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In terms of business activity and economic development wins, 2021 turned out to be a stellar year for the Shenandoah Valley. “We have exceeded what we anticipated from a business activity perspective,” says Jay Langston, executive director of the Shenandoah Valley Partnership, which promotes economic development from Shenand[...]
Amazon to open Augusta County distribution facility
Amazon.com Inc. will open a 1 million-square-foot, nonsortable fulfillment center in Augusta County, creating 500 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Wednesday. The facility at 32 Trader Road in Fishersville will open in spring 2023 and will pick, pack and ship bulky or larger-sized items, such as patio furniture, outdoor equipm[...]
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, [...]
Va. housing market broke records in 2021
Last year Virginia’s housing market was one for the record books, according to a new report released Jan. 21 by Virginia Realtors. In 2021, there were 154,340 home sales statewide, a 10.2% increase over 2020, according to the industry association. The median sales price was $350,000, a $30,000 jump, or 9.4% increase, from the previous […]
State awards $7M in grants to help with site readiness
Eleven commercial projects across the commonwealth will get a boost to help with site readiness, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday. The Virginia Business Ready Site program, administered by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, awarded $7 million in development grants. Having project-ready sites available has been a[...]
Daikin dojos offer workforce training
In the U.S., the Japanese word “dojo” generally refers to a martial arts training space, but in recent years, the term’s also been adopted in business for workforce development. In October 2021, Daikin Applied, a Minneapolis-based commercial HVAC equipment manufacturer, expanded the training dojo program at its Verona prod[...]
7-Eleven portfolio sells for $19.7M
A portfolio of seven 7-Eleven Inc. gas and convenience locations around the commonwealth have been sold to affiliates of Hermosa Beach-based Equitas Investments LLC for $19.7 million, Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer announced Monday. The deal closed on Dec. 22 and includes seven freestanding, corporately leased 7-Eleven stor[...]
The Meridian Group buys 277 acres in Winchester for industrial park
Bethesda, Maryland-based real estate investment firm The Meridian Group has purchased 277 acres of land in Winchester along Insterstate 81 and has plans to develop an industrial park on it. The purchase price of the land was not disclosed and is not yet available from public land records. The Meridian Group acquired the propert[...]
Winchester industrial property sells for $12.2M
A 244,500-square-foot industrial property in Winchester sold for $12.2 million, Marcus & Milichap announced Wednesday. The property is located at 310 Tyson Drive and was sold by Harrisonburg-based InterChange Group Inc. to Washington, D.C.-based Ritz Banc Group. Christopher C. Dale, Robert Filley and Randall Heilig, with Mar[...]
Va. invests $722M in broadband expansion
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam this week announced a state investment of $722 million in grants toward expanding high-speed internet service in 70 localities across the commonwealth. The governor says the funding will help Virginia achieve 90% of its universal broadband access goal by 2024. “Broadband access impacts every facet o[...]
Commercial real estate leasing roundup
Hampton Roads Daliza’s Dominican Beauty Salon leased 1,200 square feet of retail space at 980 J. Clyde Morris Blvd. in Newport News. Bob Saunders of Harvey Lindsay Commercial Real Estate handled this transaction. Audio Pros Inc. renewed its lease of 3,47 square feet of retail space at 894 East Little Creek Road in Norfolk. Kimberly […]
JMU student and alumni entrepreneurs get boost from program
The James Madison University Bluestone Seed Fund announced Monday that it would provide three startup companies with $5,000 each in its inaugural investment cycle. The Gilliam Center for Entrepreneurship manages the donor-backed fund. The three chosen startups are Gewd Botanicals, Handicans and Tow Ninja. Malique Middleton, a 20[...]
