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Port 460 Logistics Center Breaks Ground in Suffolk, Virginia

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Multi-phase, five-building project will deliver 2.4-million-square-feet of industrial space in first phase

SUFFOLK, Va., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Rockefeller Group and Matan Companies broke ground on the first phase of Port 460 Logistics Center in Suffolk, Va., a highly anticipated industrial real estate development that is expected to serve U.S. and international businesses seeking direct access to the expanded Port of Virginia.

In a joint venture partnership with Mitsubishi Estate New York, Chuo Nittochi and Taisei USA LLC, the master-planned logistics park will deliver 2.4 million square feet of industrial space across five buildings in phase one, delivering the first two buildings and the development’s infrastructure by next year. A second phase totaling 2.6 million square feet will follow after the completion of phase one.

“Today marks the start of an exciting chapter at Port 460,” said JP Matan, Director of Leasing, Matan Companies. “We are breaking ground on what will become one of the most impactful industrial developments in the country and we could not have done it without the support and vision from so many experts in development as well as state and local government officials. We look forward to delivering a premier asset in phase one, which will set the stage for what’s to come.”

“This world-class development represents a true spirit of partnership between the public and private sector, bringing together highly experienced real estate investors and developers, the Port of Virginia and the Commonwealth,” said Hilary Allard Goldfarb, Senior Managing Director and head of Development for Rockefeller Group throughout the Mid-Atlantic. “The opportunities at Port 460 can meet so many different requirements, ranging from advanced manufacturing, life sciences and logistics, to port operations and warehousing, further positioning the city of Suffolk and the southeastern part of Virginia as a hub for logistics and supply chain investment as well as domestic manufacturing and innovation.”

In June, Governor Glenn Youngkin directed the Commonwealth Transportation Board to allocate $30.1 million to the Route 460 Road Improvement Program from the state’s Transportation Partnership Opportunity Fund – an investment in roadway and infrastructure enhancements that will serve the Port of Virginia and enhance access to the site. Additionally, in August, he announced a $3.5 million grant via the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program (VBRSP) program which awarded $126 million to 23 sites across the Commonwealth. The program identified Port 460 as a worthy infrastructure project to build operations-ready sites for employers and manufacturers ready to expand in the Commonwealth.

“Port 460 will create 2,600 jobs during construction with the potential to support over 9,000 jobs when fully built out,” stated Governor Youngkin. “The economic impact of this historic project will underscore our commitment to top-notch infrastructure for Virginians and all who come here to do business. Once completed, Port 460 will offer direct access to the Port of Virginia and 75 percent of the U.S. population. This is just the beginning of Virginia being at the forefront of the global economy, and I am confident the positive ripple effect will be felt far beyond the Commonwealth.”

The Port of Virginia ranks in the top three most efficient ports in the country. Port 460 is located within a 100-mile radius of 3.7 million customers, and a 200-mile radius of 18.6 million customers, including affluent residents of counties with some of the highest average median incomes in the U.S.

“The Port of Virginia is thrilled to officially welcome Port 460 to Virginia,” said Stephen A. Edwards, CEO and Executive Director, Virginia Port Authority. “The logistics center is a sound, strategic addition to America’s most modern gateway – providing even greater capacity, capability and speed to market for the supply chain industry. Through the Gateway Investment Program, we committed $1.4 billion to fund further enhancements, including dredging and widening the canal to become the deepest, widest channel on the East Coast, Norfolk International Terminal upgrades in equipment and technology that will drive efficiencies and growth, an extensive Central Rail Yard expansion that will accommodate 455,000 additional rail TEUs, and offshore wind implementation that will enable us to become 100 percent powered by clean energy this year and net-zero by 2040.”

JLL’s Gregg Christoffersen or Kristopher Kennedy are handling leasing at Port 460. For more information about Port 460 and its progress, visit port460.com.

ABOUT ROCKEFELLER GROUP

Rockefeller Group develops, owns and operates extraordinary properties across the United States. For nearly a century, the company has delivered exceptional experiences and value creation through dedication to quality in the built environment. The company’s portfolio spans the development of industrial, office, multifamily and mixed-use projects across six geographic regions as well as significant ownership interest in and management of approximately six million square feet of world-class office space in Manhattan. Visit RockefellerGroup.com.

