Central Virginia
Mutual Assurance Society of Va. names VP innovation, marketing
Mark Crutcher joins Richmond-based insurance company
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Richmond-based Mutual Assurance Society of Virginia announced Tuesday that it has named Mark Crutcher as its inaugural vice president of innovation and marketing. Crutcher most recently was a senior product manager with Safe Auto and had previously served as Lititz Mutual’s vice president of marketing, underwriting and product development. “Mutual Assurance’s goal is to embrace
Henrico County announces $2.3B GreenCity arena project
Project on former Best Products HQ site to include 17,000-seat arena, hotels, retail, office and housing
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Henrico County officials announced Tuesday plans for a $2.3 billion arena-anchored development, born out of the failed Navy Hill project proposal for downtown Richmond. But with private financing and no projected impact on county taxpayers, the GreenCity development may have a smoother path. Proposed on the 204-acre former Best Products property owned by the county,
Richmond to select casino operator, site in summer 2021
Public survey opens Tuesday; RFPs due in February 2021
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The city of Richmond intends to select a resort casino site and operator in summer 2021, according to an announcement from Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney released Tuesday. The Virginia General Assembly earlier this year passed a law authorizing resort casinos to operate in each of five economically challenged cities, including Richmond. For the project to
Capital Region Small Business Development Center opens in Richmond area
Will assist business owners around region
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Now part of the state’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network, the Capital Region SBDC opened this month to assist Richmond-area small business owners, Virginia Community Capital announced Monday. Funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration with $192,000 in CARES Act money, plus matching grant funds from regional sources, the center will provide COVID-19 assistance,
Eastern Virginia
TCC names vice president of institutional advancement
Stan Turbeville most recently worked for James Sprunt Community College in N.C.
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Tidewater Community College in Norfolk has named Stan Turbeville as its vice president of institutional advancement. Turbeville brings 25 years of leadership experience to the post, including serving as vice president for college advancement for James Sprunt Community College in Kenansville, North Carolina, and working as director of marketing and public information for Guilford Technical
2020 Legal Elite — Young Lawyer Profile
Michael D. Pierce, Vandeventer Black LLP, Norfolk
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Title: Labor and employment associate Other legal specialties: Commercial and civil litigation, professional liability defense Education: Bachelor’s degree, Christopher Newport University; law degree, Regent University Spouse: Teneisha C. Pierce Children: Micah E. Sharp-Pierce; David L. Pierce; Arianna C.A. Pierce; Ian A. Pierce; and Jaxon I.A. Pierce First job as a lawyer: Judicial law clerk for
Governor’s Inn in Williamsburg sells for $3.05M
Built in 1964, hotel closed permanently in 2019
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The Governor’s Inn, a former 200-room hotel in Colonial Williamsburg, sold for $3.05 million, Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer announced last week. Charlottesville-based real estate investment company Castle Development Partners LLC purchased the property from The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and plans to raze the property and redevelop it into a 162-unit apartment community. Built in
Chesapeake industrial office building sells for $1.95M
195K-square-foot property sells
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An industrial office building in Chesapeake sold for $1.95 million, Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer announced last week. Located at 1017 Wallboard Drive, the 19,500-square-foot office building was vacant at the time of the sale. The property was purchased by Wallboard LLC, a drywall company, from Seahawk Properties LLC, which it will use it as
Northern Virginia
Herndon’s K12 Inc. reports ransomware attack
Cybercrooks may have accessed student, employee data from online education provider
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Herndon-based online education provider K12 Inc. announced Tuesday that the company was the victim of a ransomware attack that may have compromised its corporate back office systems. “We do believe that the attacker accessed certain parts of our corporate back office systems, including some student and employee information on those systems, but it will take
Reston tech company names human resources VP
Deborah Sutton joins iGov
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Reston-based systems integration provider iGov announced last week it has hired Deborah Sutton as vice president of human resources. She replaces Kim Schmitt, who has retired. With more than 25 years of experience, Sutton was most recently an independent executive human resources consultant. In her new role, she will advise senior management and lead the
Intelsat closes $400M cash deal for commercial aviation business
McLean-based satellite telecom firm acquires division from in-flight broadband provider Gogo
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McLean-based communications satellite services provider Intelsat Corp. announced Tuesday it has completed the acquisition of in-flight broadband connectivity provider Gogo Inc.’s commercial aviation business for $400 million in cash. The acquisition was first announced in early September. Intelsat plans to pair its satellite and ground network to Gogo’s customer base of more than 3,000 commercial
LMI lands $77.5M Homeland Security contract
Tysons-based contractor to assist efforts countering weapons of mass destruction
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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) awarded Tysons-based government and defense contractor LMI a $77.5 million contract to support and advise the department on efforts to prevent chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear attacks. LMI will provide services to the DHS Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Office. The company will offer expertise on chemical,
Roanoke/New River Valley
Va. Tech says ‘Cheers!’ to Fightin’ Hokies Lager
University announces beer production partnership with Richmond-based Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
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Although Hokie fans couldn’t fill Lane Stadium this year decked in maroon and orange, there’s a new tailgating trophy they can look forward to obtaining this coming spring — a licensed Virginia Tech beer, Fightin’ Hokies Lager. Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences announced Tuesday it has partnered with Richmond-based Hardywood Park Craft
The Branch Group names new CEO
Don Graul from Parsons Corp. will lead Roanoke-based construction company
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The Branch Group Inc. announced Monday that Donald “Don” Graul will take over as CEO of the Roanoke-based construction company on Dec. 14. With 38 years of industry experience, Graul most recently served as president of construction and connected communities for Centreville-based Parsons Corp. Graul held several roles at Parsons, including executive vice president of
Va. Tech ups connectivity with broadband block buy
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In an effort to literally expand Virginia Tech’s research bandwidth, the Virginia Tech Foundation bought eight blocks of Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) in the Federal Communications Commission’s auction this summer. As owner of priority access licenses (PALs) for four 10MHz blocks in Montgomery County and four blocks in Craig County, the university will likely
Appalachian Power denied rate increase by SCC
Customers are not due refunds
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A rate increase sought by Appalachian Power Co. has been denied by the State Corporation Commission. According to a statement issued by the SCC on Tuesday, Appalachian Power was seeking to increase rates by approximately $10 per month for a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity. Appalachian Power earned profits that were
Shenandoah Valley
After 30 years, The Free Clinic will shut its doors
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Harrisonburg’s The Free Clinic will go out of business at the end of December after providing medical care to low-income, uninsured adults for more than 30 years. “We’ve taken care of patients. We’ve made our community a healthier place, and we’re happy about that,” says Joshua Hale, president of the clinic’s board of directors. “Even
Shenandoah Valley Organic to create 110 jobs in Harrisonburg
Company to expand production capabilities with 75,000-square-foot facility
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Shenandoah Valley Organic, a family-owned organic chicken company, will establish a second, 75,000-square-foot facility in Harrisonburg, increasing production capacity and retail packaging abilities. The expansion will create 110 jobs, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday. Founded by sixth-generation farmer Corwin Heatwole, Shenandoah Valley Organic mission is to partner with independent family farmers to raise organic chickens.
