Monthly News from Hampton Roads
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Note from the President
Doug Smith, Alliance President & CEO
As the Alliance continues to develop a team that can successfully fulfill our mission to leverage our region's incredible assets, I am pleased to announce two outstanding new hires: Jared Chalk as Chief Business Development Officer and Cliff Copley as Business Development Director.
Jared Chalk comes to the Alliance after a successful run as Director of Norfolk Economic Development. During his time with the City of Norfolk, Jared was instrumental in helping close some of the city’s biggest projects, including The Main hotel, IKEA, and bringing ADP to Downtown Norfolk. As Chief Business Development Officer, Chalk will lead the organization’s business development and investor relations efforts, bringing his considerable attraction and retention experience to the region’s leading economic development organization.
Cliff Copley brings a diverse background, which includes state-level economic development, planning, and workforce development, with him to the Alliance. As Business Development Director, Copley will help recruit new businesses and assist existing companies with expansion needs, thereby contributing to the Alliance’s goal of attracting jobs and capital investment to the region.
Please read the press release which provides more background on our new hires.
You will also read in the statement that I have promoted Steve Harrison to the role of Chief Operating Officer. Steve has done an outstanding job since he rejoined the Alliance most recently as our Interim Chief Strategy Officer. In this role, Harrison will oversee the organization’s operations, while continuing to lead the Alliance’s strategic planning, marketing, and business intelligence efforts.
Please join me in welcoming Jared and Cliff to the Alliance and congratulating Steve on his promotion!
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Southern Economic Development Council Recognizes Hampton Roads Alliance for Excellence in Communications | The Southern Economic Development Council, the largest regional economic development association in North America, has recognized Hampton Roads Alliance as a top performer in the American South for communications. Annually, SEDC reviews marketing and informative content from organizations throughout the Council’s 17-state footprint to evaluate design, strategy, innovation, and impact. | Hampton Roads Alliance Shares 2022 Midyear Report | |
The Hampton Roads Alliance is working hard to ensure that Hampton Roads is known as an ideal location to start, grow, expand, or relocate your business. The 2022 Midyear report showcases our success for the year thus far, but we’re just getting started.
| U.S Department of Commerce Invests $11 Million to Boost Blue Economy and Clean Energy Workforce Training Program in Hampton Roads Region Through American Rescue Plan Good Jobs Challenge | U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration is awarding an $11 million American Rescue Plan Good Jobs Challenge grant to Hampton Roads Workforce Council, in Norfolk, Virginia, for the Hampton Roads Workforce Training System for Good Jobs, to build a regional talent pipeline focused on the blue economy, clean energy, and related cybersecurity. | Innovative, High-Tech Firm Pancopia Gets Awarded $400,000 from the Department of Energy | U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm announced that Pancopia, Inc. will receive a total of $400,000 from two of the 259 grants given by the Department of Energy for research to develop new water purification systems for aquaculture and livestock management. | Navy Contractor to Build $13 Million Training Campus in Chesapeake, Create 50 Jobs | A defense contractor from Beloit, Wisconsin, plans to spend $13 million to construct the first building in what will become a service and training center campus in Chesapeake. Officials said the move is expected to create 50 jobs. | |
Hampton Roads Alliance Announces Staff Additions and Changes | The Hampton Roads Alliance continues to evolve its mission and team to best leverage the incredible assets of this region. The Alliance is pleased to announce the hiring of two outstanding new team members: Jared Chalk as Chief Business Development Officer and Cliff Copley as Business Development Director. | Leading Lawn and Garden Manufacturer Selects Virginia for Expansion | Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that Oldcastle APG, the second largest manufacturer of lawn and garden products in North America, is renovating a vacant building in the City of Suffolk into one of the company’s most technologically advanced manufacturing operations. | Amazon Opens New Facility in Chesapeake | They were both announced at the same time by then-Gov. Ralph Northam on the eve of the COVID-19 pandemic more than two years ago — an Amazon robotics fulfillment center in