Central Virginia
Avula: Virginia COVID-19 cases could jump 10X in next week and a half
Richmond/Henrico health department director says Virginians should "be prepared" for an explosive jump in cases.
Dr. Danny Avula, director of the Henrico County and Richmond health departments, warned Friday, “We need to be prepared that we might have a 10x jump [in the number of COVID-19 cases] in the next week and a half” in the state, which would overwhelm hospitals. Virginia has 604 cases of COVID-19 as of Friday,
Two “presumed positive” fatal cases add to death toll at Henrico nursing home
As of Friday, center reports 6 deaths.
A Henrico County longterm care facility, Canterbury Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, reported two deaths of “presumed positive” COVID-19 patients in the past 24 hours, in addition to four deaths earlier this week of people whose test results had already come back positive. One man died at a hospital and the other at the center, according
VCU Health physician runs COVID-19 drug trial
Experimental antiviral medication is being tested on patients at VCU Health System
A VCU Health liver specialist and gastroenterologist is leading clinical trials for a possible drug treatment for COVID-19 patients. This week, Dr. Arun Sanyal began testing remdesivir, an antiviral medication previously used experimentally to treat the Ebola virus, on several VCU Health System patients with moderate to severe cases of COVID-19. While it’s too early
Fourth resident dies from COVID-19 at Henrico nursing home
17 residents have been infected with virus at Canterbury Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center
A fourth resident has died from COVID-19 at Canterbury Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, the long-term care nursing home in western Henrico County where 17 residents and six staff members have tested positive for the novel coronavirus over the past 12 days. Two patients from the center are receiving treatment at a regional hospital and 11
Eastern Virginia
An aerial view of drone industry during COVID-19
CEO of DroneUp in Virginia Beach discusses how technology is being used during crisis.
Virginia Business virtually sat down with Tom Walker, founder and CEO of DroneUp, a Virginia Beach-based company that provides end-to-end aerial data services to the commercial sector, government and pilots to get a feel for how his drone company has adapted to doing business during the coronavirus crisis. This is part of an ongoing series
Colonial Downs Group will pay Rosie’s employees through April
The gaming company is also donating 20,000 meals to first responders and essential workers during the COVID-19 crisis.
After closing its popular Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums and the Colonial Downs Racetrack in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Colonial Downs Group announced Wednesday that it will pay all company employees through April and will also transition its Rosie’s Kitchens to providing 20,000 free “grab and go” meals for first responders, medical personnel and other essential
Colonial Williamsburg closing most hotels, furloughing staff
Foundation is also offering hotel space for emergency housing and care.
In response to the growing COVID-19 pandemic, Colonial Williamsburg is expanding its closures to include most of its hotels and will furlough most hospitality staff after April 11. The already-financially challenged history tourism foundation has also immediately instituted pay cuts for all employees making more than $50,000 per year, with the highest-paid managers taking the
Death toll reaches 7; Virginia Beach reports first fatality
Patient was man in his 70s, VDH reports
A man in his 70s has died from COVID-19, the first coronavirus death reported in Virginia Beach and the seventh statewide, according to a statement Monday from the Virginia Beach Health District. The man had underlying health conditions, according to a Monday afternoon news release, and the cause of death was acute respiratory failure. The
Northern Virginia
Prince William Health District reports first COVID-19 death; Fairfax reports second death
Va. death toll may be as high as 18.
A man in his 70s died Friday in a hospital from respiratory failure, Prince William Health District officials announced Friday evening. It is the first COVID-19 death recorded in the district, which includes Manassas and Woodbridge Fairfax County Health District reported its second coronavirus death, a man in his 60s who contracted the virus during
First COVID-19 death reported in Loudoun; Va. toll now at 14
Woman in her 70s dies from respiratory failure
The Loudoun County Health Department reported its first COVID-19 death Thursday afternoon, bringing the total fatalities in Virginia to 14. The patient was a woman in her 70s who died from respiratory failure caused by the virus. She was hospitalized, according to a press release from the county. “We are saddened by the first confirmed
Northern Virginia Community College launches COVID-19 emergency fund for students
NOVA hopes to grant at least 1,500 financially vulnerable students with $500 apiece.
Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) Educational Foundation on Monday launched an emergency student aid fund to help students struggling with economic fallout from COVID-19, with a goal to issue $500 grants to at least 1,500 students. More than half of NOVA’s 85,000 students work full- or part-time jobs, according to the community college, and the
Northern Va. home prices rise, home inventory falls in February
Long & Foster president says COVID-19 will likely impact consumer confidence.
Chantilly-based Long & Foster Real Estate released a report Thursday showing that median home sale prices rose, but home inventory dropped in most of Northern Virginia in February. The Long & Foster Real Estate Market Minute Report studied trends in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Loudoun County and Prince William County. Prince William County showed a
Roanoke/New River Valley
Colonial Downs Group will pay Rosie’s employees through April
The gaming company is also donating 20,000 meals to first responders and essential workers during the COVID-19 crisis.
After closing its popular Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums and the Colonial Downs Racetrack in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Colonial Downs Group announced Wednesday that it will pay all company employees through April and will also transition its Rosie’s Kitchens to providing 20,000 free “grab and go” meals for first responders, medical personnel and other essential
Coronavirus spreads to Southwest Virginia
A Botetourt County woman in her 80s is in serious condition at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
A Botetourt County woman in her 80s who is in serious condition at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital is the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Southwest Virginia, Carilion Clinic and Botetourt County officials confirmed Thursday. The woman was admitted to the hospital on March 16, exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, according to Dr. Paul Skolnik, Carilion’s chair
HHHunt names new COO
Stephen Fritz has been with the company since 2015.
