A slow climb back
After the pandemic hit in mid-March 2020, many industries hit pause on big decisions. But it didn’t take long for Virginia’s economic development departments to perk back up. In May 2020, Microsoft Corp. announced it would expand its presence in Reston Town Center by launching a software development and research hub,[...]
‘As resilient as you get’
After sealing the deal on Amazon.com Inc.’s $2.5 billion East Coast HQ2 headquarters as Arlington’s economic development director in late 2018, Victor Hoskins took his talents to the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) in August 2019. But instead of competing with his Northern Virginia neighbors w[...]
Richmond confirms six eligible bids for casino, seeks public input
Place your bets. Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney’s office confirmed Friday that the six casino proposals made public this week all submitted proposals that are eligible for consideration by Richmond City Council and voters. The city also revealed the proposed locations for all six plans. Bally’s Corp. and Golden Nugget Hotels & Casinos are interested in […]
UPDATED: Golden Nugget, Wind Creek enter proposals to build Richmond casino
Updated 3 p.m., Feb. 24 Joining at least four other groups competing to be chosen as Richmond’s choice for a casino operator, bids from two other casino companies were made public Wednesday. Houston-based Golden Nugget Hotels & Casinos has proposed a $400 million casino project about six miles from downtown, and Wind C[...]
Textiles startup opening Buchanan County sewing factory
Local textiles manufacturing startup Maine Five is opening a sewing factory at Buchanan County’s Council Industrial Park building. Investing $350,000 in the 17,211-square-foot factory space, the company is immediately hiring 12 workers and has plans to employ to 100 total workers by 2026. Founded in 2020, Maine Five manufa[...]
UPDATED: Richmond now has six major casino proposals
Updated Feb. 26 The city of Richmond is now considering six casino proposals, the mayor’s office announced Friday. Monday afternoon was the city’s deadline for its request for proposals, and all six submitted were deemed eligible. Starting next month, Richmond will hold public meetings with opportunities for citizen [...]
Greater Richmond Partnership taps new CEO
Greater Richmond Partnership’s board announced Monday that Jennifer Wakefield, the regional economic development organization’s interim leader, has been chosen as its permanent president and CEO, effective immediately. Wakefield, who previously was chief operating officer and served twice as the partnership’s i[...]
Northam announces $3.6M expansion of Eaton in Henrico
Power management manufacturer and supplier Eaton Corp. plc will invest $3.6 million to move production from California to its facility in Henrico County, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Friday. The move will create 80 jobs through the expansion of the Henrico facility’s production capabilities and the addition of new lines for electrical component manufacturing. Eaton, an […]
Fairfax County’s Richmond Highway area ripe for development during next decade
Between the development of Amazon.com Inc.’s $2.5 billion East Coast HQ2 headquarters in Arlington and Virginia Tech’s $1 billion Innovation Campus in Alexandria, Northern Virginia is ripe for commercial and residential development during the next decade. According to a market assessment study presented to Fairfax County’s Economic Advisory Commission, the Richmond Highway corridor (a 10-mile […][...]
Manufacturer announces $10.7M expansion in Montgomery County
Motion control product manufacturer Moog Inc. will invest $10.7 million to transfer existing jobs and equipment from its Blacksburg facilities to a larger building in Montgomery County, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday. The investment will also create 75 jobs. Founded more than 65 years ago, East Aurora, New York-based Moog Inc. designs, manufactures and integrates […]
Seven Va. exporters graduate from VALET program
Gov. Ralph Northam announced on Friday the list of the latest seven companies to graduate from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s (VEDP) Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program. More than 300 companies have now graduated from the a two-year international business acceleration program that assists participating Virginia exporters with international sales plan development services, […][...]
Startup PPE manufacturer settles in Harrisonburg
Startup manufacturing company Valley Guard Supply LLC will invest $1 million to establish a personal protective equipment manufacturing facility in Harrisonburg, creating 45 jobs, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday. The service-disabled, veteran-owned company produces three-ply disposable masks and plans to produce other safety and security gear, according to Northam’s statement. “Domestic manufacturers of personal protectiv[...]