Partnership brings computer education to Bristol, Wise students
A new partnership is preparing Southwest Virginia middle and high school students for tomorrow’s tech jobs. As part of the United Way of Southwest Virginia’s Ignite Technology Talent Development program funded through GO Virginia Region 1, middle and high school students in Bristol and Wise County will learn about careers in[...]
Wythe County lumber company announces $2.4M expansion
Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday that Wythe County-based Musser Lumber Co. Inc. will invest $2.4 million to expand its operations and increase 12 jobs — which, during the next three years, will lead to more than $8.5 million in forest product purchases. “Musser Lumber’s continued growth and success in Wythe County is a testament to […]
COVID-19 cases surpass 100,000 in Virginia
Virginia has now recorded more than 100,000 cases of COVID-19 since it started tracking the coronavirus in February, the Virginia Department of Health recorded Monday. The state has 100,749 confirmed and probable cases, up 7,643 from Aug. 3. Virginia’s number of deaths went up by 109 last week to 2,327, and the statewide positivity rate […]
Va. Main Street Merit Award winners announced
The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) on Thursday announced the 2020 Virginia Main Street Merit Award winners, with businesses and projects in the Shenandoah Valley and Northern, Southern and Southwest Virginia recognized. Below are the 2020 award recipients: Best Downtown Public Improvement Project: town of St. Paul for the Downtown Comprehensive Infrastructure […][...]
Pandemic delays Virginia Business College opening
The new Virginia Business College in Bristol won’t open as planned for its first semester this August due to the coronavirus crisis. VBC President Gene Couch issued a statement June 25 announcing the nonprofit private college’s plans to “defer the initial [academic] offerings until a later date” due to the pandemic. Couc[...]
Virginia Tech chooses School of Education director
Virginia Tech announced Tuesday it has hired Kristin Gehsmann as the director of the School of Education, effective Aug. 1. She will also serve as an education professor. Gehsmann was most recently a professor and chair of the department of literacy studies, English education and history education at East Carolina University. Du[...]
Bristol’s State Street closes reopening gap
As Blackbird Bakery owner Randall Perkins watched businesses on the Tennessee side of Bristol’s State Street reopen after mandatory coronavirus shutdowns in April, he wondered why Virginia’s state government didn’t allow Bristol, Virginia, businesses to reopen then too – especially given the fact that the city only logge[...]
Northam recommends $4.2M in funding for SWVA projects
Gov. Ralph Northam on Tuesday recommended that more than $4.2 million in Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grants be distributed among 17 economic development projects in Southwest Virginia. ARC grants can be used toward infrastructure, entrepreneurship development and workforce development. Northam’s recommended allocations must be approved by the federal commission before being awarded later this year. […][...]
S.C. manufacturer relocating to Grayson County
Metalworx Inc., a manufacturer of highly-engineered and precision-manufactured components, assemblies and products for industrial uses, is investing $7.6 million to relocate its headquarters and manufacturing operations from South Carolina to the former Core Fitness Complex in Grayson County, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday. Virginia competed with North Carolina for the project, which will create […][...]
Virginia Bankers Association elects new board officers
The Virginia Bankers Association (VBA) announced Tuesday the newly elected officers for its 2020-21 board of directors: Chairman John C. Asbury and Chairman-Elect Leton L. Harding Jr. Asbury has been the president and CEO of Richmond-based Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp. since October 2016, and has served as CEO of its holding company since January 2017. […]
Pulaski company prepares to launch pollutant filter system
Updated June 29 A Pulaski-based company is poised to go commercial with technology that removes coal ash and other chemical pollutants from the air — extracting chemicals that can be recycled and sold for industrial use. A team of scientists at Virginia Tech has released a preliminary report confirming proof of concept, MOVA [...]
SW Va. businesses, officials urge Northam to reopen region
Southwest Virginia elected officials and business owners are ready to reopen for business, noting that the number of COVID-19 cases in their region is considerably lower than those found in the more populated regions of the state such as Northern Virginia and Central Virginia. “The [economic] effects of the COVID-19 pandem[...]