| Business Partners Newsletter |
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November 2017: Volume 17, No. 11
The E-newsletter of the Roanoke County Economic Development Department is designed to showcase the investments and achievements of our existing business partners. For additional information about doing business in Roanoke County, visit
our
website
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| Roanoke County Businesses Win Big at Small Business Awards |
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At the 31st Annual Small Business Awards, Custom Tool & Machine was named Small Business of the Year. Additionally, Roanoke County organizations won in the categories of Small Business Advocate, Micro-Business, Manufacturing, Legacy, and Not-for-Profit Health and Human Services.
Congratulations to all of the Roanoke County businesses nominated for the Roanoke Regional Chamber Small Business Awards. These companies were recognized for their excellence at the 31th Annual Small Business of the Year Awards dinner on October 5, 2017 at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center.
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General Inquires
P: 540-772-2069
Economic Development
5204 Bernard Drive, SW
Room 421
PO Box 29800
Roanoke, VA 24018
Administrative Assistant
Mission
To design and implement innovative economic development programs and services that leverage community assets, create wealth and prosperity, and embrace the region's
future.
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Small Business Advocate
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Annette Patterson, The Advancement Foundation
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Michael Shelton, Brambleton Area Business Association |
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| Construction/Real Estate |
Acquisition Title & Settlement Agency, Inc. |
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Micro-Business
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Lodging Technology |
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Patriot Drug & DNA Testing, Inc. |
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| Business-to-Business Services |
Innovative Insurance Group |
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| Business-to-Consumer Services |
Cave Spring Auto Body |
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Lucas Therapies
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Southern Trust Home Services |
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Support Systems, Inc. |
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Vinton/Brambleton Computer
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Virginia Interventional Pain & Spine Center
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Manufacturing
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Custom Tool & Machine |
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Legacy
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J&J Fashions
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| (50+ Years) |
Wood's Service Centers |
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Best New Business
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Dynamic Medical, LLC |
| (Operating 1-3 Years) |
Glamhouse Day Spa
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PA on Demand |
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Paw 2 Paw Pet Sitting |
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Twin Creeks Brewing Company |
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| Not-for-Profit, Arts & Culture |
Vinton War Memorial |
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| Not-for-Profit, Health & Human |
The Advancement Foundation |
| Services |
American Cancer Society
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Blue Ridge Autism & Achievement Center
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Creative Therapy Care |
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DePaul Community Resources |
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| Join the STEP International Trade Program |
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Virginia has received $255,000 in grant funding to support the Commonwealth's State Trade and Expor
t Promotion (STEP) Grant Program. The STEP program, funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, is designed to increase the number of small businesses that are exporting and to raise the value of exports for those small businesses that are currently exporting. This year's grant will be administered by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership's International Trade Division.
STATE TRADE AND EXPORT PROMOTION
The State Trade and Export Promotion Grant (STEP) is designed to increase the number of small businesses that are exporting and to increase export sales for those small businesses that are currently exporting. The program is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
By providing export assistance, we help smaller businesses generate new export revenues and create new jobs for Virginia.
PROGRAM BENEFITS:
- Funds may be granted for travel to international markets on trade missions, exhibiting at trade shows, or your own company's international sales trips.
- Reimbursement: 75% of pre-approved airfare and hotel room fees up to $3,000 per company for travel to foreign markets.
- Proof of performance (booth pictures, meeting schedules, sales meeting reports, etc.) will be required for reimbursement.
INTERESTED?
- STEP grants are awarded to eligible small businesses that meet the U.S. SBA's definition of a small business and who self-certify their eligibility.
- Applications are processed and awarded on a rolling basis until all funds are expended. Approved activities must be completed by September 28, 2018.
For more information, to determine eligibility or to request an application contact:
Roger Porter, International Trade Manager
Virginia Economic Development Partnership
220 Roanoke Boulevard, Salem, Virginia 24153
Tel 540-387-2562; Cell 540-588-6820
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| Become a Small Business Advocate with The Advancement Foundation |
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Become a Small Business Advocate!
