy company known for its brightly colored plastic toy bricks and[...]

Apr 12, 2023

Hampton Roads organizations merge to form new roundtable

Two Hampton Roads regional economic development organizations are merging to establish the Hampton Roads Executive Roundtable, with the goal of unifying their efforts. The new organization will combine Hampton Roads Business Roundtable, established in 2012, and Reinvent Hampton Roads, established in 2016, with the primary missio[...]

Tom Barkin speaks at the 2023 Investing in Rural America conference in Roanoke. Photo courtesy Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.
Apr 12, 2023

Innovation, capital key to rural growth, Barkin and Warner say

There’s hope for economic growth in rural areas despite their challenges, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President and CEO Tom Barkin and U.S. Sen. Mark Warner said Wednesday during the Fed’s 2023 Investing in Rural America conference in Roanoke. Rural areas could overcome economic development challenges, particularly[...]

Apr 11, 2023

German manufacturer to add 100+ jobs in Chesterfield

Germany-based Weidmüller Group will invest $16.4 million to expand its operations in Chesterfield County, creating more than 100 full-time jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Tuesday. Weidmüller Group provides smart industrial connectivity products and solutions that connect and automate electrical power and signaling for comp[...]

Area tourism needs to be expanded beyond just Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens, which is leading to development of a regional sports complex, says Williamsburg Mayor Doug Pons. Photo by Mark Rhodes
Mar 30, 2023

Shoring up

Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown are all significant parts of the nation’s foundation, and historic tourism drove the region’s economy during the 20th century. But Colonial Williamsburg hasn’t been enough to keep big crowds coming to the area consistently in the 21st century, even before the pandemic. Visitation droppe[...]

Mar 24, 2023

Youngkin announces $8.1M in GO Virginia grants

A variety of projects around the state intended to spur economic and workforce development will get a boost from $8.1 million in state GO Virginia grants, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Friday. The 17 projects are expected to add hundreds of jobs. Nearly $4.8 million will fund two Virginia Tech projects, including one  expected to build […]

Chesterfield County unveiled the new Springfield at District 60 design as county officials took turns using an excavator to demolish the Spring Rock Green sign. Photo by Katherine Schulte/Virginia Business
Mar 21, 2023

Chesterfield County kicks off $210M mixed-use project

Chesterfield County officials began demolition Tuesday of the former Best Products Co. Inc. building in the Spring Rock Green shopping center to clear the way for the $210 million first phase of the Springline at District 60 mixed-use development. The 42-acre first phase of the project, located on Midlothian Turnpike off Chippen[...]

Mar 15, 2023

German electronics manufacturer to add 100 Va. jobs

Germany-based Zollner Elektronik AG will invest $18 million to expand in Virginia, including boosts to its electronics manufacturing operations in Danville as well at the company’s U.S. headquarters in Leesburg, adding 100 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Wednesday. The expansions include $14 million to expand manufacturing operations in the Danville-Pittsylvania County Regional Industrial Facility Authority-owned […][...]

Diana Schwartz. Photo courtesy River District Association
Mar 13, 2023

River District Association gives leader a title upgrade

Diana L. Schwartz’s title is changing from executive director to CEO of the River District Association, the Danville downtown revitalization association announced Monday. The title more accurately reflects her role, according to an RDA news release. It has shifted from creating and managing programs for the downtown busine[...]

Mar 10, 2023

Ship repair contractor expanding Norfolk presence

Advanced Integrated Technologies (AIT), a ship repair contractor for the Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command and U.S. marine, industrial and commercial industries, will invest $500,000 to expand its Norfolk operations and add 76 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Friday. The Norfolk-based company will increase capacity at its location in Norfolk Industrial Park, off Ingleside […]

Mar 9, 2023

Apparel wholesaler plans $50M Hanover facility, 1K jobs

SanMar Corp., the United States’ largest supplier of wholesale printable accessories and apparel, will invest at least $50 million to establish distribution operations in Hanover County and create an expected 1,000 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Thursday. SanMar’s operations, planned to occupy a 1.1 million-squa[...]

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