On December 2 at 10 a.m., Plasser American Corporation will dedicate a 45,000 square foot, three-story office building, the first structure in a comprehensive $52.6-million expansion of its North American headquarters and manufacturing center at their location in Chesapeake’s South Norfolk community.

The balance of the project will include a new 82,000-square-foot manufacturing facility to double production capacity and purchase more equipment, including an updated industrial paint booth. Because of the growth, Plasser American will add 98 new jobs to its current workforce of just over 300 employees. (more…)

What? Celebration of the first Wind Powered Holiday Light Display in Virginia Beach
When? December 8 at 4:30 pm
Where? Behind the Super 8 by Wyndham Hotel at 1719 Atlantic Avenue
Who? Students and teachers from Virginia Beach Schools and representatives of Dominion Energy, Beach Events,
City of VA Beach and WINDSdays campaign to build a culture around clean energy, a green environment, and the power of wind

Since November 19, thousands of vehicles have been traveling down the Virginia Beach Boardwalk each evening, their occupants enjoying dozens of holiday, nautical, and adventure-themed light displays. But the 2021 BayPort Credit Union Holiday Lights at the Beach has a new twist this year. One of the displays is powered by a small wind turbine, to remind guests that by 2026, there will be nearly 180 towers, each 800 feet tall, located 27 miles off the coast, generating enough clean renewable energy for 660,000 homes on land. There will be a second wind farm off Kitty Hawk, NC, to be developed by Avangrid Renewables. (more…)

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Zero’s, started in 1967 in Virginia Beach, is today one of the largest regional food franchises in the country with 30 restaurants across the state and even one in Bristol, TN.

Company president Marty Palacios is taking Zero’s famous tuna sub and adapting it to the culture of clean energy, green environment and the power of wind that the WINDSdays campaign is promoting. “We have wrapped our sustainably caught tuna, lettuce and tomato and are calling it The WINDSday Wrap,” says Marty, who will kick off the new item with a launch event on WINDSday September 1 at 10:30am at Zero’s iconic store at 632 Virginia Beach Blvd. (17th Street) near the oceanfront. (more…)

No group likely needs more support after 16 months of a pandemic than our public school teachers and students.

That’s one of the reasons Plasser American, which builds Maintenance of Way equipment to maintain railroad tracks nationwide at its plant in South Norfolk (Chesapeake), is commencing a program called “On the Right Track.”  As Plasser American is commemorating its 60th anniversary in the United States for being on the right track in the rail industry, the company is also embracing how important it is to be on the right track in our communities.

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Spartanburg, SC (05/24/21) – Towne Insurance Agency announced the acquisition of George Johnson Insurance Agency, a full-service, independent agency in Spartanburg, SC.

“George Johnson Insurance was founded on a philosophy of offering personal, professional, and dedicated service,” said J. Grier Bomar, president of George Johnson Insurance. “We are eager to continue that proud tradition as part of the Towne Insurance organization and look forward to providing our clients with an even greater roster of services and resources.”

“We are thrilled to welcome George Johnson Insurance to the Towne family. Our combined access to the top insurance providers in the nation will bring an unparalleled level of service and expertise to a greater number of individuals, families, and businesses in the Spartanburg community,” said Jim Clement, Towne Insurance president of North and South Carolina. (more…)

What? Keep It Beachy Clean Earth Day Community Clean-Up
When? Thursday April 22, 4-6pm
Where? Eight locations between 31st Street and Rudee Inlet, Virginia Beach
Who? Sponsored by Virginia Beach Hotel Association, Virginia Beach Restaurant Association, Eco Maniac Company, Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, Atlantic Avenue Association, ViBe Creative District and Lynnhaven River NOW

300-400 volunteers will meet at the oceanfront on Earth Day to pick up trash along the boardwalk, Atlantic Avenue, on the beach, at Rudee Loop and Inlet, Norfolk Avenue and throughout the ViBe Creative District. Organizers typically conduct a clean-up in the fall, but they moved it to the spring to spruce up the area for visitors. “We’re Open and want to show our visitors from inside and outside the region that we’re ready for the summer season, and we hope that all guests will then help us Keep It Beachy Clean!” says Christina Trapani, Director of the Keep It Beachy Clean Program. (more…)

NORFOLK, VA (March 25, 2021) – Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads (Habitat SHR) is recruiting teams for its 2nd Annual Women Build Week May 10-14 from 8am-5pm daily at 303 South Broad Street in Suffolk. The project recruits and empowers women of all walks of life to come together to work alongside experienced Habitat volunteers in the construction of a home for a qualified, low-income family. (more…)

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What? South Norfolk employer Plasser American to break ground on major expansion of its North American headquarters and assembly facility
When? Wednesday March 3, 2021 at 1 p.m.
Who? Chesapeake Mayor Rick West and Economic Development Director Steven Wright; Plasser American President Thomas Blechinger
Where? Although Plasser’s address is on Myers Road, media heading north on Atlantic Avenue should turn left prior to Myers Road onto Narrow Street and park in a designated area near a tent where the event will take place

Plasser American, which designs and manufactures large, construction machines used to maintain and repair railroad tracks across the country and for export, will officially launch an expansion of its operation in the South Norfolk area of Chesapeake on Wednesday March 3 at 1 p.m. (more…)

Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads (Habitat SHR) is proud to announce that Langley Federal Credit Union has been selected as its 2020 Dream Builder of the Year.

The Dream Builder Award is presented annually to the individual or organization which best exemplifies the commitment of supporting the mission to build affordable homes that strengthen families and communities in South Hampton Roads. (more…)