A sense of possibility
Luiz DaSilva became the inaugural executive director of Virginia’s Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI) in March, returning to Virginia Tech after two years in Ireland, where he served as the director of CONNECT, a telecommunications research center at Trinity College Dublin involving 35 companies and 250 researchers from 10 Ir[...]
Economic Development
TAYLOR ADAMS DIRECTOR, VIRGINIA BEACH DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VIRGINIA BEACH Under Adams’ leadership, Virginia Beach has seen several company expansions and relocations over the last year, even in the current economic crisis. In June and July alone, nine companies announced they would either locate facilities or expand in the city. Ranging from manufacturing and […]
Torc Robotics expanding, creating 350 jobs in Montgomery County
Torc Robotics plans to invest $8.5 million and create 350 jobs in Montgomery County, not far from its current operation in the Blacksburg Industrial Park, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday. The company produces self-driving vehicles and was started in 2005 by a group of Virginia Tech students who were on a robotics team together. In […]
Lidl US plans to add 50 stores nationwide
Lidl US, the Arlington-based grocery store chain, plans to open 50 stores by the end of next year on the East Coast, the company announced Tuesday. The expansion will bring its total number of stores in the United States to 150. Seven new stores will be in Virginia: Alexandria, Burke, Chantilly, Charlottesville, Falls Church, Manassas […]
Roanoke Regional Partnership executive director to retire
Beth Doughty, executive director of the Roanoke Regional Partnership, announced Monday she will retire after 22 years with the public-private economic development organization. She plans to leave in December. Roanoke Regional Partnership covers the counties of Alleghany, Botetourt, Franklin and Roanoke, the town of Vinton and th[...]
Former Volvo Trucks exec launches commercial vehicle company
The former chief operating officer for Volvo Trucks North and South America, Patrick Collignon, announced Wednesday that he has launched Trova Commercial Vehicles (TrovaCV), located in Pulaski County’s Fairlawn area. The company will focus on the engineering, design and production of fully electric commercial vehicles, wit[...]
T-Mobile invests $30M to relocate customer center to Henrico
T-Mobile US Inc. will invest $30 million to relocate one of its customer experience centers to the former Sam’s Club on Laburnum Avenue in Henrico County, creating up to 500 jobs, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Friday. “T-Mobile has been a valued employer and partner to the commonwealth for many years and we are proud that […]
UPDATE: House and Senate Democrats, governor roll out special session priorities
Updated, Aug. 14 House of Delegates Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn rolled out the House Democratic Caucus’ legislative priorities for the Aug. 18 special session, a slate of coronavirus-related measures and law enforcement reforms. Filler-Corn, D-Fairfax, announced in a news release Thursday that the following COVID-19 legisla[...]
10 Va. companies graduate from VEDP’s export trade program
Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday that 10 Virginia companies have graduated from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s (VEDP) Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program, which now has more than 300 graduated companies. The VALET program helps Virginia companies to establish domestic operations for exports and encourages using international exporting as a growth strategy. During […][...]
Wythe County lumber company announces $2.4M expansion
Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday that Wythe County-based Musser Lumber Co. Inc. will invest $2.4 million to expand its operations and increase 12 jobs — which, during the next three years, will lead to more than $8.5 million in forest product purchases. “Musser Lumber’s continued growth and success in Wythe County is a testament to […]
$17M greenhouse coming to Goochland County
Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday that Greenswell Growers Inc. will invest more than $17 million to build a commercial hydroponic greenhouse in Goochland County, creating 27 jobs. “Greenswell Growers’ decision to establish a new greenhouse operation in Goochland County is a great win for the region and the commonwealth,” Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian […]
State awards $278K to COVID-19 economic recovery projects
Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday that the state has awarded $278,000 among 18 economic revitalization projects in Virginia as part of the state’s COVID-19 economic recovery plan. “Downtown districts are the lifeblood of our communities and our local economies and they need our support now more than ever,” Northam said in a statement. “Main Street […]