Richmonders launching large hemp processing facility in South Boston
Blue Ribbon Extraction, a company started by two Richmonders, is investing $3.26 million to establish Virginia’s first large-scale industrial hemp processing and cannabidiol (CBD) oil extraction facility in South Boston, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday. The project will create 22 jobs and the company plans to source about $70 million in hemp — more than […]
Va. Economic Developers Assoc. announces award recipients
The Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA) announced Tuesday the recipients of its 2020 Community Economic Development Awards (CEDA): the city of Harrisonburg for its Bricks & Clicks Initiative and a regional economic development collaboration among Pittsylvania County, Danville and the Southern Virginia Regional Al[...]
GO Virginia Region 3 names program director
Growth and Opportunity for Virginia’s Region 3 Council announced Tuesday it has named former Orange County Administrator Bryan David as program director for the region, which includes the cities of Danville and Martinsville. In his new role, David will lead the operations of the Region 3 GO Virginia Council in collaboratio[...]
FerraTex to buy Henry County facility for $1.95M
FerraTex Solutions LLC will purchase the former Compton Woods Products facility in Bowles Industrial Park in Henry County for $1.95 millon, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday. FerraTex, which specializes in services and liners for cured-in-place pipes (a method of repairing existing pipelines), will renovate and expand the facility, adding 15 jobs. “As we work to […]
Caesars wins bid in Danville casino project
After taking bids from several companies, Danville officials announced Monday that the city is in negotiations with Caesars Entertainment to be the preferred operator of a Danville-based casino. Voters will still need to approve the casino in a November local referendum. The $400 million resort is proposed for the former Dan Riv[...]
Plastics company plans 200 jobs, $34M investment in Pittsylvania
An Ohio-based plastics company is planning to invest $34 million in a new plant in Pittsylvania County, a project expected to bring 200 manufacturing jobs to the region over the next four years, local officials announced Friday. The 250,000-square-foot plant will be built on the former site of Burlington Industries in the Southern Virginia Multimodal […]
Executive profiles
We asked leaders in Virginia’s maritime and logistics industry for their thoughts on the Port of Virginia expansion and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on shipping. Click to expand photos. Interviews follow. VB: How will the Port of Virginia expansion impact Virginia’s economy? Adams: The Central Chapter encompasses the area around Richmond and is […]
Danville, Pittsylvania land on top ‘micropolitan’ list
A yin-and-yang approach has led to business success in the city of Danville and Pittsylvania County, which were collectively named the No. 6 micropolitan area in the nation by Site Selection Magazine in April. It’s the third time the region has landed in the top 10 list, which is based on economic development deals in [&hellip[...]
Cash crop?
Petunias, plants, strawberries, meat, tomatoes and more have been the primary revenue sources for Rolling Meadows Farms during the past 31 years. Tim Belcher took over the 400-acre Martinsville family farm in 1989 after his father retired. Now, the farm has a new product line and Belcher has high hopes that it could run neck [&h[...]
Danville Community College names associate VP of human resources
Danville Community College announced Tuesday it has hired Bruce Cottrill as its associate vice president of human resources, a new position for the college. Cottrill relocated from Charleston, West Virginia, where he was most recently the interim vice chancellor for human resources with the West Virginia Higher Education Pol[...]
Former IKEA warehouse sells for $3.85M in Pittsylvania
A 152,379-square-foot warehouse and distribution facility formerly used by IKEA in Pittsylvania County’s Ringgold area sold for $3.85 million, Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer announced Monday. Rick Barker Properties LLC purchased the facility located at 240 Factory Lane — approximately six miles outside of Danville. [...]
Averett University names new VP and CFO
Averett University announced Thursday that Don Aungst has become the university’s new vice president and chief financial and operating officer. He started at the Danville college this month. Aungst was most recently the CFO at Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania. He has more than 30 years of experience in higher educati[...]