Fed Fifth District economy shrinks slightly
The economy in the Federal Reserve’s Fifth District (a multistate region including Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Maryland) has contracted slightly since March, according to the latest edition of the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book, released Wednesday. Published eight times per year, the Beige Book[...]
Potomac Yard Metro station opening May 19
Potomac Yard Metro station will open May 19, Alexandria’s mayor and Metro’s CEO announced Wednesday. Metro’s 98th station, it will be located near Virginia Tech’s Innovation Campus and Amazon.com Inc.’s Arlington HQ2 East Coast headquarters. “Our team is working hard to put the finishing touch[...]
At max capacity
Supply chain and logistics executives used to joke that no one knew or understood what their jobs were — that is, until the COVID-19 pandemic upended how goods were transported to warehouses and ultimately to customers. “Until you start to look behind the scenes, you don’t know how all of this gets to your door […]
Buc-ee’s could open first Va. store in New Kent
A Texas-sized travel center could be coming to New Kent County. Buc-ee’s, which bills itself as having the cleanest restrooms in America and the “friendliest beaver,” has filed a conditional use permit with the county’s planning and zoning department for review and approval of a proposed sign, the county&[...]
Torc to acquire Canadian computer vision firm
Blacksburg-based Torc Robotics on Tuesday announced it will acquire Montreal-based computer vision company Algolux Inc. A purchase price was not disclosed. Torc, a self-driving truck company, is an independent subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG. Torc said in a news release that it is acquiring Algolux for its expertise in computer vision and machine learning. Algolux […]
A sampling of Virginia’s major road projects
HAMPTON ROADS Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion Project Work continues on Virginia’s largest highway construction project, the $3.9 billion Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) expansion. The contract ends in November 2025, but the contractor — Hampton Roads Connector Partners, a joint venture led by Dragados USA Inc. — [...]
Torc names regulatory, safety SVP
Blacksburg-based Torc Robotics has named Michelle Chaka as senior vice president overseeing safety and regulatory matters, the self-driving truck company announced Wednesday. Chaka, who most recently has worked as a director for safety assurance and standards for Pittsburgh-based autonomous trucking solutions firm Locomation Inc[...]
Aument to step down from AECOM leadership role
Jennifer Aument, AECOM’s transportation chief executive, plans to step down from her job this spring, a decision she reached after surviving breast cancer. Based in Arlington County, Aument said in an interview this week with Virginia Business that she is now healthy, while adding, “It it hard to fully recover and ge[...]
Report: Air taxis could land Va. $16B in new biz by 2045
Air taxis could generate up to $16 billion in new business in Virginia and carry as many as 66 million passengers by 2045, according to an economic impact study released Tuesday. The report, commissioned by the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corp. and the state commerce and trade secretary, forecasts short, carbon-free flights[...]
Fourth generation is now driving Estes Express Lines
Richmond-based Estes Express Lines, now entering its 92nd year, has promoted Webb Estes to president and chief operating officer, while his father, former president Rob Estes, will continue as board chairman and CEO of North America’s largest privately owned freight carrier. Billy Hupp, another family member who previously[...]
VW America CEO named Autos Drive America chair
Pablo Di Si, the Herndon-based president and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, has been elected chairman of Autos Drive America, a trade association that represents 12 international automakers with presences in the United States, Volkswagen announced Tuesday. Previously executive chair of Volkswagen’s South America regio[...]
Potomac Yard Metro station set to open in May 2023
After more than two decades of planning, Alexandria’s Potomac Yard Metro station has a finalized opening date — May 2023 — according to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, which announced its plans Tuesday. The station, Metrorail’s 98th in the Washington, D.C., region, was originally set to open i[...]