SWVA projects recommended for $10M in federal grants
Four Southwest Virginia economic development projects have been recommended to receive a cumulative $10 million in federal Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) grants, Gov. Glenn Youngkin and U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, announced Monday. The projects are on sites where coal was mined prior to 1977, the yea[...]
Va. job creation up in July, but filling jobs remains challenge
Total payroll employment in Virginia grew by 4,800 jobs in July, the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond reported in its regional economic snapshot Friday, but some employers are having difficulty filling jobs. A U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey released Tuesday said that the number of hires in Virginia in June dropped by 33,[...]
Va. casino gaming revenues total $59.3M in July
Casino gaming revenues for Virginia’s three casinos totaled $59.3 million in July, according to Virginia Lottery data released Thursday. Also, the $500 million HeadWaters Resort & Casino in Norfolk, which has been in a holding pattern for the past several months, could be moving forward. The Norfolk Architectural Review Bo[...]
Va. Lottery reports record $5.5B in FY24 sales
Virginia Lottery reported a record-breaking $5.5 billion in sales for fiscal 2024 and highest ever profits of $934 million, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Wednesday. In fiscal 2023, the state lottery reported $4.6 billion in revenue and $867 million in profits, which set the previous records for the state agency, which opened 3[...]
Va. lands back on top in CNBC survey
After downplaying his Democratic predecessor’s consecutive wins in CNBC’s America’s Top States for Business study, Gov. Glenn Youngkin found himself as Virginia’s top cheerleader on CNBC July 11, playing the commonwealth regained its crown as No. 1. With this year’s win, the state has been named the nation’s top stat[...]
Virginia saw 15,000 jobs created in June
Virginia reported 15,000 jobs created in June, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Friday. Overall, the commonwealth has seen 258,000 jobs created since January 2022, according to the news release from the governor’s office. “The jobs report is yet another good sign about the resiliency of the Virginia economy,” Bob McNab, an ec[...]
SCC names next chief administrative officer
Joseph F. Damico has been named the Virginia State Corporation Commission’s next chief administrative officer, replacing Samuel A. Nixon Jr., who is retiring this month. A longtime public servant, Damico was most recently deputy director of the Richmond Department of Public Works and was director of the state Department of[...]
Navy Region Mid-Atlantic changes command
After serving as commander of the Navy Region Mid-Atlantic for a little over a year, Navy Rear Adm. Wesley “Wes” McCall finished his duties Wednesday and has been succeeded by Rear Adm. Carl A. Lahti. As of Wednesday, Lahti now oversees 13 installations from Illinois to North Carolina and is stationed at the world[...]
Youngkin peppers university boards with GOP power players
With Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s appointees slated to hold majorities on the state’s university boards beginning July 1, the governor announced dozens of last-minute university board appointments Friday afternoon, shortly before the members’ four-year terms take effect Monday. Although many of the new appointees are[...]
Not with a bang, but a whimper
This story has been updated since publication. Despite lofty promises from Democrats and Republicans, divided government in Richmond meant few wins or losses for either party during the 2024 General Assembly session — and few sweeping changes for Virginia in the year ahead. “The only thing that the legislature really did is [...]
Barkin: Still a waiting game for interest rates’ effect on inflation
The U.S. economy has yet to feel the effects of current interest rates, but it eventually will, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President and CEO Tom Barkin predicted Thursday during an event held by the Risk Management Association’s Richmond chapter in the city’s East End. “I’m optimistic that we’ve gotten rates [...]
Va. casinos report $62.7M in May gaming revenues
May gaming revenues for Virginia’s three casinos totaled $62.7 million, according to Virginia Lottery data released June 14. Last month, the Bristol Casino: Future Home of Hard Rock temporary casino reported about $15.46 million in adjusted gaming revenues (wagers minus winnings), of which about $12.4 million came from its 891[...]