Hello Cardinal News readers. Welcome to Cardinal Commerce Notes, a new regular feature where I’ll be rounding up various business news items of interest that might not have made it into other stories.
Know a new store setting up shop? Maybe a company is relocating or expanding? Perhaps you’ve got an update on something we wrote about before. I want to hear from you. Please send tips to: matt@cardinalnews.org.
Traditional Medicinals celebrates milestone in Franklin County
Last summer, the herbal tea manufacturer Traditional Medicinals broke ground on a new production facility in Franklin County’s Summit View Business Park.
The factory will produce the California-based company’s lines of teas that incorporate a variety of herbs and plants such as chamomile, hibiscus and nettle leaf.
It’s anticipated to add 57 jobs to the region and represent a total investment of $62 million, thanks to partnerships with local companies for the design and construction process.
The project’s progress continues, and last month it celebrated a construction milestone: at sunset, the final exterior walls of the 125,000-square-foot facility were lifted into place.
Franklin County officials said it’s the county’s first tilt-up concrete building. As the name might suggest, tilt-up buildings are made by building concrete walls horizontally and then lifting them up into place with cranes.
“It was a powerful moment, not just for this project, but for our entire community,” officials said in a social media post.
Big Stone Gap artisans hub plans expansion
A hub in Big Stone Gap that opened in August with a mission of helping regional artisans reach residents and visitors is growing.
The Bus Stop Artisan Market and Workshop at 18 E. 5th St. has space for 32 vendors, and its owners, Deborah and Ryan Adams, are working toward it having 36 vendors.
The building has 1,200 square feet yet to be finished.
The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority recently gave the market a $10,000 seed capital grant. The authority regularly distributes such grants out of funds from the natural gas industry.
“We have vendors in here now that offer everything from paintings and woodworking to dog treats and everything in between,” Deborah Adams said in a news release from VCEDA.
“Our goal has been to create a retail and community space showcasing handcrafted wares from local artisans – pottery, jewelry, textiles, woodworking and home goods promoting Appalachian craftsmanship.”
For hours and other information, check out the Bus Stop Artisan Market & Workshop website or Facebook page.
Panda Express slated for Salem
Salem is getting a Panda Express restaurant this summer at 816 W. Main St.
CFT Developments recently bought the 0.93-acre property from Driven Brands, Inc. for $1.5 million with plans to open the restaurant there.
That’s according to Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer, the real estate firm that brokered the deal.
The fast-casual Asian restaurant is scheduled to be completed in early summer.
Virginia Energy director launches new gig
The former director of Virginia’s Department of Energy is starting up his own consulting firm.
Glenn Davis, who also previously served in Virginia’s House of Delegates, was appointed in 2023 by former Gov. Glenn Youngkin and was a vocal proponent of Youngkin’s “all of the above” energy strategy.
Davis left that post in January and founded Davis Energy & Infrastructure Strategy Group.
Now, he said in a social media post, he’ll be “helping states, utilities, data-center developers/operators, and advanced nuclear companies navigate grid reliability, large-scale data center load growth, advanced nuclear deployment, and complex energy and infrastructure strategy.”
Meanwhile, Virginia Energy’s chief operating officer, Michael A. Skiffington, is serving as that agency’s interim director at the request of Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s office.
Thanks for reading. Got a business news tip? Send it my way: matt@cardinalnews.org.
