Category: 3. Business

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Freeze Watch

A Freeze Watch is in effect from Tuesday night through Wednesday morning. Conditions are expected late Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning. Low temperatures are expected to range from 27 to 32 degrees, with wind chills dropping into the 20s. Residents are encouraged to take steps to protect people, pets, plants and pipes.

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Published on December 30, 2025

Beginning Thursday, Feb. 5, we will welcome a variety of food trucks from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Read on to find out how to apply to be a vendor!

This program is brought to you by Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area (GCRA) at Cornerstone (2153 SE Hawthorne Rd.)

Located on SE Hawthorne Road, the Cornerstone Campus is home to the GTEC Center and Merrieux, and within walking distance of the newly opened UF Health Urgent Care Clinic.

Fees and Payments

There will be no fees to participate.

Space Allocation

• Vendors will be assigned a designated space by staff.
• The GCRA will have tables, chairs and tents available. Vendors may provide their own tents, tables and chairs if desired. 

Setup and Teardown

• Vendors must be set up 30 minutes before the start time and be fully set up and ready to operate by start time.
• If a vendor will be late or needs to cancel, they must notify staff at least two hours prior to the event start time.
• Teardown may not begin until the agreed upon end time or sell out. Vendors must ensure their area is clean and free of debris before leaving.

Permits and Licenses

• Vendors are required to obtain and display any necessary permits or licenses relevant to their business. This includes health permits for food vendors.
• Proof of permits must be provided to the staff before the event.
• If vendor needs assistance with acquiring the necessary permits or licenses, please contact staff.

 

Product Guidelines

• All products sold must be of quality and follow all legal guidelines. The sale of counterfeit, offensive or prohibited items is strictly forbidden.

Conduct and Professionalism

• Vendors must conduct themselves professionally at all times. This includes courteous interactions with customers, fellow vendors and staff.
• Maintaining a clean and attractive booth space is essential. Vendors are responsible for removing their own trash. Trash cans will be provided by staff.

 

Sanitation

• Vendors handling food must follow all health department guidelines for sanitation.
• Vendors are required to keep their areas clean, with all waste properly disposed of in designated bins.

Food Safety

• Food vendors must comply with all local health department regulations, including maintaining proper food storage temperatures and hygiene standards.
• Only approved and properly labeled food items are permitted for sale.

Emergency Procedures

• In the event of an emergency, please follow the instructions of market staff and emergency personnel. An emergency meeting point will be clearly marked.

Inclement Weather

• The GCRA will proceed rain or shine unless conditions are deemed unsafe. In case of severe weather, notifications will be sent out via email and posted on-site.
• Vendors should be prepared for weather changes and bring appropriate coverings for their booths.

 

Eco-Friendly Practices

• Vendors must follow Gainesville Zero Waste Ordinances. 
• Vendors are encouraged to minimize the use of single-use plastics and opt for sustainable packaging options.
• Please help us reduce waste by providing recycling options at your booth.

Waste Management

• All vendors must dispose of their waste in the designated bins.
• Please ensure your area is left clean and free of litter at the end of the event.

Noise Control

• Vendors must keep noise levels, such as music or generators, at a moderate level to ensure a pleasant environment for all attendees.
• Music is acceptable at a reasonable level and must be family-friendly. 

Insurance

• Vendors are required to carry liability insurance and must provide proof of coverage prior to the event. This ensures protection for both the vendor and the GCRA.

Agreements

• Upon agreement of participation, vendor agrees to abide by these guidelines and any additional rules set forth by the City of Gainesville and the GCRA. Failure to comply may result in removal from the event.

Financial Reporting

• Vendors are responsible for their own sales tax reporting and compliance with local, state, and federal tax laws. The GCRA is not liable for any financial or legal issues arising from vendor sales.

Post-Event Feedback

• Vendors are encouraged to fill out the post-event survey after each of the selected days.

Feedback Form

Vendor Application

Quebecor and TVA Group today announced that the operations of TVA Films, previously part of TVA Group Inc., will be centralized in a new business unit, Quebecor Films, effective January 1, 2026. This strategic move will enhance Quebecor’s leadership in the Québec film distribution market by uniting all its expertise within a dedicated entity for the distribution of domestic and international films. The well-established TVA Films brand, a prominent name in the industry for more than 20 years, will maintain its high profile within Quebecor Films Inc. The new entity will carry on TVA Films’ work as a leading distributor in the Québec and Canadian markets on the strength of TVA Films’ talented team and rich catalogue, which includes several anticipated upcoming releases.