Suffolk’s Northgate Commerce Park and another, smaller cross-dock fulfillment center about two miles away, but in Chesapeake. | Fast-Growing, Veteran-Owned Business in Virginia Beach to Expand With 40 New High-Paying Jobs | Vectrona, a service-disabled veteran-owned tech company in Virginia Beach, is expanding its production and bringing 40 new jobs averaging salaries of $95,000 a year. | Virginia Beach drone company serving Walmart announces $27.2 million expansion with 655 new jobs | A Virginia Beach drone services company and the sole drone partner of the world’s largest retailer announced plans to expand its headquarters and establish a research and training facility outside Petersburg, creating 655 new jobs. DroneUp, which has been working with Walmart since late 2021, announced plans to spend $27.2 million to expand in Virginia Beach and Dinwiddie County. | |
Skanska Seals Virginia Offshore Wind Port Deal | Swedish construction and development company Skanska has penned a contract with the Virginia Port Authority for the redevelopment of the Portsmouth marine terminal for use as an offshore wind staging port. The $223 million deal supports the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project which is the largest offshore wind project of its kind in the US. | Va. Beach Honors Ramon W. Breeden Jr. | Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer proclaimed Aug. 9, 2022, as Ramon W. Breeden Jr. Day, in honor of the real estate mogul. Since starting The Breeden Co. in 1961, Breeden has led his company to be a vertically integrated real estate development firm with a portfolio of more than 25,000 apartments and 2 million square feet of retail and office space. | Old Dominion University Names Kenneth B. Kahn Dean of the Strome College of Business | Old Dominion University has announced the appointment of Kenneth B. Kahn as dean for the Strome College of Business, effective Sept. 1st, 2022. He succeeds Dr. Jeff Tanner, who served as the dean of the college for eight years. | The Army Corps of Engineers’ announcement that it has awarded an $84.8 million contract for deepening and widening Norfolk Harbor is another milestone in a project that’s vitally important for the future prosperity of Hampton Roads and the commonwealth. | |
TowneBank to Acquire Farmers Bank | Suffolk-based TowneBank has agreed to acquire Windsor-headquartered Farmers Bankshares Inc., the parent company of Farmers Bank, the two companies announced. The deal is expected to close early next year. | Portsmouth Casino Unveils 7 New Restaurants, Amenities | Rivers Casino Portsmouth has unveiled seven new restaurants and amenities coming to the project. The new restaurants and amenities include a steakhouse exclusive to Portsmouth, an Asian restaurant, Starbucks, Slice Pizzeria, Crossings Cafe, Top Golf and a sports betting place. |
ODU’s ADP Collaboration Trains the Next Generation of HR Pros
| When Destiny Williams was a senior at Old Dominion University, she saw an article on the school’s website about new human capital management courses. The business and psychology major jumped in with 13 other students, taking classes on human resources topics including compensation, performance management, and benefit and salary packages. | 258 VA Companies Make This Year’s Inc. 5000 | Inc. Magazine has released its annual 5000 List — a compilation of the nation’s 5,000 fastest-growing privately held companies. 258 Virginia companies made this year’s list, 17 of which are based right here in Hampton Roads! The Alliance was particularly excited to see two of our private investors, The Breeden Company and TechArk Solutions, among those ranked. Congratulations to all the Hampton Roads and Virginia based companies on the list! | |
Business Network’s Upcoming Offshore Wind Port & Vessel Summit in Norfolk, VA | Hosted by the Business Network for Offshore Wind, the OSW Port & Vessel Summit brings together maritime industry leaders to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the nation’s offshore wind port and vessel infrastructure. Join us and industry colleagues in Norfolk, Virginia to discuss and learn about the many port and vessel business opportunities rapidly unfolding in the U.S. offshore wind energy industry. Hampton Roads Alliance is proud to be a Host Sponsor of this year’s OSW Port & Vessel Summit! | |
The East Coast's Premiere Conference for Ports, Logistics, & Trade | VMA's International Trade Symposium is the East Coast’s premier conference on ports, logistics, & trade, addressing the topics most affecting port operations and cargo logistics and drawing attendees from around the globe. Experience 3 days of industry discussion and networking events including the Maritime Mixer, International Trade Symposium, Annual Maritime Banquet with over 1,000 attendees, and the Maritime Golf Outing. The Alliance is proud to sponsor this premier conference! | |
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