Richmond ad agency Yebo announces closure after 35 years
Formerly known as the Barber Martin Agency, Richmond-based Yebo has announced its closure after 35 years. The firm changed its name to Yebo, pronounced “Yay-bow,” in early 2020 to better reflect the firm’s mission. The name means “yes” in the Zulu language of Southern African, which includes Zimbabwe, birth nation of Yebo President and CEO […]
Richmond region launches state’s first tourism district
Virginia’s first tourism improvement district received approval this week and can begin collecting funds from Richmond-region travelers to fund tourism marketing efforts beginning July 1. Following Richmond City Council’s approval vote this week, the new tourism improvement district, or TID, received the necessary support to move forward. Designated areas that raise funds for tourism marketing […][...]
Amazon HQ2 opens to high expectations
Let the tech wizardry begin: Amazon.com Inc. held the grand opening and ribbon cutting for the first phase of HQ2, the ecommerce goliath’s $2.5 billion East Coast headquarters in Arlington County, on Thursday. Dignitaries in attendance included Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Arlington County Board Chair Christian Dorsey, JBG Smith Prope[...]
Richmond riverfront amphitheater gets green light
Red Light Ventures LLC’s $30 million, 7,500-person riverfront amphitheater received a green light Monday from Richmond City Council, which approved a performance grant that paves the way for construction of the proposed music and performance venue to start as soon as this summer. With plans to host up to 35 major acts annu[...]
Richmond City Council passes casino legislation — again
Richmond City Council on Monday selected RVA Entertainment Holdings LLC — a joint venture between Urban One Inc. and Churchill Downs Inc. — as the city’s preferred casino operator, one of several administrative steps the city must take before a mulligan casino referendum lands on ballots in November, asking voters to r[...]
NoVa housing forecast: sellers’ market to continue
Northern Virginia’s housing market will likely remain a sellers’ market for the rest of 2023, according to a Northern Virginia Association of Realtors market forecast released June 6. NVAR and George Mason University’s Center for Regional Analysis predict a continuing housing inventory shortage and pent-up demand from buyers amid positive economic conditions but mounting risks. […]
Truist grants $500k to aid Richmond Community Wealth Building office
Truist Foundation announced it has made a $500,000 grant that will ultimately help Richmond’s Office of Community Wealth Building provide further financial, education and employment coaching to city families, the philanthropic arm of Truist Financial Corp. announced in a press conference Friday. “At Truist, our purpose [...]
Virginia Business announces 2023 Va. CFO Awards winners
Virginia Business presented its 2023 Virginia CFO Awards Thursday during the magazine’s annual awards banquet honoring chief financial officers from nonprofits and businesses from across the commonwealth. This year’s Virginia CFO Awards banquet — the largest annual gathering of CFOs in Virginia — was held at The Jeff[...]
Regent University founder Pat Robertson dies at 93
Christian Broadcasting Network founder M.G. “Pat” Robertson, a one-time GOP presidential hopeful and also chancellor, founder and CEO of Regent University in Virginia Beach, died Thursday at age 93, Regent and CBN announced. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved founder,” Regent University Executive [...]
Arko closes Uncle’s convenience stores deal
Arko Corp., a Fortune 500 holding company for Henrico County-based convenience store chain GPM Investments LLC, has closed on its acquisition of Texas-based WTG Fuels Holdings LLC, the owner of Uncle’s convenience stores and Gascard fleet fueling operations. It’s Arko’s 24th acquisition since 2013. The deal was[...]
Norfolk City Council votes to purchase MacArthur Center
On Wednesday evening during a special meeting, Norfolk City Council members approved plans for the city to purchase the struggling MacArthur Center mall downtown for up to $18 million. The 23-acre MacArthur Center is owned by Wells Fargo & Co., which holds the mall following a loan default by the mall’s previous owner, C[...]
AWS reports it invested $51.9B in Va. from 2011-21
Amazon Web Services Inc. invested more than $51.9 billion in Virginia between 2011 and 2021, according to an economic impact statement released by the company Wednesday. That investment total includes capital and operational expenditures in Virginia, including Loudoun, Fairfax and Prince William counties, AWS said. During that s[...]