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.
Economy
Covering the economic issues facing Southwest and Southside Virginia.
Posted inEconomy
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.
Posted inEconomy
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.
Posted inEconomy
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.
Posted inEconomy
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.
Posted inEconomy
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.
Posted inEconomy
NRV-led consortium earns federal grant for advanced manufacturing strategy
Several other Virginia proposals did not make the cut in the federal Tech Hubs program, including two aimed at growing the nuclear industry in Lynchburg and Southwest Virginia.
Posted inEconomy
7 sites were studied as potential locations for a small modular reactor in Southwest Virginia. Here’s a closer look.
A year ago, the governor said he wants the region to host an SMR. A study identified sites across four counties; many are on former coal mine lands, and several are close to population centers.
Posted inEconomy
Mountain Valley Pipeline developer again increases cost estimate, delays start date
Equitrans Midstream says workforce shortages, difficult terrain and other challenges mean the 303-mile natural gas pipeline that runs through part of Southwest Virginia will have a higher price tag and won’t come online until next year.
Posted inEconomy
The Launch Place started out helping Southside entrepreneurs. Now its reach is international.
The Danville-based angel investor holds two annual pitch competitions and invests in regional tech startups. It’s been called one of the three most active angel investors in the Southeast United States.
