Company invests $6 million in new facility in Covington

AFP

Continental Waste Management LLC will invest $6 million to establish a post-industrial and post-consumer plastic recycling plant in the City of Covington. The company, which will occupy the former AET Film property, will also produce plastic/wood composite products. The project will create 100 new jobs. Virginia successfully competed against North Carolina for the project. “This…

Jim Bishop: Who has disabilities? We all do!

Jim Bishop

“Don’t tell me about your doubts, I’ve got enough doubts of my own. Tell me something you BELIEVE in,” goes a line in a sketch from the late standup comedian Dave Gardner (1926-1983). “Brother Dave” served up a strange mix of offbeat, socially-aware humor delivered in a stream-of-consciousness Southern storyteller style. I was introduced to…

Push ’em all out the nest

Chris Graham

“Big Bird needs to be pushed out of the nest.” That’s from Colorado Republican Doug Lamborn, who is leading the push in the Republican House to defund public broadcasting once and for all. Interesting tactic from the GOP: trying to talk up how the public can’t afford and doesn’t need public broadcasting in today’s media…

Webb continues push to end ethanol subsidies

AFP

Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., yesterday joined Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., to introduce legislation that would repeal the 45-cent-per gallon subsidy for corn ethanol blenders, saving the nation approximately $6 billion a year. The bill also lowers the tariff on imported ethanol to match the 45-cent-per gallon subsidy that will remain in place for non-corn, second…

Harrisonburg passes tax exemption as incentive for solar power

AFP

Harrisonburg City Council Tuesday night passed an ordinance offering a 100 percent exemption from local taxes for solar power installations, helping the city to join 13 other localities in Virginia that offer a 100 percent exemption for developers and homeowners to install solar power in their communities. The ordinance, passed by a 4-1 vote, exempts…

Robert Hurt: The future health of our economy depends on affordable energy solutions

Robert Hurt

While the recent February jobs report issued by the Department of Labor suggests some welcome signs of improvement, our national unemployment rate still remains unacceptably high and our economic recovery still has a long way to go. The House has taken several steps to remove the barriers to job growth by remaining committed to cutting…

Natural resources institute comes to Staunton

AFP

The 2001-2011 class of Virginia Natural Resources Leadership Institute will hold a three day training session in Staunton March 16-18. The meeting is the fourth of six sessions held throughout the year, at locations across the state. Focus of discussion during the session will include sustainable agriculture, nutrient management planning, community food systems, concepts of…

Local cooperatives host Beat the Blahs

AFP

Local cooperatives are offering to help you work your way out of those winter doldrums. The event is called Beat The Blahs. Friendly City Food Co-op, Park View Credit Union and the Little Grill are all cooperatives working together for the community to help beat the winter “blahs” this month. Join the event at the…

Groups criticize McDonnell on anti-union push

Chris Graham

A coalition of Virginia groups are taking issue with Gov. Bob McDonnell’s support for Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s push for legislation that would cripple public-sector employee unions in that state. The coalition sent McDonnell a letter Wednesday morning expressing solidarity with those protesting in Wisconsin and highlighting that Gov. Walker is not to be commended…