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Under the radar
Considering that four of the world’s five largest defense contractors are headquartered in Northern Virginia and that Hampton Roads is home to the world’s largest naval base, it isn’t surprising that Virginia was ranked the top state in the nation for defense spending in 2021. But what many observers may not kn[...]
Va. Beach uses SITW festival to woo business
It’s not every week that international fashion brand Louis Vuitton creates a pyramid on the sand at Virginia Beach’s Oceanfront. And that kind of buzz that music superstar Pharrell Williams is bringing to his hometown with his Something in the Water this weekend is something the city’s economic development [...]
Chesterfield’s new tech park already generating buzz
Chesterfield County Economic Director Garrett Hart received an inquiry about Upper Magnolia Green a week after the county announced in 2020 that it had purchased the property with the intent to develop a portion of it as a technology park. Intel Corp. hadn’t been able to find a site in Virginia for a $20 billion […]
Richmond baseball stadium agreement reached — with year delay
The city of Richmond has reached an agreement with developers RVA Diamond Partners on the $2.44 billion Diamond District development and a new baseball stadium expected to open in spring 2026 — a year later than Major League Baseball’s April 2025 deadline. Now it’s up to MLB to decide whether to grant the city an [[...]
Va. to establish trade office in Taiwan
Virginia will establish a trade office in Taipei, Taiwan’s capital, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Monday morning after meeting with that country’s president, Tsai Ing-wen. Youngkin’s meeting with Taiwan’s president came during the governor’s first international trade mission, during which he will al[...]
Va. launching semiconductor workforce initiative
The commonwealth is launching a Virginia Alliance for Semiconductor Technology to foster a semiconductor industry workforce, funding its establishment with a $3.3 million Growth and Opportunity for Virginia (GO Virginia) grant. Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced the initiative Friday. In March, GO Virginia announced the $3.3 million [...]
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[...]
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[...]
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[...]
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, particul[...]
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[...]
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. Visit[...]
