The goal of the project is to drive commercialization and deployment of conventional and innovative energy technologies on 65,000 acres of previously mined land, mostly in Wise County. The hope is that it will lead to jobs for residents and will bring tax revenue to local governments that have been affected by the downturn in the coal industry.
Economy
Doctors take cautious approach to spread of AI in medicine
Proponents of artificial intelligence technologies say they can save time — and lives — when used in health care. But with such advances come concerns about safety, accuracy and the evolving role of the human medical professional.
Southwest Virginia cidery turns to heirloom apples to tap a growing market
Tumbling Creek Cidery in Washington County has won a business innovation award and is now one of the Top 20 nominees in USA Today’s Readers Choice Awards.
Danville region works to increase lodging as casino brings in more visitors
Danville and Pittsylvania County are seeing increases in visitation, a trend that local leaders expect will continue when Caesars Virginia opens next year. Officials want to make sure that tourists have enough places to stay.
Virginia Tech-led coalition gets grant to boost modular construction in Appalachia
Modular construction, also called industrial construction, is seen as a potential solution to the problems of labor shortages and rising materials costs in the housing industry today.
Van manufacturer to lay off more than 400 in Pittsylvania County
The job cuts at Morgan Olson are scheduled to take effect Dec. 22. The company is also laying off workers at its location in Tennessee.
The largest piece of undeveloped land in Roanoke awaits its future
Evans Spring, which sits across Interstate 581 from Roanoke’s Valley View Mall, has been eyed for years by developers. The city has commissioned a master plan for the property that is expected to be complete next month.
Judges deny landowners’ emergency request to halt Mountain Valley Pipeline work
Property owners in Franklin, Montgomery and Roanoke counties had sought to stop construction activity on their land as their eminent domain challenge against the natural gas pipeline remains unresolved.
AI’s book-learning doesn’t sit well with authors
Works from multiple authors, including some based in Southwest Virginia, have been fed into artificial intelligence systems without permission. A group of writers has sued OpenAI in federal court, seeking damages of up to $150,000 per infringed work.
Advocates worry residents are being left out of conversations about where to build Virginia’s first small nuclear reactor
A study identified seven possible Southwest Virginia sites for an SMR. A local planning official says public participation will come late this winter or early spring, once a supply chain study is completed.