J. Elias O'Neal

DAILY PRESS, Oct. 10, 2014: The promise of international growth in emerging energy markets, and the need to upgrade existing mining equipment, has officials at Liebherr’s Newport News plant prepping for new growth that could include a third production line.

Cort Reiser, Liebherr executive vice president of manufacturing, talks about future growth at its Newport News facility. Photo by Daily Press

Cort Reiser, Liebherr executive vice president of manufacturing, said Thursday that expansion and renovations plans at the 77-acre facility are about halfway complete — costing the firm about $24.9 million.

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DAILY PRESS, Nov. 29, 2014: A large-scale mixed-use development under construction in York County could deliver another 1,500 to 2,000 residents over the next three years to a section of the greater Peninsula that’s experiencing a boon in new retail and housing.

A site map of the Commonwealth Green development currently underway in York County. Graphic by Daily Press

Contractors are feverishly clearing land and carving out infrastructure to make way for the $66 million Commonwealth Green development, a 52-acre mixed-use project wedged between Victory Boulevard and Route 17 in the southwestern quadrant of York County that abuts Kiln Creek.

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DAILY PRESS, Feb. 11, 2015: City Center Boulevard, which recently opened to traffic in the heart of Newport News, connects Jefferson Avenue and Warwick Boulevard — two of the heaviest-traveled corridors in the city because of its burgeoning retail districts.

Click here to read my story about how vacant land along the City Center Boulevard corridor is already grabbing the attention of developers.

DAILY PRESS, Jan. 8, 2015:  Call it the double economic special.

Canon Virginia is headquartered in Newport News, Virginia.

That’s what some city and state officials are calling Wednesday afternoon’s Canon announcement after Yoroku “Joe” Adachi, Canon chairman and CEO, said not only is the company increasing its initial investment at its Newport News facility to $100 million, the city also remains a “high candidate” for the relocation of its coveted global research and development center.

EXTRA: Newport News Economic Development OKs Canon tax break. Click here to read my story about the tax break agreement.

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DAILY PRESS, May 20, 2015: Growing cargo volume appears to be improving the Port of Virginia’s bottom line and has port officials ready to reinvest more money into its facilities.

Port of Virginia

The Virginia Port Authority, which operates terminals in Portsmouth, Newport News and Norfolk, posted an operating profit of $3.9 million in April, according to a report released by the state port agency – the largest monthly profit posted so far in 2015.

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DAILY PRESS, April 8, 2015: Smithfield Foods recently entered into a $1.025 billion credit line agreement with Rabobank Nederland. Read my story about the agreement here.

DAILY PRESS, May 14, 2015: When it comes to historic battles, Yorktown can’t be matched.

This tobacco press replica along Water Street in Yorktown is at the center of brewing battle between the National Parks Service and local historians. Photo by Daily Press

There was the Battle of Yorktown that settled American independence. There was the Siege of Yorktown during the Civil War.

Now comes the Yorktown Tobacco Press Campaign, a brewing battle pitting York County history buffs against the desires of National Park Service officials who want the structure removed from the waterfront.

It appears neither side is backing down. Continue reading →

Click here to read more about Chinese investment occurring in the greater Wilmington area, and why such investment is expected to continue.

Click here to read my most recent real estate cover story about the surging price of farm land in the greater Wilmington area.

New MSA map (Credit: GWBJ)

Greater Wilmington Business Journal, Apr. 14, 2013: There was no email, no press release, not even a certified letter when Phil Norris, chairman of the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners, learned that his county would not be included in the 2020 Census counts for metro Wilmington.

“I had no idea,” Norris said after learning in mid-March the municipality would no longer fall within the Wilmington MSA. “We have some major concerns about this.”

Wilmington councilwoman Laura Padgett put the news more bluntly: “It’s like a kick in the gut,” she said during a recent city council meeting.

Love it or hate it, Brunswick County is no longer part of the Wilmington metropolitan statistical area, or MSA. Instead, federal officials have moved it over to join the Myrtle Beach MSA that covers Horry County to the south. Continue reading →