Virginia's Gateway Region

01/26/2026

We’re grateful that Winter Storm Fern didn’t hit our region with the intensity it could have this weekend. These winter scenes from The Progress-Index capture the moment across ❄️

Please continue to stay safe and follow state emergency guidance as conditions change. And if you snapped a snow photo, we’d love to see it! Share in the comments and tell us where you’re checking in from!

A winter storm that affected millions of people across the country arrived in Petersburg and buried the area in snow Jan. 25.

01/23/2026

🎰 VGR tried our luck in Petersburg last night!

Our Virginia’s Gateway Region team joined a strong crowd for the opening of the temporary Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia, celebrating another big milestone for this transformative project.

From job creation to new energy downtown, last night's opening signals real momentum for and the entire Gateway Region. We’re feeling pretty lucky to be part of a region where smart investment, strong partnerships and opportunity continue to line up.

Here’s to a winning night — and an even brighter future ahead. 🍀

01/22/2026

🎰 It’s opening night in !

The temporary Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia opens tonight, marking another major milestone in a $1.4 billion development that’s already driving job creation, tourism and economic momentum in Virginia’s Gateway Region.

This opening builds on months of progress — from the recruitment center ribbon cutting to construction moving full steam ahead — and signals what’s ahead for the city, region and state.

We’re proud to see this transformative project come to life and grateful to Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies for their continued investment in our region’s future.

Check out this WTVR CBS 6 News story on what to expect: https://ow.ly/2r4M50Y1nOi

Live! Casino Virginia opens its temporary gaming facility in Petersburg on Jan. 22 at 5 p.m. The casino is located at just off Interstate 95 at 301 Wagner Road.

01/21/2026

Supporting entrepreneurs is a key part of our mission to grow a strong, competitive economy in the Gateway Region.

Startup Virginia’s Idea Factory is a free program that helps aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs build businesses grounded in customer insight – not assumptions. Through hands-on workshops and real customer conversations, participants gain clarity, confidence and a clearer path forward.

📅 Applications close Feb. 20
🔗 Learn more and apply: startupvirginia.org/idea-factory

01/15/2026

🎉 New Year, new momentum for Virginia’s Gateway Region!

In the January VGR newsletter, President & CEO Keith Boswell shares our 2026 strategic vision and highlights key milestones from 2025 — including expanded regional partnerships, major investments, workforce progress, and community collaborations that are driving growth across our region.

👉 Read the full Gateway Connector: https://ow.ly/WC8u50XWZhH

01/14/2026

Great news from this amazing company. Congrats on your leadership in delivering affordable medicines for all.

We’re ringing in the New Year with the launch of two low-cost products to help patients and payers save money: insulin glargine-yfgn (interchangeable to Lantus®) and ustekinumab-aauz (interchangeable to Stelara®). These important therapies mark our expansion into biosimilars as we continue to bring affordable therapies to market for the patients who rely on them. We’re proving that when you put patients first, you can make a real impact. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3Ypzrb9

01/13/2026

Great news in Petersburg last week!

VGR attended a Partnership for Petersburg event, where Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin unveiled federal commitments that will help sustain and expand revitalization efforts in the city.
New investments from HHS and HUD will support healthier homes, improved access to medical care, expanded nutrition resources and environmental health improvements – building on the progress already underway in Petersburg.

This moment underscores what coordinated federal, state, regional, and local partnerships can achieve – and why continued collaboration matters as Petersburg’s work moves forward.

Read more: https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-hud-commit-make-petersburg-healthy.html

01/08/2026

Why do companies choose Virginia’s Gateway Region?

📍 Location that connects
🚛 Infrastructure that moves
👷 Talent that delivers

It’s a powerful combination – and it’s driving real momentum across our region.

01/07/2026

✈️ More great news to start the year for the Gateway Region. ✈️

A $109,000 federal investment is coming to the Emporia Greensville Regional Airport, supporting construction of a new T-hangar for aircraft storage — an important upgrade that strengthens local infrastructure and supports economic growth. Congrats to City of Emporia, Virginia-Local Government and Greensville County Government.

Announced by Senator Mark Warner and U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, the funding is part of a broader investment in Virginia airports to help attract business, support workforce development and keep communities connected.

Strong infrastructure helps regions compete — and this investment helps keep VGR moving forward.

Read more: https://ow.ly/uFWy50XS5n4

Infrastructure upgrades to the tune of $620,060 are coming to three Virginia airports, according to an announcement this week.

01/06/2026

✨ New year, new opportunities for Prince George County. ✨

In late December, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced $1.2 million in GO Virginia funding to expand the Small Business Opportunity Center — strengthening support for entrepreneurs and small businesses in Prince George County, Va. and across participating regions.

Led by Virginia Commonwealth University, this expansion will increase access to technical assistance and sector-specific expertise, helping local businesses grow, compete and create jobs.

This is a strong start to the year for Prince George County’s business community.

Read more about this project, part of $6.2 million in new grants: https://ow.ly/bgyF50XS4O6

📷: VCU Small Business Opportunity Center

12/25/2025

🎄✨ From all of us at Virginia’s Gateway Region, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

We’re grateful for the partnerships, progress and momentum that made this year so special. Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a bright year ahead. 🎉

12/18/2025

With 2025 soon to be in our rear-view mirror, momentum is the word that defines this moment for Virginia’s Gateway Region as we look ahead to 2026.

As Virginia continues to earn national recognition for its business-friendly climate and workforce strength, our region is turning that momentum into real progress — from major logistics investments like LEGO’s new distribution center to energy innovation at Dominion Energy’s High Voltage Lab. This year also marked an exciting expansion as we welcomed , and , strengthening our footprint, assets and collective opportunity.

As we mark 65 years of collaboration and growth, we’re focused on what comes next: workforce development, innovation and partnerships that will carry the Gateway Region forward for decades to come.