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Tourism bet pays off for Danville and Pittsylvania
In 2024, visitor spending across Danville and Pittsylvania County reached $275.2 million, according to data from the Virginia Tourism Corp. That’s a year-over-year increase of 23.5% — making it the fastest-growing tourism destination in Virginia. Tourism supported 2,221 local jobs and generated more than $11 million in local tax revenue across the region. One obvious […]
Shenandoah University launches $100M fundraising campaign
Shenandoah University has launched a $100 million fundraising campaign that aims to add a major new arts center, upgrade athletics facilities and create endowed professorships and new course offerings. Shine: The Sesquicentennial Campaign is the largest capital drive in the Winchester university’s 150-year history. Its pri[...]
Washington County workforce housing project launches
A residential subdivision composed largely of housing intended for the local workforce is coming to Washington County. Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Ardent Development Group owner Jerome Malinay and others attended an Oct. 21, 2025, groundbreaking for the roughly 325-home Sunny Valley subdivision. “Housing’s very much needed … [...]
Newport News trades center to power maritime workforce
Virginia Peninsula Community College is building a $9 million trades center in southeast Newport News that will prepare more than 400 students annually for maritime and construction jobs. The 16,000-square-foot facility, which began construction in August 2025, is set to be completed in February and will begin offering programs [...]
VCU advances its Diamond District plans
Virginia Commonwealth University was expected to wrap up deals by the end of 2025 for the Richmond Economic Development Authority to buy VCU’s aging Sports Backers Stadium and for its Rams baseball team to play at the forthcoming CarMax Park stadium. VCU, the City of Richmond and Navigators Baseball, which owns the Richmon[...]
Centra’s $600M+ capital upgrades include new hospital tower
What’s expected to be a three-year, $400 million construction project is underway at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital (LGH). A new six-story tower will add 266,200 square feet to the hospital and marks the biggest portion of more than $600 million in recent capital investments by Centra Health, a regional nonprofit health[...]
Bristol hopes for bigger share of casino tax
The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol this November marked its first year in its permanent facility — a milestone that the city’s mayor says prompted officials to move ahead with trying to change how tax revenue from the casino is divided. “We’re excited to have them here,” says Mayor Becky Nave, “but we j[...]
FOR THE RECORD December 2025
Central Virginia Pharmaceutical giants AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly & Co. and Merck & Co. have committed a cumulative $120 million to develop a workforce training center for advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing in Central Virginia. The companies, each of which plans to build major manufacturing facilities in Virginia; the s[...]
Virginia casinos report $82M in October revenue
October gaming revenues for Virginia’s three casinos totaled $82.1 million, according to data the Virginia Lottery released Friday.
Virginia Intermont College campus owner modifies plans
The owner of the former Virginia Intermont College in Bristol plans a new four-year school and mixed-use redevelopment for the site.
Roanoke remembers Hurricane Juan’s 1985 toll
Forty years ago, remnants of Hurricane Juan dumped buckets of rain on the Roanoke Valley for days. Then, on Election Day, the area received 6.6 inches over a few hours. The Roanoke River rose to more than 23 feet. The 1985 flood claimed 10 lives in the valley. An economic price was also paid. “In […]
Newport News airport shifting beyond commercial flights
Following years of declining commercial air travel, the Newport News-Williamsburg Airport is expanding its focus from traditional passenger service to emerging aviation and aerospace uses. In May, Newport News City Council authorized $4 million to sustain the airport as it prepares to transform into a site-ready air commerce par[...]
