Studio Center, Back Bay Brewing Co. announce expansions in Virginia Beach

Two Virginia Beach-based companies have announced expansions that are adding 20 new jobs and $4.4 million in capital investment, according to the city’s communications office.

Studio Center, a production company, will move to a new location within the city. The expansion will add 20 full-time jobs to its workforce of 33, with average annual salaries of $52,000.

Studio Center’s Virginia Beach operations are housed in two buildings off Greenwich Road at 240 and 161 Business Park Drive. Expansion work on I-264 necessitates the move from 240 Business Park Drive where the company’s video production services are housed, to 149 Business Park Drive, next door to its other location.

Studio Center will invest $1.2 million in the real estate and add $1 million in improvements and $800,000 in business property. Based on the capital investment, the Virginia Beach Development Authority has approved a $150,000 Economic Development Incentive Program grant.

Farmhouse Brewing Co., in a partnership with Back Bay Brewing Co. and general contractor Axis Global Enterprises Inc., will renovate the historic Wood Family farmhouse at 1805 Kempsville Road for Back Bay’s second brewery in Virginia Beach. The farmhouse was built in 1910, and plans include tasting rooms, lounges and ADA-accessible facilities.

The capital investment for the farmhouse brewery project is $1.4 million for the improvements and equipment. The Virginia Beach Development Authority has approved a $35,000 Economic Development Investment Program grant for the expansion, based on capital investment.