Projects vie for federal abandoned mine grant funds
Every year, Virginia receives $10 million from the federal government for projects to redevelop land that was home to abandoned coal mines. This fall, 18 different projects applied for funding — all seeking to become models for coalfield communities recovering from the industry’s slow collapse. The applications received by V[...]
States join forces to battle Beltway bridge bottleneck
When the governors of Virginia and Maryland announced plans in November to replace the aging American Legion Bridge, it may have sounded like a chorus of angels to woebegone commuters who make their way across the Potomac River each weekday. “A new bridge means commuters will get to work and back home faster,” said Gov. [&he[...]
Growth spurt
As the economy has been on the rise, so have hotels in many parts of Virginia. During the past 12 months, Virginia’s hotel industry has seen more than a billion dollars invested in hotel construction and renovation — everywhere from Richmond to Bristol. “The bulk of that is new construction,” says Eric Terry, president o[...]
Finding its vibe
Lynchburg is cool, and people are starting to notice. The Hill City still has its big, well-established players, such as Liberty University and BWX Technologies. Liberty, with its 7,000-acre campus and its online programs, has more than 2,500 faculty teaching more than 111,000 students. Its operations are estimated to generate m[...]
Follow up: Casino gaming could create 7,600+ jobs
Five proposed casinos, sports wagering and online casino gaming would directly create about 7,600 jobs, according to projections released in late November by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission. However, the five casinos combined would generate $367 million in net annual state tax revenue — less than the Virgin[...]
Virginia renews 15 Enterprise Zones
Fifteen Virginia Enterprise Zones (VEZ) were renewed for another five years, continuing to make expanded economic development grants available for qualified employers and investors in the zones, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Monday. The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) administers the program for the 15 zones that were initially designated in 2000, 2005 […]
Virginia’s unemployment rate stays at 2.6% in November
Virginia’s unemployment rate remained at 2.6% in November, keeping it almost one percentage point lower than the national rate, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Friday. The November unemployment rate was 0.2% lower than the rate from one year ago. In addition, the labor force expanded for the 17th month in a row by 13,326, or 0.3%, […]
Fairfax County EDA CEO honored for collaborative leadership
Victor Hoskins, president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, received the Ronald Kirby Award for Collaborative Leadership this week from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, the FCEDA announced Friday. The award recognizes non-elected government executives who work collaboratively with e[...]
Appalachian Power awards $57,500 in economic development grants
Appalachian Power awarded a total of $57,500 to nine Virginia organizations through the energy company’s Economic Development Growth Enhancement (EDGE) program, the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance (SVRA) announced Friday. SVRA was awarded $16,500 for marketing materials and videos of the southern region and regional mega-sites. “We are thankful for the support that Appalachian Power provides […][...]
Danville’s Telly Tucker will lead Arlington Economic Development
Telly Tucker, director of economic development in Danville, is leaving next month to lead Arlington County’s economic development department, the city of Danville announced Thursday. “It was a tremendous opportunity,” Tucker said Thursday in a phone interview. “My heart will always be in Danville for the opportunity they[...]
Suffolk EDA awards $15K grant to local cafe
The Suffolk Economic Development Authority has awarded a $15,000 state grant to Wall Street Cafe, which plans to open a new venture in the city. The two-story Wall Street Cafe building on Suffolk’s Washington Street will house a coffee shop on the first floor and a real estate and finance professional office on the second […]
Go Virginia awards $5.8 in regional grants
Nine regional projects will receive a combined $5.8 million in Growth and Opportunity for Virginia (GO Virginia) funding, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday. The grants, which were approved by the Go Virginia Board and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, will support regional economic development and workforce development initiatives and encourage collaboration among local […][...]