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Woodgrain Inc. to invest $17M in SW Va., creating 100 jobs
Woodgrain Inc. will invest $9 million to expand its operations in Smyth County and invest $8 million more to purchase and expand the former Independence Lumber sawmill in Grayson County, producing 100 jobs, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Friday. The family-owned business based in Idaho is one of the largest millwork companies in the world, manufacturing […]
State pushes broadband expansion into overdrive
Early in his administration, Gov. Ralph Northam proposed an ambitious goal: achieving universal broadband connectivity statewide by 2028. In May and July, Northam and General Assembly leaders announced plans to speed up that timeline; instead, they aim to deliver broadband to most of Virginia in 18 months using $700 million from[...]
United Way of SW Va. names marketing, communications director
The United Way of Southwest Virginia named Scott Robertson as its director of marketing and communications. He will assume the role on Aug. 9, according to the Abingdon-based nonprofit. Robertson will direct strategic marketing and promotions, provide communications project management and oversee digital services. President and [...]
Virginia to spend $700M on universal broadband by 2024
Ahead of the General Assembly’s August special session, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Friday he wants to spend $700 million of Virginia’s federal relief funding on expanding broadband access to all of Virginia. Virginia received $4.3 billion in federal funds through the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan passed in Ma[...]
Region hopes for jolt from batteries, electrification
Adam Wells is charged up about a plan to create a “battery and electrification economy” in Southwest Virginia. “This is the most exciting thing that I’m working on,” says Wells, Appalachian Voices’ Norton-based regional director of community and economic development. The environmental nonprofit led the effort[...]
People Inc. names next president and CEO
Bryan Phipps has been named the next president and CEO of Abingdon-based nonprofit People Inc., the organization announced in a news release. The 17-year veteran of the community action agency will serve as senior vice president until current President and CEO Robert G. Goldsmith retires at the end of December. Phipp has more than 21 […]
Wytheville’s Two-Way Radio acquired by S.C. company
Two-Way Radio Inc., a Wytheville-based provider of communications systems and devices for public safety and industrial clients, has been acquired by Spartanburg, South Carolina-based Mobile Communications America Inc. (MCA). Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Both companies are Motorola dealers. Founded in 1948, Two-Way serves clients in Southwest Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, North […][...]
Dickenson IDA gets $1.1M loan to purchase former mill site
The Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority received a loan of up to $1.175 million from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority to purchase the former Mountain Forest Products mill site, a 433-acre property in Dickenson and Wise counties, for future economic development. The site, which is adjacent to th[...]
(Solar) powering the economy
A 700-acre solar farm on a former surface mine outside of Hurley will be more than it appears, according to Adam Edelen. “Buchanan County and the entire region of Southwestern Virginia intends to benefit from the digital economy rather than be a victim of it,” says Edelen, CEO of Edelen Renewables. Based in Lexington, Kentu[...]
SunCoke to invest $50M in Buchanan County plant
SunCoke Energy Inc., the largest independent producer of high-quality coke for blast furnace steel production in the Americas, plans to invest $50 million in its Buchanan County manufacturing operation, Gov. Ralph Northam said in a news release Tuesday. Calling the project “a much-needed boost” for Southwest Virginia, Northam said the project will retain approximately 100 […]
Wytheville apartments, storage facility sells for $4.2M
The Birchwood Apartments and AAA Self Storage properties in Wytheville have sold for $4.2 million, Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer’s Capital Market Groups announced last week. The May 14 transaction includes 60 apartments, 139 self-storage units and an 1,800-square-foot office building on adjoining parcels at 125-195 B[...]
Regional leaders wish upon Starlink
After a pilot program successfully connected 45 Wise County households with SpaceX’s Starlink high-speed satellite internet, regional efforts are underway to broaden access to the service spearheaded by billionaire Elon Musk. Scott Kiser, director of technology for Wise County Public Schools, helped shepherd the pilot for [...]
