Executive insights
Virginia Business asked six Hampton Roads leaders to discuss how their organizations are contributing to the region’s success and meeting challenges such as sustainability, regional cooperation and workforce training. LAURA HAYES CHALK Executive director, Virginia Beach Vision, Virginia Beach Virginia Beach Vision is partly focused on resiliency and sustainability — what do you hope to […][...]
Manufacturer plans $5M expansion in Scott County
VFP, a manufacturer of enclosures used to protect critical infrastructure, will invest $5 million to expand its Scott County facility, a move expected to create 50 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Monday. The expansion will allow VFP to respond to a growing data center market. “Virginia’s robust data center indust[...]
Kongsberg to build $101M missile plant in James City County
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, a subsidiary of Norway’s Kongsberg Group, plans to establish its first U.S. defense assembly plant in James City County, investing more than $100 million and creating an estimated 180 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Tuesday. The company expects to invest $71 million in a 150,000-s[...]
Va. Chamber president and CEO to retire
Virginia Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Barry DuVal plans to retire in early 2025, the chamber announced Thursday. DuVal became head of the chamber in April 2010. During his 14-year tenure, the business advocacy organization has grown from around 1,000 members to more than 32,000. “During his tenure with the Virginia Ch[...]
Henrico EDA program will help international businesses get foothold
The Henrico Economic Development Authority is launching a global business gateway program for internationally headquartered companies seeking to establish a presence in the United States. The Henrico Global Business Gateway, which the EDA announced Tuesday, will provide international businesses with office space for up to three [...]
Pump, valve manufacturer to expand in Henrico
KSB USA/North America, a Henrico County-based pump and industrial valve supplier, will invest $25 million to more than double the square footage of its facility there, a project expected to create 32 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Thursday. As part of the expansion, KSB will add another loading dock office space and update its shipping […]
South Asian yogurt manufacturer to open Frederick County facility
Desi Fresh Foods, a producer of Indian-style spoonable and drinkable yogurt products, is opening a new manufacturing facility in Frederick County, creating 56 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Friday. The New York-based company will “invest a significant amount of money to open a new manufacturing facility,” according to a news release. Desi Fresh Foods and […]
Hand-built electric classic sports cars to be built in Danville
RBW Sports & Classics, a United Kingdom manufacturer of hand-built electric vehicles that have designs inspired by British sports cars from the 1960s and 1970s, plans to invest $8 million to establish a manufacturing facility at Cane Creek Centre in Danville, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Thursday. The project is expected [...]
SWVA projects recommended for $10M in federal grants
Four Southwest Virginia economic development projects have been recommended to receive a cumulative $10 million in federal Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) grants, Gov. Glenn Youngkin and U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, announced Monday. The projects are on sites where coal was mined prior to 1977, the yea[...]
Va. localities win $126M in grants for industrial sites
Gov. Glenn Youngkin this week announced $126 million in Virginia Business Ready Sites Program development grants to fund work on 23 industrial sites in the commonwealth. Virginia’s growing inventory of project-ready sites was a factor in CNBC naming the commonwealth America’s Top State for Business in July, Gov. Youn[...]
Henrico EDA buys $3M golf course, plans $11M renovation
Henrico County’s economic development authority has purchased The Crossings Golf Club for $3 million, and with partners Pros Inc. and the Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority, it plans to pitch the course as the new home for a PGA Tour Champions golf event held at the Country Club of Virginia. Pros Inc. expects to [...]
Big deals
These economic development announcements were some of the largest in Virginia for 2023 and the first half of 2024: CENTRAL VIRGINIA Chesterfield County: In April, the offices of U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner and U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan announced that Danish electrolyzer manufacturer Topsoe plans to build a $400 milli[...]