Blacksburg-based real estate company HHHunt Corp. promoted Stephen Fritz to chief operating officer, the company announced Tuesday. Fritz was most recently senior vice president of HHHunt and president of HHHunt Homes. As COO, he will serve on the company’s executive committee. He will be based in the Richmond and Raleigh offices and will oversee the
Pulaski shopping center sells for $5.25M
The 112,340-square-foot retail center has Food Lion and Peebles among its tenants.
A 112,340-square-foot retail center in Pulaski was sold for $5.25 million, Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer’s Capital Markets Group announced Monday. The shopping center located at 1200 E. Main St. in Pulaski was 91% leased at the time of the sale. Tenants of Pulaski Plaza include Food Lion, Peebles, Badcock Furniture, Gordmans, Aaron’s and Family
Shenandoah Valley
Omni Homestead closing until June 1
Faced with the global economic crisis hitting the hotels industry from the COVID-19 pandemic, the resort is temporarily shutting down as of March 29.
The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs announced Friday that it is closing from March 29 until June 1, due to the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. “The global health crisis has hit the hospitality industry swiftly and significantly. Like many hotels, we’ve felt the impact and made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend
Denver real estate company buys Lexington apartment building for $12.2M
Lexington House is a section 8 affordable housing community.
Denver-based real estate company Steele Properties LLC has acquired a three-story, 78-unit apartment building in Lexington for $12.2 million. It plans to begin renovating the complex in May, Steele Properties Communications Manager Lynn Haner says. The community, Lexington House, is reserved for seniors and disabled persons in need of Section 8 affordable housing. Steele Properties
Howard Shockey & Sons Inc. names new senior VP
Jonathan Cadle comes from Hitt Contracting Inc.
Jonathan Cadle has been named senior vice president at Howard Shockey & Sons Inc., a Winchester-based general contractor that is 124 years old. He joins the firm from Glen Allen-based Hitt Contracting Inc., where he served as vice president, Shockey announced this week. With 25 years in the construction industry, Cadle is a member of
Banner year
With Merck and Hershey deals, valley hits investment record
You’d be hard pressed to find an economic development official who had a better first year on the job than Jay Langston did in 2019. With Langston at the helm, the Shenandoah Valley Partnership, a regional economic development group, announced a record $1.5 billion in business investment last year, anchored by Merck & Co.’s expansion of its longstanding pharmaceutical production facility
Southern Virginia
Eggs in several baskets
A diversified job market develops in Southern Virginia
Southern Virginia ended 2019 with some of the largest investments the region has seen in recent years and strong economic momentum — a far cry from 15 to 20 years ago when the area experienced downfalls in employment and capital investment after the textiles industry moved operations outside the country. Last July, the positive energy
The Hail Mary
Danville and Pittsylvania land van manufacturer
Football isn’t the only occupation in which a wild, slim-chance pass can deliver a win. Last fall, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and Danville and Pittsylvania County officials launched a Hail Mary economic pitch that landed a $57.89 million expansion project from Michigan-based van manufacturer Morgan Olson LLC. Morgan Olson is establishing a walk-in step
Dominion to build yet another solar facility for Facebook
Greensville project is eighth collaboration in Va. and N.C.
Dominion Energy Inc. will build a solar facility in Greensville County — its eighth facility to be dedicated to Facebook Inc., the company announced Thursday. The Virginia State Corporation Commission approved the 100-megawatt project, Sadler Solar, on Jan. 22, and the facility is expected to be operational by the end of this year. Dominion will
Morgan Olson training program set to start in March
The Virginia Talent Accelerator Program, launched last fall by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, is set to begin its first big project in March, training an estimated 703 people to work at Morgan Olson LLC’s new plant in the Danville area at no cost to the employer. Many will train in classrooms and the welding
Southwest Virginia
Va. Tech student tests positive for COVID-19
University President Tim Sands says it's "likely that more cases will be identified in the coming days and weeks."
A Virginia Tech student living off campus in Blacksburg has tested positive for COVID-19, according to an email sent out Friday by Virginia Tech President Tim Sands. The student is believed to have been exposed to the virus during international travel and is in self quarantine. “The Virginia Department of Health, working with our own
1901 Group expanding into Washington County
The IT services company is creating 150 jobs at its third Virginia operations center.
Reston-based information technology services company 1901 Group will invest $1.15 million in Washington County to establish its third Virginia operations center, creating 150 jobs, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Monday. The new center will be located at the Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator in Abingdon, where small businesses can pay $1.05 per square foot to be
Moving beyond coal
Stalwart Paul’s Fan Co. diversifies its business, creates jobs
In 1923, the number of people earning a living mining coal in the United States peaked at 862,536. Now, that number is around 52,000, and many people and companies who relied on coal for income have fallen on hard times. That’s one reason the 2019 expansions of Paul’s Fan Co., which has been tied to
A multifaceted strategy
Southwest Virginia seeks to build on small business wins
Catching the big one matters, but a lot of little successes can mean a lot, too. In Southwest Virginia, small triumphs have accumulated over the past year, in addition to larger announcements. Last April, Polycap LLC, a Toronto-based manufacturer of specialty caps and closures, announced it would invest $7.7 million in Lebanon, establishing its first