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Business

  • NC lottery sets new sales record

    RALEIGH, N.C. -- An all-time record has been set by the N.C. Education Lottery for sales and contributions in fiscal 2012.

    Lottery officials reported last week that ticket sales increased for the sixth year in a row, reaching an estimated $1.59 billion for the fiscal year which ended on June 30. That’s an increase of 9.2 percent. Higher sales also produced a record for yearly transfers to education of $456.7 million.

  • Bank launches new website

  • New Sears under construction

    Construction is underway on a new building to house Sears, which is now located on East Stuart Drive in Galax. Steel beams are being erected at the new site, on U.S. 58 at Hilltop near Exit 14 on Interstate 77.

  • BB&T reports higher earnings

    Officials of BB&T reported last week that it earned a record $510 million for shareholders in the second quarter, an increase of 66 percent over the same time period last year.
    BB&T’s mortgage banking income more than doubled, to $182 million, strengthened by the wave of refinancing. Overall, revenue was up 5 percent, which the bank attributed to its acquisition of wholesale insurance brokerage Crump Group Inc.
    During the quarter, the bank charged off less for bad loans and spent less on foreclosed properties.

  • Free service for business entrepreneurs

    The Blue Ridge Crossroads Small Business Development Center offers a free service to Grayson County residents interested in starting their own business, or to improve and expand a small business.
    A Grayson County small-business counselor will provide free one-on-one business consulting for a variety of services, including: business plan preparation, financial assistance, planning, organization and startup, and ongoing assistance.
    The effort supports small business formation and growth throughout Grayson County.

  • Local VDOT workers place in truck rodeo

    Employees from the Virginia Department of Transportation who serve in the Grayson County area tested their driving skills in the annual VDOT Truck Roadeos for the Wythe Residency and 12-county district competition in Bristol.
    Local winners in Wythe Residency single-axle truck competition were: first place, Anthony Hash, Volney area headquarters; third place, Kevin Copenhaver, Wythe/Grayson sign crew. The operators drove a three-ton dump truck equipped with an 11-foot snowplow through a series of obstacle courses.

  • FSA County Committee nominations underway

    GALAX — Farmers and ranchers are urged to participate in this year’s county committee elections by nominating candidates by the Aug. 1 deadline.
    Elections will be held in Local Administative Area 3 (includes districts: Providence, Baywood, Oldtown, Woodlawn, Laurel, West Hillsville).  County committees are a vital link between the farm community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture and provide a voice to landowners, farmers, and ranchers so that their opinions and ideas can be heard.  


  • ‘Fixing the Future’ documentary to be shown July 18

    Galax joins cities and towns nationwide in screening the new documentary “Fixing the Future,” spurring action toward strengthening local economies.  
    Galax is only one of two locations in Virginia participating in this national premiere, which will be held  7-9 p.m. July 18 at Rex Theater.

  • Gov. announces new manufacturing operation in Washington County

    RICHMOND — A national leader in developing engineered solutions in steel bridges, corrugated metal structures, retaining wall systems and corrugated pipe, will invest $1.9 million to establish an operation in Washington County, Gov. Bob McDonnell announced last week.
    The company will manufacture prefabricated bridge parts, creating 32 new jobs over the next three years. Virginia successfully competed against South Carolina for the project. Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling joined business and government leaders on the governor’s behalf to announce the project.

  • Virginia announces certified farm seeker program

    A new program allows younger would-be farmers to become “certified farm seekers,” a designation that lets landowners know the participants are serious about farming.
    The Certified Farm Seeker program is designed for farmers at all levels: beginning, established or transitioning.
    Its goal is to provide individuals who want to farm with the tools needed to successfully demonstrate their farming commitment and vision to interested landowners.