J.B. Hunt to acquire Bassett Furniture subsidiary for $87M
A subsidiary of Lowell, Arkansas-based transportation company J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a subsidiary of Bassett-based home furniture manufacturer and marketer Bassett Furniture Industries Inc. for $87 million, the companies announced Monday. J.B. Hunt Transport Services&[...]
U.Va. breaks ground on data science building
The foundation for the University of Virginia’s new School of Data Science will begin to take shape in the coming months at the corner of Emmet Street and Ivy Road. The $35 million, 61,000-square-foot building is expected to open to students in spring 2024. It sits on part of a 14-acre site that formerly housed […]
Dumfries’ Rose gaming resort could have big local impact
Athough casinos being built in four Virginia cities have grabbed the lion’s share of media attention, construction is also underway on The Rose, a $400 million gaming facility and hotel in Prince William County that represents an additional outcome of the state’s 2020 casino legislation. Colonial Downs Group is build[...]
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[...]
Revamping Vinton
Vinton has been reinventing itself over the past decade, using public-private partnerships to convert old, vacant buildings into bustling modern developments. Now that the small eastern Roanoke County town has attracted new residents and visitors, the town’s new focus is on improving its transportation, walkability and inf[...]
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 s[...]
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. [...]
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[...]
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. “Lor[...]
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 Br[...]