 

Building on the recent success of several titles in TVA Films’ catalogue, including Ma belle-mère est une sorcière, the second-highest grossing Québec film of 2025, and Nos Belles-Sœurs, the top-grossing Canadian film of 2024, Quebecor Films will be able to consolidate its efforts and maximize its film development, exploitation and distribution activities in this new environment,  said Luana Ann Church, Vice President, Development, Acquisitions & Distribution of Quebecor. This new structure will also support our mission of showcasing Québec talent and bringing high-quality films, including many Québec titles, to audiences.

 

This is a related party transaction that complies with all applicable rules and requires no formal valuation or minority shareholder approval, as its fair market value and the associated consideration are deemed to be of limited materiality relative to the market capitalizations of both TVA Group and Quebecor.

RICHMOND, VA – Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced $6.2 million in Growth and Opportunity for Virginia (GO Virginia) grants for 10 projects that advance Virginia’s economic competitiveness through innovation, workforce development, and strategic industry growth. The awarded projects will leverage an additional $4 million in investment.  

“GO Virginia continues to be a catalyst for innovation and opportunity across the Commonwealth,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Virginia is stronger than ever, but we have to keep going. By investing $6.2 million in these projects, we are strengthening Virginia’s workforce, advancing key strategic industries, and keeping Virginia competitive for years to come.” 

The latest round of projects includes investments in aviation maintenance training, industrial trades expansion, talent pathways in emerging technology sectors, regional innovation ecosystems and long-term strategic planning to position regions for transformational industry opportunities. 

Several projects also leverage partnerships with school divisions, community colleges, and research universities to ensure their graduates’ skills align with emerging industry needs and Virginians can access high-quality pathways to higher-wage careers.  

“Across the Commonwealth, we see alignment in support of stronger talent pipelines, commercialization activity, and the development of competitive sites,” said Emily O’Quinn, Chair of the GO Virginia State Board. “This kind of regional collaboration is the key to new jobs and more economic opportunities.” 

Since 2022, GO Virginia has played a pivotal role in creating 1,100 new businesses, expanding another 1,100 businesses, and generating 25,000 jobs by fostering innovation, workforce development, and industry growth across 131 localities across the Commonwealth. GO Virginia has supported 147 projects, awarding $72 million in state funding and leveraging $61 million in matching non-state investments. In addition to creating new jobs and businesses, these investments have retained 12,500 jobs and launched 125 new programs that have trained 45,000 Virginians. 

To learn more about how GO Virginia continues to fuel economic progress across the Commonwealth, visit dhcd.virginia.gov/gova. 

Implementation Grant Applications

Industrial Skills Trades Regional Expansion | $1,346,786 

Region 3: Counties of Amelia, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Halifax, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Patrick, Pittsylvania and Prince Edward, City of Danville 

This regional initiative expands industrial skills trades training across Southern Virginia through partnership with Danville Community College (DCC) and Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC). The project will deliver industry-aligned programs in electrical, carpentry, HVAC, plumbing, and industrial maintenance. 

Small Business Opportunity Center Expansion | $1,225,000 

Regions 4 (lead), 5, 6, and 7: Counties of Arlington, Charles City, Chesterfield, Fairfax, Henrico, Prince George, Stafford; Cities of Alexandria, Fredericksburg, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Richmond  

This project expands VCU’s Small Business Opportunity Center into Regions 5, 6, and 7 through partnerships with universities and entrepreneur support organizations across Central Virginia, Hampton Roads, Fredericksburg, and Northern Virginia. By increasing access to technical assistance and sector-specific expertise, the initiative aims to strengthen the growth of traded-sector startups and small businesses throughout the Commonwealth. 

Expanding the GO TEC Career Pathways in Region 9 | $1,016,000 

Region 9: Albemarle County, Greene County, and City of Charlottesville 

Albemarle County Public Schools will establish the first GO TEC Career Connection Labs in Region 9 by installing new labs in all middle schools in Albemarle County, Greene County, and the City of Charlottesville. The labs will introduce students to high-demand skills through modules in IT coding and networking, automation and robotics, precision machining, electrical and mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, metrology, biotechnology, and welding.  

