Dominion, Appalachian Power team up to expand energy storage
Virginia electric utility giants Appalachian Power and Dominion Energy Inc. announced Tuesday a public-private partnership with InvestSWVA that aims to expand renewable energy storage technology and attract industry prospects in Southwest Virginia. “With the greater proliferation of renewables, energy storage expansion will be a vital component in providing stability to our grid and support our […][...]
Va. Beach PPE manufacturer will create 180 jobs with $5.3M expansion
Premium-PPE, a manufacturer of AmeriShield branded masks and personal protective equipment, will invest $5.3 million to expand its Virginia Beach operations, creating 180 jobs, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday. Premium-PPE is a subsidiary of Premium Estore LLC (doing business as PremiumEcigarettes), an e-cigarette product manufacturer that in March began operating as Premium-PPE to focus […][...]
The soybean dilemma
One thing’s for certain: The one-two punch of the U.S.-China tariffs battle followed by the coronavirus pandemic has hurt farmers in Virginia. But opinions are divided on the future of agriculture and forestry in the commonwealth, and which presidential candidate has better policies to protect jobs and profits here. On the[...]
Plasser American Corp. announces $52.6M Chesapeake expansion
Railway equipment manufacturer Plasser American Corp. will invest $52.6 million to expand its operations in the city of Chesapeake, creating 98 jobs, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday. Plasser American Corp., which manufactures railway construction and maintenance equipment, will add a 45,000-square-foot, three-story office building and an 82,000-square-foot manufacturing facility. The company will also renovate its […][...]
Danish company to establish $1.35M manufacturing facility in Henrico
Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday that Danish manufacturer Rose Holm will invest $1.35 million to establish its first U.S. facility in Henrico County, creating 10 jobs. Rose Holm produces threaded bolts for the food and beverage, wind power and heat exchange industries in Northern Europe. The new operation will allow the company to further its […]
Va. to expand networking program to new regions
During the next two years Virginia will invest $1.7 million to expand the Network2Work workforce development initiative, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday. The commonwealth will partner with the Virginia Community College System to pilot the Network2Work model in the Shenandoah Valley, Hampton Roads and greater Richmond regions. Network2Work was established by Piedmont Virginia Community College […][...]
Richmond extends deadline for small business, nonprofit relief program
The city of Richmond has extended the deadline for its Richmond Recovers Grant Program, giving small businesses and nonprofits until Oct. 19 to apply for grants ranging from $10,000 to $15,000, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney’s office announced Tuesday. The city allocated $3 million of its federal CARES Act funding to the program, which has $1.68 […]
Hampton Roads State of the Region report offers sobering look at COVID-19 impacts
Old Dominion University’s Dragas Center for Economic Analysis & Policy’s 2020 State of the Region report for Hampton Roads offers a sobering look at how the pandemic has harmed the regional economy and left tens of thousands of Hampton Roads residents jobless. Employment in Hampton Roads fell dramatically, hotel occupancy continues to be outpaced by […]
Mount-It! to invest $7.45M in Prince George operation
Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday that mounting solutions distributor Mount-It! will invest $7.45 million to establish its first East Coast warehouse and distribution facility in Prince George County, creating 85 jobs. Mount-It!, which provides more than 500 types of mounting products, will be located in the former Quality Way building in Prince George County. Virginia […]
Va. offshore wind industry could create 5.2K jobs, study finds
The offshore wind industry could create up to 5,200 jobs in Virginia (with a majority in Hampton Roads) and an estimated $740 million in total economic activity during the next several years, according to an economic impact analysis conducted by Henrico County-based Mangum Economics and released Tuesday by the Hampton Roads Alli[...]
On the fast track
Six Hampton Roads-based companies, including two newcomers, landed on the Virginia Chamber’s 2020 Fantastic 50 list of the state’s fastest-growing privately owned businesses. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the winners were recognized during a virtual event held in May. To qualify for the Fantastic 50, nominees’ fiscal revenues had to exceed $200,000 and be less […]
This burg has grown
Three-term incumbent Fredericksburg Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw recalls when her city moved at a slower pace, as did surrounding Spotsylvania and Stafford counties. All that has changed, profoundly. Fredericksburg’s population has jumped by more than 50% during the past 20 years, from 19,279 in 2000 to an estimated 29,036 in[...]