State litter tax rate, penalty increase go into effect May 1
Rate increases and a large additional penalty for late payments for the state’s litter tax will go into effect for Virginian business owners on May 1. The changes, a result of legislation from the 2020 General Assembly session, are as follows: – The litter tax payment will increase up to $20 per business establishment. – […]
COVID roundup: AG says Va. public colleges can require vaccine
As more Virginians get vaccinated, the attorney general has issued an opinion concluding that the state’s public colleges and universities can require COVID-19 vaccinations for in-person attendance this fall — although it remains up to individual institutions. “There is no question that the General Assembly could enact[...]
Norfolk industrial building sells for $3.75M
A 66,000-square-foot industrial building in Norfolk has sold for $3.75 million. Virginia Beach-based Club Forrest Acquisitions LLC purchased the building, located at 4500 Progress Road, from Boston-based Wheeler Commercial Properties. The deal closed on April 15. The building is situated on a four-acre parcel and is currently oc[...]
Dollar Tree launches digital media network
Chesapeake-based Fortune 500 discount retailer Dollar Tree has launched a digital media arm that aims to connect advertisers with potential customers via its Family Dollar retail brand, it announced today. Dollar Tree says its new venture, the Chesapeake Media Group, will offer services that help companies place ads on Family Dollar’s website and mobile app […]
Commercial real estate leasing roundup
Central Virginia – Weyerhaeuser Co. renewed its lease of 72,399 square feet of industrial space at Sarellen Road Warehouse, 4200-4222 Sarellen Road, in Henrico County. Evan Magrill and Scott Douglas of Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer handled lease negotiations on behalf of the landlord. – Belvac Production Machinery Inc. leased 40,000 square feet of industrial […]
Henrico-based The Hilb Group announces four acquisitions
Henrico County-based insurance company The Hilb Group LLC (THG) announced a series of acquisitions in the last three weeks, bringing its total offices to more than 100 in 22 states. The company has been focused on acquisitions in recent years. Founded in 2009, THG has been a portfolio company of Washington, D.C.-based investment management company […]
Arlington’s Blackfin acquires Roanoke County apartments for $23.2M
Arlington-based Blackfin Real Estate Investors LLC purchased Villages at Garst Creek, a 504-unit apartment complex in Roanoke County, for $23.25 million. The deal closed on April 21. Built in 1974, the 33-building property is located at 4375 Garst Mill Road. The property was rehabbed in 2007 under the Section 42 Low-Income Housi[...]
U.Va. names new engineering school dean
The School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Virginia announced Friday the appointment of its first female dean, Jennifer L. West. She will start July 1. A researcher, inventor and entrepreneur, West comes from Duke University, where she’s been associate dean of doctoral education for a little more than six years at […]
Virginia’s median home price jumps 9.8% over previous year
On April 20, Virginia Realtors reported that the median statewide home sales price for March was $335,000, up 9.8% from a year ago. Outlined in Virginia Realtors’ March 2021 Home Sales Report, the trade association reports that home prices have been rising quickly since last summer, with year-to-date home prices up in nearly[...]
Fortnite video game CEO makes Va.’s largest land conservation gift
North Carolina billionaire and Epic Games Inc. CEO Tim Sweeney has donated 7,300 acres of privately-owned land in Halifax County to the state — the largest single private land conservation gift in Virginia history, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Friday. Cary, North Carolina-based Epic is the company behind the massively popular [...]
Northam: State to loosen more restrictions May 15
Beginning May 15, the state will loosen more restrictions, including allowing larger social gatherings and expanded audiences for entertainment venues and sporting events, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced in a video message released Thursday. Restaurants will also be allowed to resume serving alcohol after midnight. Northa[...]
Va. jobless claims up 173% from last week
For the April 13-17 filing week, 13,751 Virginians submitted initial unemployment claims, a 173% increase from the previous week, but an 83% decrease from this time a year ago when jobless claims were near a peak during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week’s new claims rose by 8,717 compared to those from the week ending Apri[...]