www.thecentersquare.com – By Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-06-05 14:34:00
Since January 2022, Virginia has secured over $100 billion in corporate investments, surpassing the combined totals of the previous two administrations. Governor Glenn Youngkin announced this milestone at the future site of the Kalahari Resorts in Spotsylvania County. The investments are projected to create more than 265,000 jobs and 15,000 new businesses statewide. Youngkin signed Executive Order 49, making permanent the Made in Virginia Investment Accelerator, a program streamlining development for projects investing over $250 million or creating 250+ jobs. Focused on six sectors, the initiative unites state agencies to boost economic growth, supported by tax relief and regulatory reforms.
(The Center Square) – Virginia has securedmore than$100 billion in corporate investment commitments since January 2022.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced it during a press event at the futuresite ofKalahari Resorts & Conventions in Spotsylvania County.According to thegovernor’soffice, that investment total exceeds the combined amount secured under the past two administrations. It includes more than 265,000 new jobsandover 15,000newbusiness starts across the commonwealth.
That’s about the cost of 1,200 F-35 fighter jets.
Youngkin signedExecutive Order 49at the event, makingpermanentthe Made in Virginia Investment Accelerator, a state-led program designed to streamline site development, permitting, infrastructure planning and workforce coordination for major business projects.
The program supports companies planning to invest more than $250 million or create at least 250 new jobs in Virginia. It focuses on six key sectors: energy, data centers, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, supply chain management, and commercial aerospace and defense.
“Virginiaisn’tjust competing to win. Virginia is winning,”Youngkin said in astatement.He pointed to $9 billion in tax relief, regulatory reforms, and expanded infrastructure investments as key factors behind the surge in corporate interest.
Thegovernor’soffice said the investment accelerator brings together state agencies responsible for permitting, transportation, workforce training, economic development and energy planning.It is led by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and Secretary of Commerce and Trade Juan Pablo Segura.
“We are setting business investment records because of theGovernor’sleadership and his signal to the market that Virginia wants to partner with the business community,wants toinnovate with private industry, andwants tosupport private investment as much as possible,”Segura said.
Partner agencies include Virginia Housing, Virginia Energy, the Virginia Department of Health, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and the Virginia Department of Transportation.
The Kalahari project, which hosted the executive order signing, is expected to become the largest indoor water park on the East Coast and is one of thestate’smajor tourism and hospitality investments.
Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.
Political Bias Rating: Center-Right
This article primarily reports on Governor Glenn Youngkin’s announcement of significant corporate investment in Virginia under his administration, highlighting economic achievements and policy initiatives such as tax relief and regulatory reform. The tone is generally positive toward Youngkin’s leadership and economic agenda, using language that underscores business success and governmental efficiency without critical analysis or opposing viewpoints. While it does not explicitly advocate a partisan position, the framing aligns with a pro-business, market-friendly perspective typical of center-right reporting. The piece focuses on conveying the administration’s accomplishments without broader ideological commentary, maintaining a mostly factual, though favorable, presentation.
Following two major water crises in six months, Richmond Mayor Danny Avula has launched two work groups to improve water system resilience and public trust. One group will focus on financial strategy and infrastructure upgrades, while the other will coordinate with regional water systems. Recent boil water advisories and operational failures, including those in January and May, exposed vulnerabilities and communication missteps. A state health report cited preventable failures and a “culture of complacency.” The city now faces state-mandated corrective actions and over $120 million in needed upgrades. Officials hope new collaborations mark a turning point for Richmond’s water system.
Facing renewed scrutiny after back-to-back water crises, Richmond Mayor Danny Avula has announced the creation of two new water-focused work groups aimed at building a more resilient regional system and restoring public trust.
“These two work groups mark a critical step forward in building a stronger, more resilient water system for the region,” Avula said in a statement. “Just today, we saw that spirit of collaboration in action as Richmond provided additional water to our neighboring locality during their planned maintenance. That’s what partnership looks like: clear communication, shared problem-solving, and mutual support.”
The announcement comes just weeks after a second major boil water advisory in less than six months rattled large portions of the city and surrounding counties. Though other central Virginia localities including Hopewell and Petersburg most recently experienced water-related emergencies, Richmond’s earlier water crises — and its recovery and resilience efforts — remain a top focus of public concern.
In January, a cascade of failures at Richmond’s aging Water Treatment Plant left thousands without safe water for nearly a week. And in late May, another operational issue forced the city to issue an emergency alert affecting dozens of neighborhoods across Richmond’s Northside, Southside and central districts.
Of the newly founded groups, one will focus internally on scenario planning and long-term financial strategy. Led by Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald and Public Utilities Director Scott Morris, the team will evaluate capital investment needs, debt management strategies and ratepayer impacts. They will consult with external financial experts, including Davenport Financial Advisors and Raftelis.
The second group will be a regional collaboration, including water utility leaders and technical experts from Chesterfield, Hanover, and Henrico counties, whose water systems connect to Richmond’s. That team will coordinate operations, capital improvement plans, rate models, and joint funding requests. It will also formalize a routine communication structure to keep all partners updated.
