Zim announces $30M expansion
Zim American Integrated Shipping Services Co. LLC will invest $30 million to expand its U.S. headquarters in Virginia Beach, creating several hundred jobs over the next five years, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Tuesday. The expansion includes a move from Norfolk, where the company has had its U.S. headquarters since 2001. Zim is[...]
HeadWaters developers scrap temporary casino plans
The developers of the $500 million HeadWaters Resort & Casino in Norfolk have scrapped plans to open a 45,000-square-foot temporary casino, instead focusing all their efforts on building the permanent casino, which will open before construction begins on an associated hotel and other planned amenities. “We have changed ou[...]
Raytheon rebrands to RTX as part of business reorg
A year after moving its headquarters to Arlington County, Fortune 500 aerospace and defense contractor Raytheon Technologies Corp. has rebranded as RTX. The new name, launched to coincide with the Paris Air Show and the company’s 2023 investor meeting, comes as RTX consolidates its business units from four to three: aerosp[...]
GDIT receives $383M Navy contract
Falls Church-based General Dynamics Information Technology Inc. will help train more than 100,000 U.S. Navy and allied sailors on surface combat systems under a $383 million contract announced June 15. The contract, awarded by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren on behalf of the service’s Surface Combat Systems Training Command, has a one-year base and […]
Buc-ee’s to open in New Kent by 2025
It’s official. Buc-ee’s, the Texas-size travel center chain, completed its purchase of property in New Kent County and will open its first Virginia location in the next two years, with three more slated across the state, S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co. said in a news release. A groundbreaking date for the New Kent site has n[...]
Carpenter acquires Belgian foams biz for $468M
Richmond-based Carpenter Co. has completed its acquisition of Belgium-based Recticel’s engineered foams division for $468 million, a deal that makes makes Carpenter the world’s largest vertically integrated manufacturer of polyurethane foams and specialty polymer products, the company announced Wednesday. Founded in 1950, Carpenter is a manufacturer and supplier of foam, fiber and chemicals used in “comfort […][...]
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[...]
United Way of South Hampton Roads names new leader
Mark Uren will be the new president and CEO of the United Way of South Hampton Roads, the organization announced Tuesday. He starts in the role on July 17. Michele Anderson, the regional United Way’s previous CEO, left the organization in January. Kristel Fitzgerald, chief operating officer, and Kelsey Mohring, chief marke[...]
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[...]