Solarix, a solar panel manufacturer announced that it acquired Forest facility in a move that will generate 104 new green energy jobs.

Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Lisa Coons spoke to the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance on Thursday about how building a strong workforce starts with a strong education.

On Wednesday morning, more than 350 business professionals gathered at the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance.

Here's a look at some of the stories we'll be following today as they make headlines in Southwest Virginia.

The General Assembly chose to include $25 million in the state budget to fully defease all outstanding bonds at CVTC.

The Central Virginia Training Center closed its doors in 2020. The state-owned facility was the county’s largest employer with 1,600 jobs and generated $87 million in annual activity.

AMHERST COUNTY, Va. – With nearly 350 acres in Amherst County, the Central Virginia Training Center is currently vacant, but you can voice your opinion on what should happen to it through a new website. “A lot of people have great ideas, and that’s the point of this process,” said Jeremy Bryant, director of planning and zoning for Amherst County. The tool was part of the plan unveiled Oct. 1 by the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance and Central Virginia District Commission. The training center was dedicated to serving people with developmental disabilities. “Folks have been very touched by the Central Virginia Training Center in so many different ways, and I think there’s a lot of hunger for change to see that property really revitalized,” said Victoria Hanson, executive director of Amherst County Economic Development Authority.

ROANOKE, Va. Theres a virtual recruitment drive today and tomorrow. The drive runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and tomorrow. The Roanoke Higher Education Center will release the results today of an economic impact study. Get help from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. today, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. tomorrow and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday. A new partnership with Pittsylvania County enables the YMCA to use the Pittsylvania County Community Center in Chatham.

LYNCHBURG, Va. Lynchburg is making it easier to find minority-owned businesses in the area. The Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance is patterning with two Black-owned businesses, Blackwater Branding and Financial Fancy, to launch a database. Business owners who are Black, Hispanic, Asian, or of another ethnicity can fill out the online form to help build networking opportunities. (Its) a way for us to communicate on a regular basis, said Megan Lucas, CEO of the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance. After minority-owned business owners sign up, city leaders will print out the list and make it available to the public.

ROANOKE - There's a sentencing hearing for two men who killed a Henry County man last year. The Roanoke Gun Violence Task Force meets tonight for a public hearing at 7 in City Council Chambers.. The group is considering current practices to address gun violence, review alternatives that have been utilized in other communities, and make recommendations to City Council. This is the last meeting before the group's presentation to city council next month. The Salute to Manufacturing Breakfast guest speaker is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Appalachian Power, Chris Beam.

LYNCHBURG, Va. - Lynchburg leaders are pushing for transportation improvements, but there are some roadblocks in the way. The Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance held a regional summit Tuesday morning where transportation was the hot topic. How do we engage the right people in these conversations to continue to improve transportation?" said Christine Kennedy, COO of the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance. He says a lot of people in the region rely on public transportation, and there's room for improvement.

The Salem School Board will talk about school safety. The Roanoke City School Board will hold a retreat today. It's charged with making recommendations to the Commonwealth Transportation Board about improving the highway. A coat drive begins today in Central Virginia. Registration begins today at noon for the Carilion Clinic IRONMAN 70.3.