Trucking on: How truckers are battling historic labor shortage
RICHMOND — From hand sanitizer and vaccines to groceries and toilet paper, truck drivers are trucking through the COVID-19 pandemic despite a historic labor shortage. Many industries moved workers home during the start of the pandemic, but truckers worked “to meet the needs of this country.” “The trucking industry has st[...]
Va. invests $722M in broadband expansion
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam this week announced a state investment of $722 million in grants toward expanding high-speed internet service in 70 localities across the commonwealth. The governor says the funding will help Virginia achieve 90% of its universal broadband access goal by 2024. “Broadband access impacts every facet o[...]
Northam proposes $2.1B in tax cuts for ‘working people’
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, who leaves office next month, proposed four tax cuts Tuesday, including eliminating Virginia’s 1.5% sales tax on groceries and providing an income tax cut for low- and middle-income Virginians. He also proposed one-time tax rebates — $250 for individuals and $500 for married couples — and e[...]
Tysons Partnership names acting exec. director
Tysons Partnership Inc. has named Richard Bradley, principal at Washington, D.C.-based The Urban Partnership LLC, as the organization’s acting executive director, effective Jan. 1. Bradley succeeds Tysons Partnership President and CEO Sol Glasner, who is stepping down Dec. 31. Glasner announced his retirement in August aft[...]
ICF International to acquire Creative Systems and Consulting
Fairfax-based management consulting firm ICF International Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire McLean-based IT federal contractor Creative Systems and Consulting, ICF announced Tuesday. The financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Founded in 1969, ICF has about 7,500 employees. Creative was foun[...]
Southwest Va. project will help manufacturers enter wind energy supply chain
Public-private campaign InvestSWVA announced Tuesday the launch of an economic development initiative designed to help Southwest Virginia manufacturers find entry points in the supply chain for wind energy equipment components. The initiative, called Project Veer, will connect Southwest Virginia manufacturers with industry exper[...]
Two Va. projects are finalists for $100M U.S. EDA grants
Two Virginia projects — one to make Central Virginia an advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing hub and one to support the transportation and logistics cluster in Southern and Southwest Virginia — are two of 60 finalists for the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge, which will provide awardees with up to $100 million each. […]
Amazon provides $21M to create real estate developers of color program
Amazon.com Inc. announced Wednesday a $21 million grant to create a professional training, mentorship and capital funding program for real estate developers of color focused on affordable housing. “With this accelerator program, we are laser focused on lifting up emerging real estate developers of color. We want to foster thei[...]
Commercial real estate leasing roundup
Hampton Roads Daliza’s Dominican Beauty Salon leased 1,200 square feet of retail space at 980 J. Clyde Morris Blvd. in Newport News. Bob Saunders of Harvey Lindsay Commercial Real Estate handled this transaction. Audio Pros Inc. renewed its lease of 3,47 square feet of retail space at 894 East Little Creek Road in Norfolk. Kimberly […]
GMU hires first university ombudsperson
George Mason University has hired Kimberly Davidson as its first ombudsperson, and she will start in February, the university announced Friday. Davidson comes to the university from Ohio’s Oberlin College, where she worked for two decades, including the past five years as the college’s ombudsperson, who is charged wi[...]
Construction begins on Rivers Casino Portsmouth
Chicago-based developer and gaming operator Rush Street Gaming broke ground Tuesday on Rivers Casino Portsmouth, kicking off construction of the $300 million casino and entertainment complex. Located off Victory Boulevard, the complex will have a casino, BetRivers sportsbook, restaurants, a live entertainment lounge, hotel and e[...]
Colonial Heights shopping center sells for $26.25M
Colonial Square, a Publix-anchored shopping center in Colonial Heights, sold for $26.25 million, JLL announced Thursday. Colonial Square Associates – A Berman Kappler Property sold the shopping center to United Hampshire US REIT. The shopping center is 168,326 square feet and is 99% leased. It was constructed in 1967 and u[...]