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Join our team of over 200 business and community leaders to help spread an entrepreneurial ecosystem!
Becoming a mentor for an entrepreneur is a great way to volunteer your time and expertise. Your commitment to join this network helps ensure the success of small business development in your community.
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"Being a mentor has been a great experience for me! I like the organization of the Gauntlet process and I enjoy the enthusiasm exhibited both by the program organizers and the participants. As a mentor, I felt as though I was part of the team with my entrepreneur and it was fun seeing her progress. I look forward to participating again!"
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Mentor Training:
November 7th,
7:30am - 9:00am
Vinton War Memorial
814 E Washington Ave, Vinton, VA 24179
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Want more information? Contact Kathleen, Director of Small Business Development,
540-283-7062
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| Events: Business Tools for Growth |
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Ready for the Holidays?
Business Basics
Email Marketing Best Practices
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November 21
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Artisan Saturdays
November 4
Explore Park
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1960-70s Concert
Commemorating the Vietnam War 50th Anniversary
November 5
Salem Civic Center
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| Learn More |
Learn More |
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Intro to 3D Printing with Tinkercad
November 6
South County Library
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Flag Retirement & Veterans
Appreciation Celebration
November 9
Fire Station #3, Williamson Road
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| More Events at Roanoke County Libraries |
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Saluting Those Who Served
November 17
Vinton War Memorial
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Brambleton Avenue Businesses Prepare for Second Christmas Parade
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The Brambleton Area Business Association is starting to prepare for the 2017 Christmas Parade.
Thank you to Roanoke Valley Community Credit Union for taking Title Sponsor again.
If you would like to become a sponsor for the parade please contact BABA. All sponsorship levels also include your annual membership into BABA and a spot to participate in the parade. It's a great way to get your business in front of a lot of people.
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TJ Maxx & HomeGoods reopens at Tanglewood
The remodeled TJ Maxx & HomeGoods held a grand opening celebration on October 19, 2017. The new HomeGoods side features home decor, furniture, and kitchen items. The expansion of the store
will add 15 new jobs. At their reopening, the store donated $10,000 to the West End Center for Youth.
TJ Maxx & HomeGoods
4208 Electric Road
Roanoke, VA 24014
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The Retreat opens 252 new apartment units
Edward Rose & Sons celebrated the grand opening & ribbon cutting of their newest luxury apartment community, The Retreat Apartments. This 252 unit community is located near the intersection of Electric Road & Cove Road in North Roanoke County, Virginia.
6500 Grand Retreat Drive
Roanoke, VA 24019
540-795-6300
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Roanoke County's broadband network has been lit
The Roanoke Valley Broadband Authority and Roanoke County Board of Supervisors held a system lighting ceremony for the expanded broadband network in Roanoke County. This new infrastructure provides increased speed and connectivity to businesses and citizens.
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Downtown Vinton has a new shop: Twice Treasured
Twice Treasured hosted a ribbon cutting at their location in downtown Vinton with the Vinton Chamber of Commerce on October 24, 2017. Owner Heather Oltmanns received a certificate of appreciation from the Town of Vinton. Twice Treasured was a winner in The Gauntlet business plan competition.
301 South Pollard Street
Vinton, VA 24179
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Cave Spring Tap House adds to Roanoke County restaurant scene
Cave Spring Tap House hosted a ribbon cutting at their location on Brambleton Avenue with the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce on October 27, 2017. They feature a variety of beers and have live music on select nights.
4301 Brambleton Avenue
Roanoke, VA 24018
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Register Here
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Registered Apprenticeship and Workforce Summit
For information on workforce resources, please contact:
Morgan Romeo
Business and Outreach Coordinator
Virginia's Blue Ridge Works
(540) 562-8442
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Business leaders tour
Burton Center for Arts and Technology
The career and technical education programs available through
Roanoke County Public Schools are a huge asset to the business community. The Economic Development Department is proud to partner with our schools to show business leaders the talent and skill development that is happening at the Burton Center for Arts and Technology.
