It's WINDSday | September 27, 2023

Celebrating the Power of Wind, Clean Energy and a Green Environment

Don't be surprised to hear soon that a large international offshore wind (OSW) company will locate a major plant at Norfolk's Fairwinds Landing (FL). "It's an ideal location that has generated much interest for offshore wind manufacturing, such as submarine cables and offshore wind towers. We believe the question is 'when, not if.'" 

So said Mike Hopkins of the Miller Group to members of the Hampton Roads Association for Commercial Real Estate (HRACRE) meeting at Town Point Club. His firm is developing the 111-acre parcel, known previously as Lambert Point Docks.

"50 ships, 20,000 vessel days," in our waters just to support Dominion Energy's Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project, 27-40 miles off the coast, said Hopkins.

FL will be home to more than a large complex Dominion will build to control and monitor CVOW. "Fairwinds will also store and transport aircraft carrier components for Newport News Shipbuilding and provide intermodal logistics for commercial project cargoes." Hopkins said FL focuses on moving things that are "big, heavy and salty."

The $100-million investment is music to the ears of Sean Washington, Norfolk's Economic Development Director, who also addressed HRACRE. "Just in 2023, we are projected to see $82 million in increased pay and benefits and $210 million in enhanced economic activity thanks to offshore wind," said Washington. "And the largest percentage of jobs ahead will be for unskilled labor, a population we must serve in Norfolk and throughout Hampton Roads. I'm told we haven't seen anything like this since the Ford plant," which left the city in 2007 after an 82-year run. So stay tuned.

Want to be in the know about commercial development in our area? Join HRACRE at www.hracre.org. 

Bill Nusbaum, HRACRE President; Mike Hopkins, Fairwinds Landing; Georgie Marquez, Andre + Marquez Architects; Sean Washington, Norfolk Economic Development Director

Pierre Granger with office staff members Grace Johnson and Katheren Lenocker

We all know Jake from State Farm, but how about Pierre?

Pierre Granger is one of 19,000 State Farm agents in the US who independently serve 84 million policy owners, their 50 million cars, and assorted protected treasures (like homes and lives). “I was a search and rescue pilot in the Navy for 30 years before opening my own agency in 2014 here at the Cascades,” says Granger, who lives near the mixed-use development on Lynnhaven Parkway near Centerville Turnpike. “I bike to work at least once a week.”

That’s one of the good deeds Granger does for the environment, along with recycling paper and keeping a water jug in the office so his employees can eschew plastic bottles. “We are a Pearl Business with Lynnhaven River Now,” says Pierre, an active community volunteer who was president of the Brigadoon Civic League for two decades. “We all need to do our part to be good stewards of the planet.” No wonder he’s a new WINDSday friend.

Pierre actually met Jake last year at a State Farm national convention. “Great guy.” So is Pierre. CLICK HERE for more information.

Troy Boyd, a Cox High grad with a culinary degree from Johnson and Wales, has been in many commercial kitchens. “I have worked at Waterman’s, H2O, Bella Monte, the Cavalier Yacht Club, Kelly’s Tavern, and a bunch of great places.” He even took a break to help his father run Heritage Transmissions. “But I always wanted my own restaurant.” 

Now, and just since July 4, he has it. Driftwood Kitchen on Pacific Avenue at 37th Street is all Troy, who loves fresh oysters and fish and pays homage to his grandmother, a standout sportswoman with a marlin on the wall as evidence and her brand on the menu. “She made Sand Witches for us growing up,” says Troy, “and now we’re making them for you.” There are Mahi fingers, blackened shrimp benedict, and the dune buggy burger, as well as smoked chicken and black bean soup, pan-seared dill salmon, pickled shrimp cocktail, the “Grandpa Biscuit” (tastes like a Bit ‘o Honey candy) and more delights on extensive breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner menus. (They’re open 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.).

“I can’t wait for the offshore wind farm,” says Troy, who loves casting a line around Chesapeake Light. “It’s going to be a great fishing spot.”

In the meantime, cruise down to the oceanfront and check out Driftwood Kitchen (www.driftwoodkitchenvb.com), and tell Troy Boyd you’re happy he’s found his niche. 

I appreciate It's WINDSday's weekly stories, particularly when they involve education, because I direct Horizons Hampton Roads (www.horizonshamptonroads.org), a summer enrichment program where we challenge underserved children academically, socially, and physically with life-changing experiences. 

This past summer, our "Focus on the Future" themed field trips helped students better appreciate our natural resources and the importance of protecting them. More than 200 K-3rd graders visited the Elizabeth River Project's Learning Barge while some two dozen 8th-12th graders participated in an educational boat excursion with the James River Association, where they pulled up a net to examine a host of marine life, including a baby dusky shark, several small fish, squid and more (all of which were returned to the Bay).

Sail Nauticus hosted a three-day sailing class for our 8th graders. The students LOVED it all, and several expressed interest in marine biology as a potential career path. We're looking for opportunities for our high school students to participate in service leadership - maybe a waterway clean-up or other ways to positively impact our environment. 

WINDSdays says, "Go for it." Email Brenda with "service leadership" ideas for summer 2024 at brenda.garrett@horizonshamptonroads.org.

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