ABOUT MATAN COMPANIES

Matan Companies, headquartered in the Washington, D.C. suburbs, is one of the region’s premier commercial real estate services and development firms. Founded over 45 years ago on the principle of providing a comprehensive, full-service approach, the firm’s current portfolio consists of over 7 million square feet of industrial/bio-life science/office assets, 15 million square feet in the development pipeline, several active residential developments, and a separate portfolio of multifamily and manufactured housing units. The company delivers a full range of services to their real estate investors and tenants including entitlement/construction management, asset and property management, leasing, and tenant services. For additional information about the Matan Companies, please visit mataninc.com.

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SOURCE Rockefeller Group

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HKAGE Showcases Gifted Students’ Learning Journeys at InnoCarnival 2026

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Promoting “Technology for Good” Through Innovation and Creativity 

HONG KONG, Oct. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE) has been invited to participate in InnoCarnival 2026, organised by the Innovation and Technology Commission. Under the theme “Technology for Good, Innovation for All”, HKAGE will showcase the learning journeys of gifted students who have completed programmes on AI robotic arms, underwater archaeology, etc., demonstrating how technology can be harnessed to address societal needs.

Having proactively aligned its work with the education development strategies of the Education Bureau (EDB), HKAGE fully supports the EDB’s Blueprint for Digital Education in Primary and Secondary Schools, which seeks to advance the digital transformation of school education in Hong Kong. Building on its Talent Development Model, HKAGE systematically develops programmes, provides diversified learning experiences and engages in cross-sector collaborations to nurture gifted talents equipped with innovative capabilities, technological literacy, and a strong sense of social responsibility. At the exhibition this year, HKAGE will present how students applied knowledge gained through gifted education programmes and learning experiences in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, environmental science, underwater archaeology and sustainable development to design socially conscious solutions. These experiences reflect the students’ ability to serve society with knowledge and respond creatively to diverse challenges.

Among the highlights is the learning journey of students in the “Artificial Intelligence Course: Creative AI Robotic Arm for Inclusion”. After acquiring foundational knowledge in artificial intelligence, robotics and sensor applications, students designed, tested and refined intelligent robotic arm prototypes through real-time data analysis and algorithms. With the aim of improving the quality of life for the elderly and caregivers, students explored various application scenarios for intelligent robotic arms. Another showcase features the “Environmental Science Course: Bat Echoes – Voices of the Night”. Through acoustic monitoring, the exhibition demonstrates how students recorded bat voices and analysed related activity data and characteristics. The programme enabled students to gain a deeper understanding of local biodiversity and explore practical approaches to ecological conservation.

The HKAGE exhibition booth also features an interactive photo-taking device, allowing visitors to take photos with different gifted programme themes and share the joy of learning.

On the first day of the exhibition, a “Build Your Own Glider Parent-Child Workshop” is specially organised by HKAGE for the visitors. Under the guidance of instructors and assisted by HKAGE students, participants will learn the basic principles of aerodynamics, including lift, gravity, thrust and drag. They will also learn to design, assemble and decorate their own gliders by using lightweight and durable materials, experiencing the joy of science and engineering.

Mr WONG Chung Po, Acting Executive Director of HKAGE, said: “The Academy is committed to providing gifted students with diversified learning platforms and encouraging them to transform knowledge into innovative practices that generate positive social impact. Participation in this exhibition not only provides students with a valuable learning experience that helps consolidate the knowledge acquired in gifted programmes, but also enables the public to better understand how gifted education nurtures a new generation of creative and socially responsible talents to jointly advance the philosophy of ‘Technology for Good’.”

