Democrats call out Youngkin on Ford plant decision
Democratic state delegates excoriated Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Tuesday for taking Virginia out of the running for a $3.5 billion Ford Motor Co. battery manufacturing plant that would have created at least 2,500 jobs in Southern Virginia. The governor said last week that although Virginia was a finalist for the economic de[...]
The main event
Updated Jan. 4, 2023 Like the quote from a possibly apocryphal Harvard Law professor, Virginia legislators can look to their left and then to their right, and one of their peers probably won’t be seated there next year, thanks to a supercharged primary field created by a late 2021 redistricting. And now, 61 of Virginia’s […]
State industrial fund awards $24.7M to projects
The governor announced more than $24.7 million in Industrial Revitalization Fund grants going to construction projects across Virginia on Tuesday, including Danville’s White Mill, South Boston’s John Randolph Hotel and other historic properties. “The transformation of older, vacant or blighted structures into produ[...]
Youngkin budget outlines EVMS/ODU merger by 2024
In his proposed budget amendments released Thursday, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin lays out the framework and a timeline for the merger of Eastern Virginia Medical School and Old Dominion University, requiring it to take place by July 2024. Youngkin’s amendments to the 2022-24 state budget, which must be passed by the Gene[...]
Va. to receive $6.22M to expand broadband
Virginia is receiving $6.22 million in “Internet for All” federal grants funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced Thursday. “As we continue to compete in the 21st century, it is crucial that we close the digital divide in Virginia,” U.S. Sen. Mark Warner said […]
Va. Beach City Council approves $2M sponsorship of Something in the Water
Virginia Beach native Pharrell Williams’ Something in the Water three-day music festival will get a $2 million sponsorship from Virginia Beach as part of an incentive package approved by the City Council Tuesday night. Something in the Water debuted in April 2019 at the Oceanfront and was called off in 2020 and 2021 due to[...]
Va. receives $230M for startup, venture capital funding
Virginia has been approved for as much as $230.4 million in federal funds to accelerate startups, the U.S. Department of Treasury announced Tuesday. The money comes from the Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). Virginia will operate five programs, including two loan participation, one loan guarantee and two equity/venture capital programs. Loan programs include […][...]
2022 Political Roundtable: Red wave? Maybe a puddle
On balance, Democrats came out winners in the 2022 midterm elections, having staved off a widely forecast “red wave” of Republican victories, according to panelists at Virginia Business’ annual Political Roundtable, held Nov. 9 in Richmond. The idea of a red wave or “red tsunami” was “perhaps … a bit of a myth … [...]
SCC judge’s resignation will leave 2 of 3 seats empty
Virginia State Corporation Commission Judge Judith Williams Jagdmann has informed state legislators she plans to resign from the three-seat commission after 16 years on the bench. Her departure will leave two seats empty as of Dec. 31. In a letter sent to the leadership of the Virginia State Senate and the House of Delegates on [...]
Lottery Board approves license for Portsmouth casino
The Virginia Lottery Board unanimously approved the casino facility operator’s license for the Rivers Casino Portsmouth Wednesday. It was the second casino operator’s license issued in the state; the first was awarded in April to Bristol’s Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, which opened a temporary casino in July. Two[...]
Carnival to double trips from Norfolk, proposes year-round cruising
Carnival Cruise Line announced Monday it will more than double the number of cruises it offers from Norfolk in 2023 and is working toward year-round cruising from Norfolk in 2025. Stephen Kirkland, executive director of Nauticus, shared the news from Norfolk’s cruise terminal that overlooks the harbor where ships dock, adj[...]
2022 Political Roundtable: Red wave? Maybe a puddle
On balance, Democrats came out winners in the 2022 midterm elections, having staved off a widely forecast “red wave” of Republican victories, according to panelists at Virginia Business’ annual Political Roundtable, held Wednesday, Nov. 9, in Richmond. The idea of a red wave or “red tsunami” was “perhaps … a bit of[...]