HOMEWorks Initiative | $748,425 

Region 1: Counties of Grayson, Russell, Smyth and Washington

The HOMEWorks Initiative will establish a regional workforce training center dedicated to skilled trades education for modular construction and advanced manufacturing. Led by the Appalachian Highlands Housing Partnership, the project will partner with three Southwest Virginia community colleges to create a training pathway where students earn industry-recognized credentials not currently offered in Southwest Virginia. The training facility enables students to transition directly from classroom learning into on-site apprenticeships, internships and hands-on production experience. 

Project RISE | $648,000 

Region 2: Counties of Botetourt, Montgomery, Pulaski and Roanoke; City of Roanoke 

Project RISE will strengthen the startup ecosystem across the Roanoke and New River Valley. The initiative includes technical commercialization assistance to move innovations to market, a dedicated mentorship hub, and access to on-call experts and advanced AI, digital and cloud-based tools for entrepreneurs. Through a coordinated regional effort, Project RISE will support early-stage and pre-seed companies, helping build a stronger pipeline of scalable startups across the region. 

Danville Aviation Training Facility | $92,000 

Region 3: Counties of Halifax, Mecklenburg, and Pittsylvania; City of Danville 

The Danville Aviation Training Facility will support the aviation training center at the Danville Regional Airport and advance aviation maintenance education in Southern Virginia. Through partnerships with Danville Community College, Averett University and Danville City Public Schools, the project aims to expand the region’s pipeline for skilled aviation technicians and build on growing activity at the Danville Regional Airport. 

Planning, Feasibility, and Small-Scale Pilot Grant Applications

Blue Ridge Innovation Corridor Vision 2050 | $250,000 

Regions 3 (Lead) and 2: Counties of Franklin, Botetourt, Montgomery, Henry, and Pittsylvania; Cities of Martinsville and Danville 

The Blue Ridge Innovation Corridor Vision 2050 project will develop a regional strategy to guide long-term economic growth across Regions 2 and 3. Led by Region 3, the study will produce strategic recommendations across seven focus areas, including advanced manufacturing, life sciences and biotechnology, IT and emerging technology, infrastructure investment priorities, a funding roadmap and a governance model to support implementation. Vision 2050 is intended to position the corridor for coordinated investment, competitiveness, and cluster scale-up over the next 25 years. 

VersAbility TECH Center | $100,000 

Region 5: Cities of Hampton and Newport News 

With support from Hampton and Newport News, the project will help address persistent workforce shortages by creating new training pathways that connect an underrepresented talent pool to employers across the region. The planning effort will provide the foundation for a future implementation project and long-term workforce pipeline development. 

Northern Neck Sites Inventory | $100,000 

Region 6: Counties of Lancaster and Westmoreland; Towns of Colonial Beach and Montross 

Westmoreland County, in partnership with Lancaster County and the Towns of Colonial Beach and Montross, will create a coordinated inventory and prioritization strategy for 20 developable industrial and commercial sites in the Northern Neck. The project will produce a plan for future site-related investment. 

VTTI Workforce Pathways Plan for ACE Technology in Region 2 | $99,999 

Region 2: Counties of Pulaski, Montgomery, and Roanoke 

This project will develop a strategic plan to grow the Region 2 workforce for Automated–Connected–Electrified (ACE) technology jobs, with a focus on electric and automated vehicles. The resulting plan will guide talent pipeline development to meet rising demand from employers in the EV and AV sectors. 

NOVA TechWorks | $99,993 

Region 7: Counties of Arlington and Fairfax; Cities of Alexandria and Fairfax 

NOVA TechWorks will reskill and upskill the region’s tech workforce for high-demand roles in clusters tied to federal contracting and emerging technologies. The project responds to shifting hiring practices, workforce disruption caused by federal spending changes, and the rise of skills-based hiring. NOVA TechWorks will also support the region’s growing life sciences activity by advancing training in AI-enabled digital health through coordinated employer partnership models and integrated support services. 

Working in Sync with Employers (WISE) | $99,556 

Region 7: Counties of Prince William, Loudoun, and Fairfax 

The George Washington University will develop the Working in Sync with Employers (WISE) initiative to strengthen Northern Virginia’s life and health sciences cluster by embedding AI competencies into biomedical data, digital health and clinical research training programs. WISE will pilot an employer-informed workforce model by building programs and strategies that connect students and job seekers with internships and job opportunities in high-growth sectors.  

Vector Space Robotics Program Feasibility Study | $96,700 

Region 2: County of Bedford; City of Lynchburg

This project will assess the feasibility of expanding robotics education in the Lynchburg area through a comprehensive planning study. Findings from the study will help determine the regional demand for robotics training and chart a path that strengthens the region’s technical talent pipeline.