“These work groups and real-time collaborations are exactly what it takes to meet the challenges of modern infrastructure,” Morris said. “The ability to assist Henrico in this way underscores our capacity, but more importantly, it shows how jurisdictional coordination helps us all move forward with confidence.”
But the mayor’s announcement lands in the shadow of Richmond’s troubled recent track record.
On May 27, just as the system was recovering from early-morning repairs, filters at the water plant re-clogged after running at full capacity. Pressure dropped in the Ginter Park tank, and by mid-morning, officials had issued a boil water advisory that later expanded across the city, covering areas from Carytown to Manchester and VCU to Ancarrow’s Landing.
Avula acknowledged that the city’s messaging to residents changed throughout the day, with the first public notice assuring the public that drinking water was unaffected, followed by a citywide boil alert a few hours later. He said the delay was due to the city’s efforts to first alert neighboring localities and reduce demand before informing the broader public.
The city had reached out to Chesterfield and Henrico counties to “try to figure out, ‘hey, what can we do to reduce demand on the system?’” Avula said at the time. “That allowed us to have more time to recover the facility and then make a plan of action to move forward.”
The flip-flop in messaging only added to public frustration following the January disaster, which state health officials have called “completely avoidable.”
In an April report, the Virginia Department of Health blamed the January failure on “a long chain of preventable failures,” including untested backup batteries, broken valves, and a failure to follow emergency protocols. The water plant flooded after a winter storm knocked out power and backup systems failed.
“The crisis could have been prevented with better operational decisions,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. Karen Shelton upon the report’s release. “Our goal now is to ensure corrective actions are taken swiftly and effectively, so Richmond-area families can trust their water supply.”
In response to the January incident, the city received a second formal violation notice and is now under state mandate to develop a corrective action plan. An independent engineering probe identified more than $63 million in urgent infrastructure upgrades on top of the $60 million already proposed in Richmond’s capital plan.
Those include automating emergency systems, modernizing electrical infrastructure, and redesigning critical flood-prone elements of the treatment plant.
While Avula praised the Department of Public Utilities’ recent work, the VDH report described a “culture of complacency” where makeshift fixes became standard and systemic risks went unaddressed.
Now, as summer heats up, the mayor hopes that formalizing collaboration and financial planning will signal a turning point. Both newly created work groups have already begun meeting to chart next steps, the city said in a statement.
YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.
SUPPORT
Virginia Mercury is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Virginia Mercury maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Samantha Willis for questions: info@virginiamercury.com.
Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.
Political Bias Rating: Centrist
This content primarily presents a factual and balanced report on Richmond’s recent water crises, focusing on government responses, infrastructure challenges, and public health implications. It includes official statements from the mayor and city officials, critiques from state health authorities, and details about corrective measures without overtly partisan language or editorializing. The article’s tone is neutral, emphasizing accountability and practical solutions rather than ideological perspectives, which positions it in the political center.
www.youtube.com – 13News Now – 2025-07-19 17:35:34
SUMMARY: Once declared dead nearly a century ago, the Elizabeth River is showing signs of revival thanks to ongoing restoration efforts. Long known as one of the most polluted waterways on the East Coast, it’s now a vital part of Norfolk’s waterfront and economy. Efforts led by the Elizabeth River Project, including rain gardens, tree plantings, oysters, and infiltration trenches, have improved water quality. The river now holds an overall C grade, with tributaries like the Lafayette Branch showing marked improvement. In areas like Muddy Point, fish species have increased from 4 to 26. Experts say continued work is still needed.
For decades, the Elizabeth River was seen as one of the most polluted waterways on the East Coast. But it’s seen as the heart of Norfolk’s waterfront. Work to restore, maintain, and improve the river includes partnerships across city, state, and federal lines — all contributing to a healthier, more resilient river system. The latest State of the River Report gives the river an overall C grade, but key areas like the Lafayette branch are now scoring higher.
www.youtube.com – NBC4 Washington – 2025-07-20 01:09:34
SUMMARY: Hundreds of children gathered at Rock Creek Tennis Center in Northwest D.C. for Kids Day, the kickoff event for the Mubadala Citi DC Open. Sponsored by Children’s National Hospital, the event offers kids from across the DMV a chance to learn tennis through drills, stretching, and one-on-one coaching with trainers and volunteers, including hospital doctors. Families traveled from as far as New Jersey to participate. Tournament chairman called it his favorite moment, with 500 kids filling the courts. Big-name players like Venus Williams, Naomi Osaka, and Frances Tiafoe will compete in the tournament, which runs through July 27.
Ahead of the D.C. Citi Open, hundreds of children got to test their tennis skills at Kids Day, which is sponsored by Children’s National Hospital. News4’s Jessica Albert reports.
_______
NBC4 Washington / WRC-TV is the No. 1 broadcast television station and the home of the most-watched local news in Washington, D.C. The station leads the market in providing timely and breaking news and information in text, video and graphics across more than 15 platforms including NBCWashington.com, the NBC4 app, NBC4 streaming news channel, newsletters, and social media.
