Fresh from the Source
By Barrett Baker There’s something special about the anticipation of waiting for the weekend to attend a farmer’s market. However, if you’re looking for fresh produce or locally sourced meats any other time, there’s no need to wait. Farms in the Pungo section of Virginia Beach have been offering their goods for generations and are […]
Solobo Toys: Designing With Impact
by Barrett Baker Did you know that a local toy company won a Toy of The Year (TOTY) award last year? It’s the biggest award a company can win in the industry, and Solobo Toys beat out huge company offerings such Spin Master, Moose Toys, Miss Rachel Doll, and even Hello Kitty. Best of all, […]
From Sausages to Semiconductors
by Barrett Baker When looking at the Busch Vacuum Solutions logo, one might assume that the stacked “U”s it represent the vacuum pumps and systems the company builds at their American headquarters in Virginia Beach. However, they actually symbolize sausages, since the first vacuum pump built by the company’s founders was created for a meat […]
On Track for Growth
by Barrett Baker Some very amazing things are being manufactured and assembled right here in our region. One of the companies doing just that is Plasser American in Chesapeake. They manufacture a variety of machines that keep America’s railways in good shape for both commercial freight and commuter passenger trains. The equipment they build includes […]
A Bigger Splash
By Barrett Baker When the Hampton Virginia Aquaplex officially opened its doors on October 29, 2022, it wasn’t just another ribbon-cutting, it was the start of a new era for sports tourism, community recreation, and economic growth in Hampton. The $30 million facility, the largest competitive aquatic center in Virginia, has quickly become a hub […]
It’s Out of This World
The Virginia Air & Space Science Center (VASSC), which adds a distinctive architectural profile to the heart of downtown Hampton, officially opened on April 5, 1992, as a collaborative effort between the City of Hampton and NASA Langley Research Center. What began primarily as a static museum showcasing artifacts from aviation and space history, has […]
Positioned for Growth
by Barrett Baker One of the defining characteristics of Coastal Virginia is its proximity to water, a feature that benefits each of the region’s municipalities. Portsmouth, however, holds a distinctive position within the local marine economy. The Port of Virginia, one of the region’s most significant economic drivers and a critical hub in the national […]
Electric Motor & Contracting Company
When you hear the term “small motor repair,” do you envision a one-bay-door shop located in the middle of a row of businesses in an industrial park? That may have been true for Electric Motor & Contracting Company (EMC) when the business first started with eight employees. Now, they have approximately 270 people on the […]
K9s Who Serve
Dogs are faithful companions. They will often follow their human handlers and caretakers into unsure and dangerous territory, including military deployments and hazardous missions. The following tribute aims to recognize their efforts and includes some of Coastal Virginia’s local heroes. Military K9 History Throughout history, dogs have served courageously on the battlefield. Because of their […]
TowneBank Celebrates Silver Anniversary at Annual Meeting
This spring, nearly 1,000 people gathered at the Virginia Beach Convention Center for a special 25th anniversary annual meeting of TowneBank shareholders. Executive chairman Bob Aston opened the meeting reflecting upon the bank’s humble beginnings in 1998 when a group of renowned community bankers met in a room over Aston’s garage at his home in […]