Growth and development
Despite dealing with the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, Southern Virginia is celebrating the development of a resort casino, new investments in the area and several company expansions. The pandemic has presented localities in the region like Danville with a number of challenges they haven’t seen before, bu[...]
Martinsville credit union names chief information officer
Martinsville-based ValleyStar Credit Union announced Thursday it has hired Cheri Spence as its first chief information officer. Spence joined the ValleyStar board of directors in 2019 as the result of a merger with Entrust Financial Credit Union, where she served as chairwoman. She most recently served as vice president and CIO [...]
Averett University hires VP for philanthropy
Averett University announced Wednesday it has hired Melissa Wohlstein as vice president for philanthropy, effective Tuesday. Wohlstein has nearly 20 years of experience in higher education settings. She most recently served as the associate vice president of development at Hollins University. “With her existing connections to [...]
Wind industry training catches a Southern breeze
New College Institute wants to take the lead in building the state’s wind energy workforce. In January, the Martinsville higher education center became the first site in Virginia to offer wind technician training courses, certified by the Global Wind Organisation, a Danish nonprofit that sets international minimum standard[...]
Crown Holdings to build $145M aluminum can factory in Henry County
Yardley, Pennsylvania-based metal packaging tech company Crown Holdings Inc. will establish a $145 million aluminum can manufacturing operation in Henry County, creating 126 jobs, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday. The company will build the 355,000-square-foot facility to be used for aluminum beverage can production in the Commonwealth Crossing Business Centre. Founded in 1892, the Fortune […][...]
Packaging manufacturer to launch $45M expansion in Pittsylvania County
During the next four years, Intertape Polymer Group Inc. (IPG) will expand its Pittsylvania County manufacturing operation, investing approximately $45 million and creating 50 jobs, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday. The packaging products and systems company will add 30,000 square feet to its facility at 1101 Eagle Springs Road and invest in production, operations and […]
Laminating company to add 42 jobs in Henry County
Custom laminating company Laminate Technologies Inc. will invest $4 million to expand its Henry County facility in Ridgeway, creating 42 jobs, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Friday. The company’s manufacturing facility, which opened in 2012, is located at 775 Industrial Park Drive, where an automated hardwood plywood press line will be installed to increase its capacity […]
Amid leadership shuffle, Halifax sees silver lining
The Halifax County Industrial Development Authority has seen some upheaval recently, but officials say there are several projects in the pipeline as well as a new shell building ready to be occupied. In October 2020, IDA executive director Brian Brown was fired after being hired a little more than a year ago, a move that [&helli[...]
Construction begins on $25.5M Danville manufacturing center
The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) announced Tuesday it has broken ground on a $25.5 million, 51,250-square-foot manufacturing center on its Danville campus. The Center for Manufacturing Advancement (CMA) will offer space for manufacturing companies establishing or expanding their presence in Southern Virgin[...]
Amazon announces investment in two more solar farms in Halifax County
Part of a global renewable energy purchase, Amazon.com Inc. announced Thursday it will invest in two more Halifax County solar farms, in addition to a deal announced in March that is expected to come online in 2021. The two new solar farms, which are expected to provide 70 megawatts and 51 megawatts of power by […]
Caesars delivers $15 million payment to city of Danville
Danville city officials accepted a $15 million initial payment from Caesars Entertainment Inc. on Wednesday, the first installment of $20 million the company pledged to pay the city after receiving approval from city voters to build a $400 million casino and resort in Danville’s Schoolfield area by 2023. Las Vegas-based Ca[...]
Pandemic puts Martinsville Speedway on slower track
Over Halloween weekend, Martinsville Speedway welcomed fans back to NASCAR Cup Series races for the first time since the pandemic began. However, occupancy was limited to 1,000 people for a race series that normally attracts more than 40,000 fans. And for some area businesses that depend on race fan dollars, the limited-attendan[...]

















