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Slowdowns ahead
When the COVID-19 outbreak began in March, projects at Howard Shockey & Sons, a Winchester-based commercial construction company, kept moving forward. After all, construction is considered an essential business, and unlike some other states, Virginia did not restrict construction activity at the start of the pandemic. But wh[...]
Canceled oyster fest hits Urbanna’s wallet
Here’s a pandemic casualty unlikely to appear on Dr. Fauci’s radar: The annual Urbanna Oyster Festival, traditionally set for the first weekend in November, has been shucked off. Citing risks from COVID-19, the Urbanna Oyster Festival Foundation, the event’s sponsor, called off the festival for the first time in 63 years, [...]
Mack medium duty trucks on the road again
Founded by two brothers 120 years ago, Mack Trucks Inc. is an iconic American brand and image — snub-nosed trucks adorned with bulldogs because of a nickname earned in World War I. And since Sept. 1, all of Mack’s medium duty trucks are being built in Roanoke County’s Valley TechPark. The company, part of Sweden’s [&hell[...]
Richmond converts small business loans to grants
Five years ago, when Sandi Cauley opened her boutique fitness business, Turn Cardio Jam Studio, she did so on her own dime — not wanting to be strapped to loans and investors. But after the pandemic hit, she needed outside help to keep her business afloat. After she had trouble securing a Paycheck Protection Program […]
Is Trump good for business?
President Donald Trump entered the White House in 2017 with no political experience but a lifetime spent in business. Nearly four years later, with the incumbent Republican president up for reelection against Democrat Joe Biden, a former vice president who has been in politics for 50 years, Virginia voters are asking themselves:[...]
Nothing to complain about
Virginia’s top-paid CEOs brought home an average total compensation of $6.68 million each in 2019. That’s not too shabby, considering their average annual base salary was $900,218. Conducted by Redwood City, California-based executive compensation firm Equilar, Virginia Business’ most recent top executive pay report examin[...]
October 2020 – For The Record
Shenandoah Valley The Frederick County Economic Development Authority in late August allocated $1 million of federal CARES Act funds for a business grant program that would award grants of $5,000, $7,500 and $10,000 to businesses that were impacted by the pandemic. The Augusta County Economic Development Authority (EDA) also announced in early September it has […]
Thicker than water
“It isn’t personal. It’s just business.” Those phrases are too often used in the commercial world, but they just don’t apply when talking about most family-run enterprises. The business of running these companies is deeply personal. The priorities of family businesses “go well beyond financial concerns,” says B[...]
Casino is a dicey prospect for some Danvillians
As Danville voters await a November referendum to approve one of the state’s first casinos, some residents are concerned the project would bring crime and traffic to the area. Danville is one of five localities granted approval to build a casino by state lawmakers earlier this year, although developers require the approval of [...]
A look at November’s ballots
Besides considering candidates for president, U.S. Senate and 11 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives on Nov. 3, Virginians will also vote on two ballot measures to amend the state constitution. And four cities will hold local referendums to legalize gambling at proposed casinos within their boundaries. The statewide ballot measures include a proposal […]
The VirginiaBusiness.com Top Five
Falwell says resignation reports were false, then resigns: Facing scandals and board pressure, Liberty University’s president and chancellor denied he was resigning the day before the Christian school confirmed his departure. (Aug. 24-25) Virginia 500: Virginia Business magazine’s first annual special issue devoted to the commonwealth’s 500 most powerful leaders. (Aug. 31) Ex-associate claims sexual […][...]
Coal country sets its focus on absentee landowners
When farmers notice one of their cows has made a run for it, their first step will often be to alert the neighbors. That can be hard to do with an out-of-town owner, though. “If the farmer can knock on a door, that’s one thing,” explains Phil Meeks, Wise County’s agriculture and natural resources extension […]
