Petersburg prepares for casino referendum vote
This November, Petersburg voters will decide the fate of a highly anticipated casino development that could transform the city’s struggling economy. If approved, the proposed $1.4 billion Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia project will be built on an undeveloped 100-acre site off Interstate 95, offering easy access to East Coas[...]
Lead generation
Imagine the opportunity to hear Thomas Jefferson speak on today’s most important societal issues. That’s exactly the aim of The Williamsburg Institute, a new collaborative effort between the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and William & Mary. The nonprofit institute is aimed at providing immersive opportunities for lead[...]
All aboard in Hampton Roads
Amtrak Virginia — the state-supported Amtrak rail service — has been experiencing record ridership for more than a year, with passengers in Newport News and Norfolk making up the lion’s share of the traffic. In March, with the state recording a high of 123,658 train riders, 79,158 came from Norfolk and Newport News. In June, […]
High stakes
The 2024 presidential race between Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump carries hefty consequences for Virginia’s economy that will be even more pronounced than in previous elections. Presidents are limited by the constraints of Congress — particularly if either chamber is held[...]
Latest and greatest
By late spring, surf will be up at Atlantic Park on the former site of The Dome, Virginia Beach’s distinctive geodesic dome convention center and concert hall that was torn down in 1994. Atlantic Park, a $350 million mixed-use entertainment venue and surf lagoon project at the Oceanfront, is the highest profile project in the [...]
Executive insights
Virginia Business asked six Hampton Roads leaders to discuss how their organizations are contributing to the region’s success and meeting challenges such as sustainability, regional cooperation and workforce training. LAURA HAYES CHALK Executive director, Virginia Beach Vision, Virginia Beach Virginia Beach Vision is partly focused on resiliency and sustainability — what do you hope to […][...]
Sentara to cut 200 jobs across workforce
Sentara Health is cutting approximately 200 positions across its workforce, officials told employees this week. Most of the affected employees work for Sentara Health Plans and are based in Virginia, according to a statement issued Friday by the Hampton Roads-based health system. The cuts are related to the Medicaid redeterminat[...]
Va. Realtors: Home sales to increase 9.8% in 2025
Virginia Realtors forecasts a 9.8% year-over-year increase in home sales in 2025, according to its 2025 Economic & Housing Market Forecast, released Thursday. So far this year, housing sales in the state are outpacing sales last year (although the pace of sales is below the annual average) and are on track to be up 2.9% [&he[...]
Virginia ranks No. 8 in U.S. for VC investment
Virginia was ranked No. 8 in the nation for venture capital investment in 2023, marking the state’s highest rating so far and its first time back in the top 10 in the past 15 years, according to an announcement Thursday by Virginia Innovation Partnership Corp. (VIPC). Earlier this month, VIPC hosted an event at Amazon.com&[...]
15 Va. schools make U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 national universities list
Fifteen Virginia schools ranked on the U.S. News and World Report’s 2025 Best National Universities list released Tuesday. Several Virginia schools were noted on other education rankings released by the media company, including 16 Virginia colleges on the best national liberal arts colleges list. For U.S. News and World Report[...]
Manufacturer plans $5M expansion in Scott County
VFP, a manufacturer of enclosures used to protect critical infrastructure, will invest $5 million to expand its Scott County facility, a move expected to create 50 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Monday. The expansion will allow VFP to respond to a growing data center market. “Virginia’s robust data center industry r[...]
TowneBank to acquire Village Bank for $120M
Suffolk-based TowneBank has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Midlothian’s Village Bank and its parent company, Village Bank and Trust Financial, a deal worth approximately $120 million, the banks announced Tuesday. “Our TowneBank family is humbled and excited to partner with Village Bank and its team members,” Town[...]