March 2023 Top Five

The top five most-read daily news stories on VirginiaBusiness.com from Jan. 14 to Feb. 13 included Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s controversial decision to prevent a Ford electric battery factory from coming to Southern Virginia over worries about the project’s ties to China. The plant instead will be locating in Michigan, about 100 miles west of Detroit. 

1  |   Democrats call out Youngkin on Ford plant decision  Lawmakers excoriated the governor for blocking a $3.5 billion Ford Motor Co. factory that could have created 2,500 jobs in Pittsylvania County; Youngkin expressed concerns over Ford’s partnership with a Chinese company in the project, and potential ties to China’s government. In February, Ford announced the plant will go to Michigan. (Jan. 17)

2  |   Virginia ABC announces next Pappy lotteries  The state announced a new round of online lotteries for the chance to purchase several varieties of the prized Pappy Van Winkle whiskeys. (Feb. 8)

3  |   $100 million donor gift to launch University of Virginia biotech institute  U.Va. announced plans for a $300 million biotechnology institute funded in part by a $100 million donation from Charlottesville investor Paul Manning and his
wife, Diane. (Jan. 20)

4  |   Capital One cuts 1,100 jobs  McLean-based Capital One Financial Corp. eliminated more than 1,100 technology positions. (Jan. 20)

5  |   Dollar Tree CEO resigning; former Dollar General CEO to replace him  Rick Dreiling became the Fortune 500 discount retailer’s CEO on Jan. 29, ending Mike Witynski’s 30-month tenure. (Jan. 24)