Elizabeth Cooper

Dominion Energy plans to develop the nation's largest wind farm — an $8 billion, 220-turbine project — off the coast of Virginia Beach by 2026. Photo courtesy Dominion Energy

Winds of change

Virginia Beach’s $8 billion offshore wind farm moves forward

In September, Dominion Energy Inc. unveiled an ambitious, $8 billion project to erect the nation’s largest offshore wind farm off the Virginia Beach coast. If all goes to plan, it will power 650,000 Virginia homes by 2026. This year, Dominion expects to bring its offshore wind pilot project online and start ocean survey work on…

The Port of Virginia's marine terminals have been undergoing a host of improvements, including dredging and widening channels and adding the largest ship-to-shore cranes on the East Coast. Photo by Mark Rhodes

Port of call

Deep-water harbor drives local economy

Hampton Roads’ deep-water port continued to be a dominant factor in attracting companies to the region in 2019, especially cold storage and warehousing and logistics firms. “As we try to bring industry into this area, the port is a significant driver of our economic development,” says Doug Smith, president and CEO of the Hampton Roads…

Ashley McLeod, Virginia Maritime Association's vice president for communications and marketing

Maritime Association turns 100, eyes expansion

In the Virginia Maritime Association’s 100th year, Ashley McLeod has a wish for inland businesses to recognize the impact of the Port of Virginia on the entire state. “One in 10 jobs in Virginia is related to maritime supply chains,” says McLeod, the association’s vice president for communications and marketing. “We want to be there…

Pharrell Williams-backed surf park on its way

After almost a year of negotiations, Virginia Beach City Council has struck a deal with Venture Realty Group to develop a mixed-use surf park and entertainment venue covering three city blocks near the oceanfront. Called Atlantic Park, the $325 million project will be built on the 10-acre site of The Dome, the geodesic concert venue…

‘Screen-side manner’

Telehealth expands specialists’ reach into remote areas and saves lives

Initially focused on rural areas, U.Va.’s telehealth program has expanded to wherever there is a shortage of specialists.

Groups partner to build world-class workforce

After forming the Southeastern Virginia Regional Workforce Collaborative last fall, the Hampton Roads Workforce Council and the Greater Peninsula Workforce Board funded a report this year on the region’s workforce demographics, the supply-demand gap in work skills and a workforce strategy to improve the talent pipeline.