If your business would like to learn more about Roanoke County Public Schools Career and Technical Education programs and how your business can benefit from this great program contact:
Jay Brenchick
Roanoke County Economic Development
540-552-2070
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Register Her
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Cave Spring High School hosts Career Fair
Roanoke County Economic Development thanks the 70-plus businesses and organizations that provided career guidance at the Cave Spring High School Career Fair on October 17th.
Faculty and staff at Cave Spring High School put on a herculean effort for a second year in a row to plan and organize the event which helped students learn how their classroom studies have real world applications.
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Roanoke County receives VML Innovation Award for Explore Park Adventure Plan
The Virginia Municipal League (VML) has awarded Roanoke County with a 2017 Innovation Award in the Economic Development Category for the Explore Park Adventure Plan. A panel of judges felt the plan represented the best in the category by addressing challenges, using local resources efficiently and achieving measurable results. The award was accepted by Parks, Recreation, & Tourism department director Doug Blount at the VML annual conference in Williamsburg on October 2, 2017.
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Keep Virginia Beautiful and VDOT partner to grow the Adopt-a-Highway program
The Adopt-a-Highway program in Virginia has involved thousands of groups since it was first established in 1988 by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). It provides an opportunity for businesses, civic groups and even families to clean up litter and be recognized for their efforts with a sign featuring their name after two pickups have been documented. A new partnership between VDOT and Keep Virginia Beautiful will further increase the number of miles covered with regular litter cleanups and the recycling of collected waste, which will in turn translate into overall savings for the commonwealth. More information on the partnership is online.
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| Virginia International Trade Events |
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Trade Missions
Be part of one of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership's Trade Missions and enjoy private, one-on-one meetings with prospective customers and partners. These well-planned visits are business me
etings set up on your behalf, with your input, to save you time and maximize your results.
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Panama
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Mexico |
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January 29 - February 2, 2018
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March 12-16, 2018 |
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Registration Deadline: November 29, 2017
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Registration Deadline:
January 12, 2018
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Top Opportunities:
Automotive Parts, Agricultural Products, Building Products, Computers & Peripherals, Electrical Power, Hotel & Restaurant Equipment, Medical Equipment, Safety & Security Equipment, and Telecommunications Equipment
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Top Opportunities:
Transportation Infrastructure, Telecommunications, Energy, and Security and Aerospace
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Learn More |
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| Roanoke County Business Partners Show on RVTV |
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On this month's s
how,
we will visit the Registered Apprenticeship and Workforce Summit, which was coordinated by Roanoke County Economic Development, Virginia's Blue Ridge Works, and the City of Roanoke Economic Development. We will meet Trish Morrison, Division Director for the Virginia Registered Apprenticeship Program and a Burton Center student who is currently working as an apprentice. Then, we will switch gears to see the recent developments at the Retreat luxury apartments.
Consult the RVTV website for the viewing schedule or click the link above to watch the show on Youtube!
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| ATTENTION: Calling All Entrepreneurs |
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The Advancement Foundation in partnership with the economic development offices of Alleghany Highlands, Botetourt and Roanoke Counties is
seeking entrepreneurs of
all ages and experience who want to start or expand a business. We are particularly interested in entrepreneurs who will join our efforts to create a critical mass of interconnected businesses that will maximize success through outdoors/tourism within our communities.
Over the next 6 months we will meet with and select 75 businesses that will be eligible to participate in the GAUNTLET Business Development Program and Competition!
Over $250,000 will be awarded in Virginia's Largest Business Competition!
ALL right here in the Alleghany Highlands, Botetourt and Roanoke Counties.
In addition, participants have access to business training, mentors, shared resources, expertise, 0% interest loan funds, incubation programs and more!
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Stay Connected
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