Van maker repays state grant after Pittsylvania layoffs
Morgan Olson has paid back a $500,000 Virginia Port Authority grant after the Michigan-based manufacturer of walk-in step vans failed to employ an agreed-upon number of workers at its facility at the Cane Creek Centre Industrial Park in Pittsylvania County. It’s not the jubilant future economic developers had envisioned when c[...]
Va. appoints new DRPT director
Tiffany Robinson is the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation’s new director, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Friday. Robinson succeeds Zach Trogdon, who has served as acting director since Jennifer DeBruhl retired July 1. Robinson has almost 15 years of experience in state and local government, according to [...]
Avionics manufacturer will invest $5M on Reston office and R&D facility
CMC Electronics, a Montreal-based avionics manufacturer, will invest $5 million to establish an office and research and development facility in Reston, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Friday. Initially, the project will create 89 jobs, with more positions expected as operations increase, according to the governor’s office. “Th[...]
Fed’s Fifth District economy grows modestly
Economic activity in the Federal Reserve’s Fifth District (a multistate region including Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Maryland) grew modestly from early September, according to the latest edition of the Fed’s Beige Book, released Wednesday. Published eight times per year, the Beige Book is base[...]
The other tunnel project
Despite complications including a run-in with an abandoned anchor, workers are now back at it, constructing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel’s second tunnel across the Thimble Shoal Channel. As of July, the bridge-tunnel’s expansion from one tunnel to two is set to be finished in 2027 — five years later than expected and [...]
All aboard in Hampton Roads
Amtrak Virginia — the state-supported Amtrak rail service — has been experiencing record ridership for more than a year, with passengers in Newport News and Norfolk making up the lion’s share of the traffic. In March, with the state recording a high of 123,658 train riders, 79,158 came from Norfolk and Newport News. In June, […]
Executive insights
Virginia Business asked six Hampton Roads leaders to discuss how their organizations are contributing to the region’s success and meeting challenges such as sustainability, regional cooperation and workforce training. LAURA HAYES CHALK Executive director, Virginia Beach Vision, Virginia Beach Virginia Beach Vision is partly focused on resiliency and sustainability — what do you hope to […][...]
Electra.aero names new CEO
Electra.aero has named B. Marc Allen its new CEO, succeeding founder John S. Langford, who will remain chairman, the Manassas-based aviation startup announced Thursday. Allen spent the bulk of his career, nearly two decades, at Boeing, which is headquartered in Arlington County. Since 2020, he served as chief strategy officer an[...]
Amazing race
Virginia is reaping thousands of jobs and huge tax revenues as Amazon.com revamps its U.S. delivery network. The e-commerce giant is opening major distribution centers and sorting facilities across the commonwealth as part of its nationwide strategy to get goods to consumers faster and stay one step ahead of competitors like Wal[...]
Fed’s Fifth District shows modest economic growth
The economy in the Federal Reserve’s Fifth District (a multistate region including Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Maryland) grew modestly in recent weeks, according to the latest edition of the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book, released May 29. Published eight times per year, the Beige Book is based[...]
Rock and a hard place
The global shipping industry is currently juggling crises taking place more than 7,000 miles apart: Houthi rebels’ attacks on ships in the Red Sea, and a drought that has slashed ship crossings in the Panama Canal. And those came before the East Coast was hit with additional supply chain stresses following the collapse of Balt[...]
Gas exchange
Alternative fuels such as hydrogen and compressed natural gas are attracting interest from trucking companies as the federal government prepares to reduce emissions limits by 2027. The Environmental Protection Agency’s new rules on heavy-duty diesel engine standards starting with 2027 models includes stricter standards aimed a[...]