Header Utility Menu

  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram Get Our App

Virginia Business

Mobile Menu

  • Issues
  • Industries
    • Banking/Finances
    • Business Law
    • Commercial Real Estate
    • Economic Development
    • Education
    • Energy/Green
    • Government
    • Healthcare
    • Hotels/Tourism
    • Insurance
    • Ports/Trade
    • Small Business
    • Technology
  • Regions
    • Central Virginia
    • Eastern Virginia
    • Northern Virginia
    • Roanoke/New River Valley
    • Shenandoah Valley
    • Southern Virginia
    • Southwest Virginia
  • Reports
    • Best Places to Work
    • Business Person of the Year
    • CEO Pay
    • Fantastic 50
    • Generous Virginians Project
    • Legal Elite
    • Maritime Guide
    • Site Locator
    • The Big Book
    • Virginia CFO Awards
  • Company News
    • For the Record
    • People
  • Opinion
  • Events
  • Lists
  • Awards
    • Legal Elite
    • CFO Awards
    • Best Meeting Planner
    • Big Book of Lists
    • Best Golf Courses

Advertisement

Header Primary Menu

  • Issues
    • December 2019
    • November 2019
    • October 2019
    • September 2019
    • August 2019
    • Issues Archive
  • Industries
    • Banking/Finances
    • Business Law
    • Commercial Real Estate
    • Economic Development
    • Education
    • Energy/Green
    • Government
    • Healthcare
    • Hotels/Tourism
    • Insurance
    • Ports/Trade
    • Small Business
    • Technology
  • Regions
    • Central Virginia
    • Eastern Virginia
    • Northern Virginia
    • Roanoke/New River Valley
    • Shenandoah Valley
    • Southern Virginia
    • Southwest Virginia
  • Reports
    • Best Places to Work
    • Business Person of the Year
    • CEO Pay
    • Fantastic 50
    • Generous Virginians Project
    • Legal Elite
    • Maritime Guide
    • Site Locator
    • The Big Book
    • Virginia CFO Awards
  • Company News
    • For the Record
    • People
  • Opinion
  • Events
  • Lists
  • Awards
    • Legal Elite
    • CFO Awards
    • Best Meeting Planner
    • Big Book of Lists
    • Best Golf Courses

Home News Amanda Phelps, CPA

Amanda Phelps, CPA

Recruiting manager, Robert Half International, Norfolk

Published October 30, 2019 by Virginia Business

Photo by Mark Rhodes

How is the economy faring in your part of the state?
The economy in Hampton Roads is thriving. As a staffing manager, I have seen a demand for skilled talent. Unemployment is low, and the market for skilled labor is tight.        

What local industry/sector do you think has potential for growth?
Opportunities are available for growth in the logistics and supply-chain management industry. We are responsible for delivering goods to consumers across the nation and globe. Expansion and automation of the [Port of Virginia's] terminals are necessary. Mental health care is another opportunity. More companies are offering benefits that include access to mental health care and our health care facilities will need to meet demands. 

What’s the biggest challenge to doing business in your area?
Finding and retaining a talented workforce is challenging. It is a [job] candidate’s market right now, and candidates have their choice of employment. The Hampton Roads area is working hard to lure many Virginia college grads to remain or move to the Hampton Roads area. Sea-level rise is another threat to infrastructure in Hampton Roads and may discourage business. 

What impact would a recession have on businesses in your area?
A recession could negatively affect Hampton Roads, since our economy is heavily dependent on federal spending. Defense spending cuts could slow down business.  

How did the 2018 tax reform laws affect returns in 2019?
The 2018 tax reform resulted in a higher standard deduction and eliminating personal exemptions. As a tradeoff for ease, some taxpayers may have been less inclined to take advantage of previous tax incentives like charitable contributions and mortgage interest deduction. Many businesses have reported benefiting from the tax reform, leading to a thriving economy.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Trending

100 People to Meet in 2020

Angels

Impact makers

Rainmakers

Educators

Get Virginia Business directly on your tablet or in your mailbox!

Subscribe to Virginia Business

Advertisement

Advertisement

Footer Primary Menu

  • virginiabusiness.com
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Footer Secondary Menu

  • Industries
  • Regions
  • Reports
  • Company News
  • Events

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram Get Our App

Privacy Policy Cookie Policy

Footer Utility Menu

Copyright © 2019 Virginia Business. All rights reserved.

Site by COLAB