News & Press

There’s a lot happening in Portsmouth and our momentum keeps growing! Read the latest news & press releases from Portsmouth Economic Development – we cover project announcements, business openings, development news, and more.

Media inquiry? Contact us at 757-393-8804 or porteco@portsmouthva.gov.

Latest News

Press Release

Portsmouth Mayor focuses on growing business in State of the City Address

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) – Portsmouth Mayor Shannon Glover delivered the State of the City address Friday at Rivers Casino, highlighting its success and others in the city, along with future plans to bring new businesses, grow offshore wind and...

Press Release

Governor Youngkin Announces $1.5 Million in Grants Through the Port Host Community Revitalization Fund

RICHMOND, VA –  Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced $1.5 million in Port Host Communities Revitalization Fund awards for the cities of Newport News, Norfolk and Portsmouth in advance of his international trade mission to Taiwan, Japan and...

Press Release

Rivers Casino Portsmouth Continues Commitment to Environmental Sustainability Ahead of Earth Day

PORTSMOUTH, Va.—April 18, 2023— Rivers Casino Portsmouth was recently awarded the 2023 Two Green Globes® certification for New Construction from the Green Building Initiative (GBI) — an international nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing...

Press Release

Woda Delivers Affordable Housing Project in Portsmouth, Virginia, as Country Grapples With Rising Housing Costs

A new mixed-use affordable housing development named in honor of late Mayor James Holley III opened its doors in downtown Portsmouth, Virginia, this past summer, helping to meet the critical need for affordable housing at a time when the country...

Press Release

Rivers Casino Portsmouth generates more than $24.5 million in first full month

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — It's been just under two months since Rivers Casino Portsmouth opened its doors on Jan. 23 to much fanfare. According to a new report from the Virginia Lottery, it appears people's enthusiasm for the city's new casino did not...

Press Release

RIVERS CASINO PORTSMOUTH JOINS ANNUAL CITY-WIDE CLEANUP ON MARCH 18

Team Members from Rivers Casino are rolling up their sleeves and helping tidy up surrounding neighborhoods on March 18.    As part of the Rivers Gives community outreach program, volunteers from the casino will join forces with the Wilson...

Press Release

Portsmouth, VA Sails Into 2023 With Economic Projects Geared for Future Growth

Enviably situated on the banks of the Elizabeth River in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, the City of Portsmouth is a thriving place with something to offer everyone with a robust lineup of economic development projects in the pipeline as we...

Press Release

2 apartment complexes, 1 at former Kroger, planned along High Street in Portsmouth

Two planned developments, linked by their access to High Street in Portsmouth, could bring as many as 282 new apartments to the city, including 50 affordable units. Apartments coming to former Kroger location Virginia Beach developer Ripley...

Press Release

Rivers Casino Portsmouth Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

WHAT: Rivers Casino Portsmouth will host its grand opening celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.— making history as the Commonwealth of Virginia’s first full-service permanent casino. The event will kick...