Success Stories

LINDA HUTSON GREEN

Vice president of economic development, Institute for Advanced Learning and Research; Executive director, Southern Virginia Regional Alliance, DanvilleLinda Green 21 scaled 1 386x386

Throughout her career, Linda Hutson Green has been the only woman on her work team more than once, but it hasn’t prevented her from making an impact. 

Today, she’s the first woman to hold the role of vice president of economic development for the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, in addition to directing and overseeing the strategic vision of the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance. The complementary work at both organizations, which are focused on economic and workforce development and manufacturing, she says, creates a collaborative approach to marketing the region’s resources. 

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Halifax County tourism programs get boost from state

Halifax County tourism program will receive more than $86,000 in grants in an effort to spur increased visitation.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced more than $3.2 million in matching grant and sponsorship funds on Monday to kick off National Travel & Tourism Week.

The money is part of the part of the Virginia Tourism Corporation’s Regional Marketing, Marketing Leverage, and VA250 Marketing Leverage programs.

A total of 236 tourism programs in the state received grants.

Locally, the Community Arts Center Foundation — doing business as The Prizery — will get $15,000 for its Dance and Dine Series.

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Job growth continues in Southside Virginia

Employers in Mecklenburg, Brunswick and Halifax counties added another 378 jobs in March, a sign the labor market remains strong in the three counties that make up the Southside Planning District.

Payrolls grew by 117 jobs in Mecklenburg County, 207 in Halifax County and 54 in Brunswick County in March, according to the latest numbers released by the Virginia Employment Commission on May 3.

This is the third consecutive month of job growth for all three counties.

The labor force participation rate also rose in the three counties during that same period as 285 active workers joined the civilian labor force — 98 in Mecklenburg, 159 in Halifax and 28 in Brunswick County.

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51 high school students recognized in Career Tech Academy completion ceremony

Career Tech Academy 1Fifty-one high school juniors and seniors from Halifax, Charlotte and Mecklenburg counties successfully completed the 2022-23 Career Tech Academy at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center.

The students were recognized in a Monday morning ceremony at The Prizery.

CTA Administrator Stephanie Robinson called the students’ accomplishments “amazing.”

“Fifty-one students. Thirty-eight career studies certificates. Two hundred and seventy-five-plus industry credentials earned by these students,” Robinson shared with the audience at the completion ceremony.

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Getting creative: GO TEC team forms at HCMS

Six Halifax County Middle School students won two awards in the GO TEC VEX IQ Robotics Competition held at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in Danville April 19.

In their first year participating in the GO TEC program, things are looking bright for the HCMS team’s future.

Rather than having students compete against other schools, the competition format involved each of the 12 teams from different schools working together to score points.

William Griffith, the middle school’s GO TEC instructor, said there were benefits for the students to work together during the competition. “They were able to collaborate and get ideas from one another and plan strategies for matches. They learned more about collaboration and teamwork with individuals they were less familiar with.

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South Boston hotel project receives another boost

Randolph HotelThe John Randolph Hotel redevelopment project received another boost this week when Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced a round of Industrial Revitalization Fund grants.

The South Boston Industrial Development Authority will receive $3 million for the revitalization project with the historic John Randolph Hotel, located in the central business district of the town of South Boston.

The plan will morph the vacant structure into a modern boutique hotel featuring 30 rooms, a restaurant and a rooftop bar, according to the governor’s release Tuesday.

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IDA is honored for one of Virginia's top economic projects

Halifax County Industrial Development Authority’s announcement of a titanium metal powder operation was ranked among Virginia’s top economic development projects last year. VEDA Award

The Virginia Economic Developers Association listed the IperionX project in fourth place when the group gathered last month for its winter meeting in Richmond.

Halifax County had not landed a new manufacturing project of significant scope in 25 years before IperionX, the association reported in a news release.

Locating in the IDA’s shell building in Halifax County’s Southern Virginia Technology Park, it marks an $82 million investment in the first phase of the project and plans to bring 108 new jobs to the region.

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  1. Investing in their future: Hitachi Energy maintenance mechanic training program completers recognized
  2. Rogers Heating & Cooling owner named Top 40 Under 40
  3. ABB's submersible transformer inspection robot wins major industry award
  4. SVHEC gets $500,000 for IT Academy
  5. Students recognized at Halifax County School Board Meeting
  6. SVHEC receives literacy grant