Northam announces ‘Dopesick’ to film in Virginia
Michael Keaton will star in Hulu series based on book by Roanoke author Beth Macy
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On Tuesday, Gov. Ralph Northam announced that “Dopesick,” an eight-episode limited Hulu series, will film in Central Virginia, the Shenandoah Valley and Roanoke region through the spring. Based on the bestselling nonfiction book “Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America,” by Roanoke journalist Beth Macy, the series will star Academy Award-nominated actor
Dynamic Aviation to expand, creating 207 jobs in Rockingham County
Company to invest $47.9 million
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Bridgewater-based Dynamic Aviation Group Inc. plans to invest $47.9 million in expanding its operations in Rockingham County, creating 207 jobs, the governor’s office announced Thursday. The company, which is among Rockingham’s top employers, employs 750 people and operates in 11 countries. Its Bridgewater facility includes a heavy maintenance and modifications center, an engine shop and
Southern Virginia
Pandemic puts Martinsville Speedway on slower track
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Over Halloween weekend, Martinsville Speedway welcomed fans back to NASCAR Cup Series races for the first time since the pandemic began. However, occupancy was limited to 1,000 people for a race series that normally attracts more than 40,000 fans. And for some area businesses that depend on race fan dollars, the limited-attendance event was a
Dominion proposes nine new solar projects
Facilities would power up to 125K homes at peak output
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Richmond-based Dominion Energy Inc. proposed a new slate of projects on Monday that would bring nearly 500 megawatts of solar energy to Virginia customers, enough to power around 125,000 homes at peak output. The proposal, which the utility called “its largest slate yet of new solar projects” in a statement, was submitted for approval by
Danville Utilities completes 14MW solar project
Solar development to provide power for 1,500 homes per year
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Danville Utilities, in partnership with Edison, New Jersey-based CS Energy LLC, Hingham, Massachusetts-based Navisun LLC and Denver-based TurningPoint Energy, announced Tuesday it has completed a 14-megawatt utility-scale solar project in Danville — the city’s largest solar development to date. The 100-acre project, which began construction in December 2019, is estimated to generate 23,551 megawatt hours
Hemp industry takes another step forward
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The co-founders of South Boston-based Golden Piedmont Labs want to give the county a boost by processing hemp from local farmers. “We were looking for a way to give back,” says Rick Gregory, who started Golden Piedmont Labs with Sterling Edmunds Jr. Both are Halifax County natives with extensive backgrounds in real estate and finance.
Southwest Virginia
Grayson County food manufacturer announces $1.5M expansion
Grayson Natural Farms LLC to create 40 jobs
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Organic meat snack brand Grayson Natural Farms LLC will expand its Grayson County operation by 35,000 square feet through a $1.5 million investment, creating 40 jobs, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday. Grayson Natural Farms produces Landcrafted Food, which are grass-fed, organic meat snacks. Its smokehouse and production operation is currently located at 226 Industrial Lane.
Can Southwest Virginia win the data center game?
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Like many other parts of the commonwealth, Southwest Virginia is making a play to attract data centers, offering cheap land, available workers and a natural cooling system. Data centers aren’t huge employers but do offer high wages and significant tax revenue — which other regions in Virginia have taken full advantage of, particularly Loudoun County in
Appalachian Power denied rate increase by SCC
Customers are not due refunds
Published
A rate increase sought by Appalachian Power Co. has been denied by the State Corporation Commission. According to a statement issued by the SCC on Tuesday, Appalachian Power was seeking to increase rates by approximately $10 per month for a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity. Appalachian Power earned profits that were
Vinton, Warsaw, Wytheville receive industrial revitalization funding
Northam announces $1.4 million in funding for three projects
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The towns of Vinton, Warsaw and Wytheville will receive a total of more than $1.4 million in state industrial revitalization fund (IRF) grants, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Friday. IRF funding provides gap financing for redevelopment projects that can lead to long-term employment opportunities. “This funding will not only help transform deteriorating or unused structures, it
