GO Virginia funds $9M in workforce development, economic recovery grants
The Growth and Opportunity for Virginia (GO Virginia) state economic development initiative has allocated grants totaling more than $9 million for workforce development and assisting communities with economic recovery, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday. A $7.8 million allocation will support 11 regional projects and two statewide projects aimed at workforce development initiatives. Another allocation […][...]
Six SWVA projects receive ARC funding
More than $3.9 million in funding will go toward recovery health programs, broadband infrastructure expansion, workforce development, natural gas line improvements and rural tourism and job growth efforts in Southwest Virginia, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Monday. The funding will be disbursed through six Appalachian Regional Commission’s (ARC) Partnership for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization […][...]
$1.2M grant approved for Dickenson County industrial site
A grant for up to $1.2 million in infrastructure improvements to the Red Onion Industrial Site in Dickenson County was recently approved by Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority board. The funds, which will be given to the Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority, will be used to help finance site grading, site development, access road construction […]
Volkswagen Group of America deepens its Fairfax roots
Automobile manufacturing giant Volkswagen Group of America Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG) announced Tuesday it has chosen to keep its headquarters in Fairfax County — signing a 20-year lease agreement in Reston Town Center. Volkswagen’s North American headquarters has been located in Fairfax County [...]
Kaine introduces legislation to establish HBCU business centers
U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) and Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi) announced Tuesday they have introduced the Reaching America’s Rural Minority Businesses Act, which would establish up to 10 minority business centers at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to serve rural and underserved communities. The legislation would authorize the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) in the […][...]
Hemp industry takes another step forward
The co-founders of South Boston-based Golden Piedmont Labs want to give the county a boost by processing hemp from local farmers. “We were looking for a way to give back,” says Rick Gregory, who started Golden Piedmont Labs with Sterling Edmunds Jr. Both are Halifax County natives with extensive backgrounds in real estate an[...]
Stars in their eyes
When 19th-century movers and shakers picked sleepy Roanoke as the site of the crossroads linking the Shenandoah Valley and Norfolk & Western railroads, the town grew with such force and speed that it earned the now-obscure nickname “Magic City.” Over the decades that followed, thousands of Roanokers toiled for the N&[...]
N.C. furniture manufacturer to create 150 jobs in Pittsylvania
North Carolina-based Ison Furniture Manufacturing Inc. will invest $3.5 million to acquire and renovate the recently closed A.C. Furniture Co. Inc. facility in Pittsylvania County, creating 150 jobs, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Monday. Ison furniture will also purchase new assembly and production equipment for its upholstered furniture products. Its supplier, Dogwood Global LLC, will occupy […][...]
Danville Community College announces Morgan Olson collaboration
Danville Community College (DCC) on Thursday announced a collaboration agreement with North America’s largest walk-in van manufacturer, Morgan Olson LLC, for training and talent development. Working with the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), DCC and Morgan Olson d[...]
Lara Fritts resigns from Greater Richmond Partnership
Lara Fritts has resigned as president and CEO of the Greater Richmond Partnership, according to an email sent to the public-private economic development organization’s investors this week. Her resignation is effective as of Nov. 30, and she will be serving actively in the role until that time, according to a spokesperson. [...]
Loudoun County allocates additional small business funding
The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors has allocated an additional $145,000 to fund 29 more businesses with $5,000 COVID-19 Business Interruption Fund grants, Loudoun Economic Development announced Wednesday. The additional allocation will allow the fund to cover all 660 certified eligible businesses that applied for the county’s fifth round of COVID-19 small business relief funding. […][...]
Silk City Printing to create 93 jobs in Fluvanna County
Silkscreened apparel company Silk City Printing LLC will invest $5.7 million to establish a new production operation in Fluvanna County, creating 93 new jobs, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday. Silk City will relocate its corporate headquarters from Paterson, New Jersey, to a former Thomasville facility in Fluvanna that has been vacant since 2007. Silk City […]