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) purchased a net $9.7 billion from the domestic foreign exchange market between June 2024 and September 2025, according to data released by the central bank on Tuesday.

The central bank’s data shows that the central bank remained a consistent buyer of dollars during the period.

Net FX intervention includes outright and swap purchases of foreign exchange minus outright and swap sales conducted with banks in the interbank market.

A monthly breakdown shows that the SBP purchased $573 million in June 2024, followed by $722 million in July, $569 million in August and $946 million in September.

Buying accelerated in the following months, with purchases of $1.03 billion in October and $1.15 billion in November 2024, before easing to $536 million in December.

In 2025, the central bank bought $154 million in January, $223 million in February, $860 million in March and $473 million in April.

Purchases stood at $522 million in May and $502 million in June, followed by $189 million in July and $257 million in August. The largest monthly purchase in the later part of the period was recorded in September 2025 at $1.02 billion.

Despite heavy intervention, SBP’s foreign exchange reserves showed mixed movement due to various inflows and outflows, according to data compiled by Arif Habib Limited.

A strong rebound was seen in May and June 2025, when reserves jumped by a combined $4.23 billion to reach $14.5 billion. After some moderation in July, August and September, SBP reserves stood at $14.2 billion at the end of September 2025. Reserves rose to $10.74 billion in September 2024 after a sharp monthly increase of $1.3 billion and continued to climb to $12.03 billion by November 2024. However, reserves fell to $10.28 billion by April 2025.

As of December 19, 2025, SBP’s foreign exchange reserves have risen to $15.9 billion.

The winter season is upon us, and with it come chilly gusts of wind and the long-awaited winter holidays. Pakistan’s airports are entering one of their busiest periods of the year.

From early-morning departures to late-night arrivals, travellers are navigating tight schedules, heavy luggage, and the hassle of finding the right bag at the conveyor belt, while also braving the unpredictable traffic situation, which can go from bad to worse in a matter of minutes, making the journey to and from the airport just as critical and high-stakes as the flight itself.

During the last few years, it has been noticed how airport mobility has become a major concern for urban commuters. This has resulted in a rise in missed flights due to traffic delays, cancellations by traditional transport at the very last minute, and uncertainty around arrival times. All of these factors have made travellers increasingly cautious, and understandably so.

That is why more passengers are turning to ride-hailing platforms, as they offer predictable travel times, transparent pricing, and the option of real-time tracking. This is where platforms like Yango step in because they are increasingly being considered by travellers who want more control over timing, pricing, and predictability during airport commutes.

Industry observers note that winter travel is attached to its own set of challenges. Some of these include foggy mornings, reduced visibility, and seasonal congestion. These often end up disrupting road traffic, while international and domestic flights continue to operate on strict schedules.

For passengers travelling with families or carrying heavy luggage, it’s not just about the cost anymore. Reliability takes first place in such situations in order to avoid any unpleasant situations. For many travellers navigating these winter challenges, ride-hailing services such as Yango Ride offer a more reliable alternative during time-sensitive airport journeys.

Yango Ride has positioned itself as a dependable option for getting to and from the airport during busy travel spells. The platform has seen increased adoption during peak travel periods, particularly among passengers prioritising punctuality and ease. With features such as real-time navigation, trained and professional partner drivers, and clear in-app ride details, the platform aims to minimize any chances of uncertainty for passengers commuting to or from the airport.

Travellers have the ease of tracking their rides, accurately estimating arrival times, and avoiding the added stress of finding parking or coordinating multiple modes of transport.

Another key factor behind the growing preference for ride-hailing platforms is the combination of luggage convenience and predictability. Services like Yango Ride, which focus on route efficiency and time visibility, are increasingly shaping how travellers approach airport transportation.

App-based rides allow passengers to travel comfortably with baggage, without having to worry about space limitations or last-minute negotiations, which, dare we say, is an important factor during peak holiday travel when families are expected to carry extra luggage. At the same time, travellers value reliable ETAs and efficient routing, especially for flights at odd hours, making predictable mobility a need of the hour.

As Pakistan’s travel volumes continue to rise, airport mobility is no longer just about reaching a destination, but also about ensuring peace of mind before and after a journey. With winter travel at its peak, reliable ride-hailing services like Yango Ride are fast becoming an essential part of the airport experience, helping travellers move with confidence in an otherwise hectic season.