This Week In The Commonwealth

Governor Glenn Youngkin was proud to break ground on Northrop Grumman’s new facility in Waynesboro. Northrop Grumman’s expansion will bring more than 300 good-paying jobs and an investment of more than $200 million. This announcement marks the most significant job creation in the community in at least a decade and represents critical jobs in advanced manufacturing and tech!

Governor Youngkin enjoyed taking the Metro to the Potomac Yard Station after meeting with Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority leadership this week. Metro is a vital asset and Governor Youngkin is working with them on the current funding gap and they will be held accountable for delivering. Governor Youngkin also made clear that getting people back in offices, especially the federal government is key to getting the Metro back on track.

This week, First Lady of Virginia Suzanne S. Youngkin hosted the “Better Halves” luncheon at the Executive Mansion.  The event brought together Virginia legislators’ “better halves,” or special guests, for a day of adventure in the Capitol city. The First Lady shared about the event, “as is customary, the dinner table is a sacred place where we come together for the breaking of bread.  It is also a unique opportunity for all to reflect on the shared service with our spouse or significant others, whose partnership matters so greatly in life.”

Momentum continues to build behind Governor Youngkin’s unique partnership with Monumental Sports and Entertainment to bring tens of thousands of jobs, billions of dollars in economic impact, and two professional sports teams to Virginia.

This week, Nancy Howell Agee and Heywood Fralin, two prominent leaders in the Roanoke Valley, penned an op-ed for Cardinal News touting the benefits of this monumental opportunity for Southwest Virginia. In the op-ed, Agee and Fralin write that “while the proposed location for the new arena is hundreds of miles away, the impact of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will be felt right here in our region.”

Governor Youngkin enjoyed speaking with Virginia State University students this week at Virginia’s Capitol. Governor Youngkin spoke with the students about the legislative process, current issues facing the Commonwealth, and the role of governor. As Governor Youngkin said, “These bright leaders will accomplish great things!”

This Black History Month the Executive Mansion will be highlighting the work of Stanley Rayfield, nationally renowned artist and member of the Citizens’ Advisory Council on Furnishing and Interpreting the Executive Mansion. Rayfield made #homehistory in 2022 when he painted Governor Ralph Northam’s official portrait, becoming the first African American artist to paint a gubernatorial portrait in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The First Lady and Governor were honored to welcome Stanley, his family, and the subjects of his two paintings, “King of the Sea” and “Church Hat No. 32” to a reception at the Executive Mansion this past week. Visit the Executive Mansion for a tour this February to view Rayfield’s paintings alongside other pieces by talented Black artists, or head to the Mansion’s website to learn more about Stanley and the inspiration behind his work. Join us in celebrating Black stories and #homehistory this month, and all year round!