Textiles startup opening Buchanan County sewing factory
Local textiles manufacturing startup Maine Five is opening a sewing factory at Buchanan County’s Council Industrial Park building. Investing $350,000 in the 17,211-square-foot factory space, the company is immediately hiring 12 workers and has plans to employ to 100 total workers by 2026. Founded in 2020, Maine Five manufa[...]
COVID roundup: 300K vaccine doses arrive in Va.
Virginia received an influx of more than 300,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses this week, in part due to the weather-delayed delivery of 106,000 Moderna doses that were expected last week. The state also is receiving a bump in doses directed to local health departments and districts, as well as twice as many doses arriving in retail [&[...]
Lawmakers kill bill calling for transparency in redistricting commission
RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia Senate killed a House proposal to expand access to the commonwealth’s new redistricting commission and help make the process more transparent and democratic. House Bill 2082, patroned by Del. Mark Levine, D-Alexandria, would have required the redistricting commission meetings to be advertised[...]
Lawmakers advance bills to compensate first responders hit by COVID-19
RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia lawmakers have passed bills that allow certain first responders to file workers’ compensation benefits for being disabled from COVID-19, but still need to reach agreement on some differences. The measures would make COVID-19 an occupational disease for firefighters, emergency medical services per[...]
Virginia lawmakers advance Consumer Data Protection Act
RICHMOND, Va. — The General Assembly is advancing legislation that allows Virginia consumers more protection with their online data, though opponents say the measure does not include the ability for people to file private lawsuits against companies that breach the proposed law. The measure is known as the Consumer Data Pro[...]
PenFed expands partnership with The Washington Justice
Tysons-based PenFed Credit Union announced Tuesday it is expanding its partnership with The Washington Justice, the professional esports Overwatch League for the Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C., area, into a three-year sponsorship. PenFed, which is one of the nation’s largest federal credit unions, will be featured as [...]
Virginia House advances paid leave bill for essential workers
RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia House of Delegates passed a bill on Thursday which would provide paid leave to essential workers. House Bill 2137, introduced by Del. Elizabeth Guzman, D-Woodbridge, would require essential businesses to offer paid leave to their workers, according to the bill. Employees must be offered a minim[...]
Why the Richmond Fed has zero Black Ph.D. economists
The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond is one of only five Fed banks that employs zero Black Ph.D. economists, according to a New York Times report this week. Of the 12 Federal Reserve banks, seven employ only one or two Black Ph.D. economists, which Fed officials blame on lack of Black talent in the economics […]
Va. House kills bill requiring hazard pay for essential employees
RICHMOND, Va. — Lawmakers unanimously shot down legislation this week that would have required employers to provide hazard pay to essential employees and provide protective equipment in the event of a stay-at-home order. Del. Hala S. Ayala, D-Woodbridge, said she introduced House Bill 2015 to help protect and further compe[...]
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to step down as CEO in Q3
Amazon.com Inc. announced Tuesday that Jeff Bezos, who founded the e-commerce company in 1994, will step down as CEO and transition to the role of executive chair in the third quarter of 2021. Amazon Web Services CEO Andy Jassy will succeed Bezos. “Amazon is what it is because of invention,” Bezos said in a statement. [&hell[...]
The Hilb Group makes third acquisition announcement of 2021
Henrico County-based insurance company The Hilb Group LLC made its third acquisition announcement of the year, with the purchase of Lake Success, New York-based Rampart Brokerage Corp. & Affiliates. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed. Founded 55 years ago, Rampart Brokerage Corp. and Affiliates (RBC) employs nearly 200 people and serves as a […]
Wells Fargo to lay off 320 Henrico County employees
The investment management and financial brokerage business unit of Wells Fargo & Co., Virginia’s third-largest bank by 2019 deposits, will lay off 320 employees from its Henrico County office. The wealth and investment management jobs are moving to some of the bank’s larger locations, Wells Fargo Advisors spokesperson Shea Leordeanu said in a statement. Wells […]