Your December Gateway Connector

December 2025

Update from the President & CEO:

Friends of the Gateway Region,

As we close out 2025, it’s clear that Virginia’s Gateway Region has had a milestone year. Month after month, our communities delivered wins that strengthen our economy and expand opportunity. One of the biggest came this fall, when the LEGO Group broke ground on its $360 million regional distribution center in Prince George County – a powerful signal that major global companies see our region as a place to invest and grow.

This year also marked the expansion of VGR’s footprint, as three new localities joined our regional partnership. More voices and more collaboration mean a stronger, more competitive region – and we’re already feeling the momentum.

We now look ahead to early 2026 with tremendous optimism. In January, the temporary Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia will open in Petersburg, bringing jobs, new revenue and an immediate boost to local businesses while setting the stage for the permanent facility scheduled to open in 2027.

Thank you to our partners, investors and communities for your commitment to building a vibrant Gateway Region. The progress is real, and the best is yet to come.

Keith Boswell

President & CEO

Call Keith Boswell at: +1 (804) 732-8971 or Click for Email

LEGO Group Breaks Ground in Prince George County

November’s groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of a $360+ million investment by the LEGO Group in a 2-million-square-foot regional distribution center – the sixth in its global network. The project will create over 300 new jobs and is a key part of LEGO’s U.S. expansion strategy, supporting a manufacturing facility under way in nearby Chesterfield County. Welcome to Prince George County, LEGO!

Investors Make the Mission Possible

Across Virginia’s Gateway Region, investor support fuels the work of attracting and growing jobs, strengthening communities and expanding opportunity. Recently, Will Clements of The Bank of Southside Virginia and VGR's Keith Boswell sat down for a conversation at Hopewell’s Brew & Blossom to reflect on partnership, shared impact and the power of speaking with one regional voice.

Dominion Energy Opens Doors on High Voltage Lab in Dinwiddie County

Dominion Energy opened its new High Voltage Lab, a state-of-the-art facility designed to stress test equipment, software and grid technologies under real-world conditions. This investment at the Locks Campus strengthens system reliability and cybersecurity while reducing reliance on third-party labs — ultimately helping manage costs for customers. The project will create 150 new high-skill engineering and technical jobs and expands Dominion’s commitment to training, workforce development and partnerships with universities and educational institutions.

RBC Takes Innovative Approach to Prepare Casino Workforce

The Richard Bland College Dealer Institute is training roughly 200 participants for upcoming gaming and hospitality jobs tied to Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia. The 12-week program begins with teaching blackjack first and will expand to roulette and baccarat soon thereafter. The curriculum blends customer service, game integrity, industry regulations, and responsible gaming — preparing trainees for the real demands of a fast-growing field.

Watch the video

Live! Casino and Hotel Launches Recruitment Center

VGR attended the ribbon cutting of the Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia Recruitment Center in Petersburg, to serve the temporary casino opening in early 2026. This center marks the beginning of a significant economic investment that will bring new entertainment, hospitality and tourism opportunities to the Gateway Region.

Prince George Metals Manufacturer Brings Home First Place Medal

Service Center Metals took first place in the Primary Metal Industries category at the 2025 Virginia Manufacturing Cup, an annual competition to find the "Coolest Thing Made in Virginia." SCM’s standout Lightning Rod is a testament to the innovation and manufacturing excellence thriving in Prince George County. Winners were announced at the Virginia Manufacturing Gala held in early November.

Region Continues to Build Collaboration with VEDP

VGR had a productive visit to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) as part of our ongoing quarterly briefing series:

· Brian Moore provided an update on progress and strategic sites in Petersburg.

· Natalie Slate shared current activity and growth potential in Greensville County.

In other exciting news, VEDP has announced a new partnership with Handshake, the nation’s largest career network for Gen Z, to expand access to high-quality internships through InternshipsVA. Leveraging Handshake’s extensive reach across Virginia’s leading colleges and universities, the collaboration will help connect students and recent graduates with meaningful, work-based learning opportunities and prepare them for careers in the Commonwealth. By combining Handshake’s data-driven insights with VEDP’s statewide talent initiatives, Virginia continues to advance its goal of being a top state for talent and a national leader in workforce development.

More News Headlines from November

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