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 a solar savings program, regional airports getting federal funding and Martinsville’s new property search website.
We’ll start this week’s Notes with a couple of restaurant items:
- Parkway Brewing Downtown Roanoke has opened at 17 Campbell Ave., on the ground floor of The Bower. It marks the second location for the Salem-based brewery. An opening was set for last Friday.
- In Botetourt County, Tizzone Wood-Fired Kitchen & Wine Bar is becoming Unwined and will move to a new location at 32 Town Center St. in Daleville. The business says it will offer new menu items, an expanded wine selection and cocktails plus with more space. A grand opening was set for last Thursday.
Got a tip about a new eatery or place to shop? Please send it my way: matt@cardinalnews.org or connect with me on LinkedIn and message me there.
Share your thoughts on Dominion-NextEra proposal
State regulators are taking public comments on the proposed $67 billion merger of Florida-based NextEra Energy and Richmond-based Dominion Energy.
If federal and state regulators approve the deal, the combined company would have approximately 10 million customer accounts, own 110 gigawatts of power generation and have more than 130 gigawatts of “large-load opportunities” in its pipeline.
[Disclosure: Dominion is one of our donors, but donors have no say in news decisions; see our policy.]
Virginia’s State Corporation Commission will hold a hearing to accept the public’s comments by telephone from:
- 8:30 to 11 a.m. Nov. 5,
- 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 9, and
- 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 10.
Anyone who wants to share their thoughts during the hearing should sign up by Nov. 2 with the Virginia State Corporation Commission’s online form, referring to case PUR-2026-00112, or call the SCC at 804-371-9141. The hearing will be webcast.
The SCC will also accept written comments through its website or by mail to the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond VA 23218-2118. Comments should refer to case PUR-2026-00112.
The SCC will hold an evidentiary hearing on Nov. 17 to hear from company officials, SCC staff and other participants in the regulatory case.
Virginia launches jobs website for veterans
Virginia has launched a new website providing career help focused on veterans and military spouses.
The website, VirginiaHasJobs.com/Veterans, aims to help people find “veteran-ready” businesses across Virginia, upcoming hiring events, career coaches with veteran expertise and resources.
It comes in conjunction with “Mission to Hire: The Virginia 100 Veteran Hiring Pledge,” which aims to “secure commitments from 100 Virginia employers to hire at least one veteran, transitioning service member, or military spouse during the campaign period,” according to a news release from Virginia Works, the state’s workforce development agency.
“This initiative is part of Virginia’s broader commitment to expanding military-connected employment pipelines across high-demand sectors including technology, logistics, healthcare, and skilled trades,” according to the release.
Smith Mountain Lake visitor center remains closed
One last note to end this week’s edition: The visitor center at Smith Mountain Lake will remain closed through Aug. 10 due to “ongoing maintenance work and paving” at the visitor center and its overlook, according to Appalachian Power, the utility that owns the Smith Mountain Project hydroelectric dam that created the lake.
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 or connect with me on LinkedIn.
