Hello, Cardinal News readers. Welcome back to Cardinal Commerce Notes, our regular feature catching you up on various recent business news items.
If you missed last week’s edition, check it out here to learn more about Appalachian Power’s new president, a Delta Star hiring event on Wednesday and new plans to research tourism across Southwest Virginia.
I’m always on the lookout for news tips. Please email me at matt@cardinalnews.org or connect with me on LinkedIn and message me there.
Virginia Credit Union’s Blacksburg branch is first since 2024 merger
Virginia Credit Union is opening its first New River Valley location with a branch at 200 N. Main St. in Blacksburg.
The Chesterfield County-based credit union said in a news release that this marks the first new branch to open since it merged with Roanoke-based Member One Federal Credit Union in August 2024.
It will be the 39th full-service location for Virginia Credit Union, which has almost 500,000 members. The Blacksburg branch held its grand opening on Monday.
The 3,700-square-foot branch has a drive-through, two walk-up ATMs and a 2,400-square-foot community room.
In the weeks to come, Virginia Credit Union aims to complete the transition of Member One branches in Roanoke, the New River Valley and Lynchburg into Virginia Credit Union branches.
“The Blacksburg community has welcomed us with open arms following our merger with Member One, and this new branch is one more way we’re demonstrating our commitment to invest in the people, businesses, and communities we now have the privilege to serve,” Virginia Credit Union President and CEO Chris Shockley said in the release.
Bobe leaving Danville government for regional foundation
Corrie Bobe, Danville’s director of economic development and tourism, will leave her post to join the Danville Regional Foundation effective May 4.
Bobe will serve as the foundation’s director of economic development and collaboration, according to a news release from the city.
[Disclosure: The Danville Regional Foundation is one of our donors, but donors have no say in news decisions; see our policy.]
Bobe, a Danville native, joined the city’s economic development department in 2009 and worked her way up to being named director in 2020.
Her accomplishments there include leading the creation of the city’s tourism program; expanding support for small, women- and minority-owned businesses; and advancing historic revitalization efforts, according to the release.
“What drew me to this new role is the important work ahead — ensuring that the investments coming into our region create real opportunities for every community and every family across Danville, Pittsylvania County, and Caswell County,” Bobe said in the release.
Established in 2005, the nonprofit Danville Regional Foundation makes “long-term investments to improve education, economic vitality, community wellness, financial stability and civic capacity” for residents of the three localities.
GO Virginia grant to expand Randolph College engineering
The GO Virginia board has approved approximately $686,000 in state funding to expand the mechanical engineering program at Randolph College.
The private college in Lynchburg will “implement a comprehensive training program to support regional company needs, emphasizing mechanical design, materials behavior, automation, and applied manufacturing systems,” according to a GO Virginia news release.
The school will develop a mechanical and materials engineering lab and a workforce training and applied manufacturing lab, and it will add new courses and research modules.
The program was developed with the nuclear services firm BWX Technologies, Southern Air, Central Virginia Community College, Jamerson-Lewis Construction and local government partners, according to the release.
“This grant will help kickstart an engineering program geared to address the student who desires a smaller school setting,” GO Virginia Region 2 council chair Paul Denham said in the release. “This is unique in the engineering world, and we hope this project will help educate a group of students who will thrive in this environment.”
In addition to the state money, the project will leverage approximately $667,0000 in non-state funding, including matching from the college and support from industry, school districts, Central Virginia Community College and the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance.
GO Virginia — “GO” stands for “growth and opportunity” — is a collaboration among private businesses, higher education and government entities to encourage workforce development across the commonwealth.
Griffith: USDA loan will help revive Henry County sawmill
A $7.6 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to Mississippi-based Twain Capital will help the company acquire and restart a Henry County sawmill, according to U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith.
Details about Twain Capital’s plans remain unclear. The company did not return a message seeking comment.
British Columbia-based Teal-Jones Group bought the Pine Products sawmill in 2018 with plans to add jobs. The mill idled operations in 2024.
Griffith said the loan guarantee was made possible by the USDA’s Timber Production Expansion Guaranteed Loan Program.
“The USDA is relying on communities like those in Virginia’s Ninth District to support expanded timber production in the United States,” Griffith said in a statement.
That’s a wrap for this week. Do you know of a new business expanding or relocating in your town? Excited about a restaurant opening up soon? Maybe you’ve got an update on a story we’ve reported before. Please send me your tips and suggestions: matt@cardinalnews.org orconnect with me on LinkedIn.
