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Chrysler Hall plans $76M upgrade
The Broadway blockbuster “Hamilton” generated more than $1.2 million in admissions taxes for Norfolk during its monthlong engagement at Chrysler Hall in December 2019. However, city officials warn that similar productions could bypass Norfolk unless the theater undergoes major renovations. City Manager Chip Filer has propose[...]
B-Cubed program aids minority-owned businesses
A minority business assistance program in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County has helped 15 businesses and disbursed $21,700 in grant money in its first year of operation. With $200,000 in state and federal grant awards announced in October 2021, organizers of the Black- and Brown-Owned Business Growth Program, known as B-Cubed, [...]
The Visionary
The online version of this article includes additional material from Virginia Business’ interview with Pharrell Williams. Pharrell Williams is a 13-time Grammy winner, an Oscar nominee, a fashion designer, a film producer, a music superstar and innovator. He’s also a native Virginian — a point that comes across stron[...]
VHCC tech center to expand welding, diesel tech
Demand for welders is so great that some of Eddie Fultz’s Virginia Highlands Community College students are being hired for part-time jobs while they’re still completing their training. “We’re in a manufacturing area where we cannot meet the demand,” says Fultz, coordinator of VHCC’s welding program. “It’s a grea[...]
Averett students take flight at Danville airport
Times are changing at Danville Regional Airport. Averett University became the airport’s fixed-base operator in July 2021, replacing General Aviation Inc., a family-owned business which served as the FBO for more than 70 years. The city of Danville owns the airport and its fueling facility. The city’s chosen FBO pays the cit[...]
Glavé & Holmes Architecture names first female president
Lori Garrett has been named president of Richmond-based Glavé & Holmes Architecture, the company announced Tuesday. She is the first female president of the firm, which was founded in 1965. Garrett succeeds Randy Holmes, who was the firm’s president for 21 years. He will continue to serve as a senior principal. “Lori is[...]
HII names new president and CEO
Christopher D. Kastner will become president and CEO of Newport News-based Huntington Ingalls Industries, the nation’s largest military shipbuilder, on March 1. Mike Petters, who has served as the Fortune 500 company’s president and CEO since Northrop Grumman Corp. spun off its shipbuilding division in 2011, will bec[...]
Hilb Group founder to lead acquisitions for Virginia Beach firm
Robert “Bob” Hilb will lead mergers and acquisitions at Virginia Beach-based insurance agency Choice Financial Group and continue to serve as a senior adviser and board member, the company announced Wednesday. “Bob’s experience and knowledge assisted my agency in achieving 700% growth from 2018 to 2021,” Richard Braun,[...]
Port of Va. had $100B+ economic impact in FY21
Amid some of the toughest months of the pandemic, the Port of Virginia set cargo records, processing more than 3.2 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, and generating more than $100.1 billion in ancillary economic impact, according to the port’s fiscal 2021 economic impact repor[...]
Appalachian Council for Innovation taps exec director
John Bebber has been hired as executive director of the Appalachian Council for Innovation, its board announced earlier in January. He was previously district director for U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Abingdon. ACI is a nonprofit regional economic development organization founded in 1999 as the Southwestern Virginia Technology C[...]
ODU’s Strome Center to host tech entrepreneur weekend
Old Dominion University’s Strome Entrepreneurial Center will hold its 3 Day Startup weekend entrepreneurship program, where participants develop and pitch a product, from Feb. 4 to Feb. 6. ODU previously held the program in 2018, 2019 and 2021. This year’s event is focused on technology solutions. Attendees form groups on Friday afternoon and begin to […]
Elizabeth River Crossings announces CEO
Elizabeth River Crossings OpCo LLC (ERC) has promoted Anna Bonet to CEO, the company announced Wednesday. ERC finances, operates and maintains the Elizabeth River Tunnels from Portsmouth to Norfolk. Bonet joined ERC as deputy CEO in September 2021 and worked with former CEO David Sullivan, who announced his retirement last week.[...]