InnoCarnival 2026 – The Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education

Date:

24 Oct – 1 Nov

Venue:

The Hong Kong Science Park

Booth:

C08-09

Time:

10:00 – 17:00 (Mon to Fri)

10:00 – 18:00 (Sat & Sun)

 

About the HKAGE

Established in 2008 and subvented by the Education Bureau, the HKAGE offers gifted education services actively to local primary and secondary school students to unleash their potential. It also provides gifted education-related information and support for teachers, parents, and other relevant stakeholders.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/hkage-showcases-gifted-students-learning-journeys-at-innocarnival-2026-302918606.html

SOURCE Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education

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LEAP Group Relaunches HumanView, a Growth Intelligence System Built to Explain Why Customers Behave the Way They Do

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Reimagined from the ground up, HumanView pairs statistical modeling with expert analysts to turn millions of real-world customer signals into business decisions

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LEAP Group today announced the relaunch of HumanView, its growth intelligence service. The new version has been rebuilt from the ground up and now has a dedicated home at leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

HumanView analyzes what customers say and do across social platforms, e-commerce sites, review platforms, search behavior and user-generated content, including signals from Reddit, TikTok, YouTube, Meta, Amazon and Walmart+ that general AI tools cannot always access. Because the data reflects unprompted, real-world behavior, it avoids the response bias built into surveys and focus groups.

The service works in three layers. HumanView captures signals at scale, decodes millions of records through validated statistical models such as regression, correlation and clustering, and then relies on experienced analysts to interpret the patterns. Clients receive clear, human-validated insights instead of another dashboard.

“Machines find the patterns. Humans find the point,” said Alan Gilleo, CEO at LEAP Group. “The first version of HumanView showed us how much customers reveal when nobody is asking them questions. This version is built to explain why they act the way they do, and to put those answers in front of everyone making decisions, from product to service to marketing.”

HumanView focuses on three areas:

Growth Intelligence: customer motivations and how people perceive a brand and its competitors

Market and Category Intelligence: product pain points, service friction, unmet needs and competitive gaps

Audience Intelligence: new segments, positioning opportunities and gaps in the market

Every model is designed and validated by data scientists and benchmarked before it informs a recommendation.

To learn more about HumanView, visit leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

About LEAP Group
LEAP Group is a boutique marketing agency holding company with offices in Louisville, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Chicago. Guided by the belief that brands should “Market Less. Matter More.,” LEAP gives clients access to specialized experts across its entire network. Learn more at leapgroupnetwork.com.

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SOURCE LEAP Group

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STEPHEN A. SMITH ADDRESSES WHITE HOUSE DINNER ATTENDANCE, REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO HBCUs AND PROTECTING CORPORATE INVESTMENT IN BLACK EDUCATION

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NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Stephen A. Smith, media mogul, New York Times bestselling author, and proud 1991 graduate of Winston-Salem State University, is addressing the public discussion surrounding his decision to attend a White House dinner with President Donald Trump, emphasizing his commitment to the long-term financial stability of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

For Smith, the decision was rooted in a commitment to institutions that have educated generations of Black leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and public servants.

“I will always advocate for HBCUs and the students whose futures depend on them,” Smith said. “My reason for attending the White House dinner was to discuss the challenges these institutions face in securing long-term funding and to make the case that corporate America must continue to invest in them.”

Smith acknowledged federal support through the FUTURE Act while expressing concern that political tensions surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) could discourage private companies from supporting HBCUs. He maintains that these institutions deserve sustained corporate partnerships, philanthropic contributions, and public investment.

“If we truly believe in free-market capitalism, businesses should be able to support educational institutions and charitable causes without fear of criticism or repercussions,” Smith said. “HBCUs have made extraordinary contributions to this country. They deserve sustained public and private investment.”

Ashley Christopher, Esq., Founder and CEO of the HBCU Week Foundation, recognized Smith’s advocacy and decision to engage with the administration.

“Stephen A. Smith has been a powerful advocate for HBCUs, using his platform and influence to shine a national spotlight on our institutions,” expressed Christopher, “His continued support of HBCU Week helps advance our mission of connecting students with life-changing educational opportunities, and we are proud to have him as our ambassador.”

Since Smith became an HBCU Week Ambassador in 2019, the initiative has facilitated more than 15,000 on-the-spot college acceptances and raised and awarded more than $150 million in scholarships, according to the HBCU Week Foundation.

As public discussion continues, Smith is emphasizing the importance of ensuring HBCUs have the resources and partnerships needed to educate future generations and expand opportunities for students.

CLICK HERE to watch Smith’s full response to his White House visit.

MEDIA CONTACT:

media@mrsasinc.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stephen-a-smith-addresses-white-house-dinner-attendance-reaffirms-commitment-to-hbcus-and-protecting-corporate-investment-in-black-education-302918547.html

SOURCE Straight Shooter Media

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