Roanoke County Business Partners Newsletter |
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September 2022: Volume 22, No. 9
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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Play It Again Sports Celebrates 30 Years |
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L-R: Paul Mahoney (Roanoke County Board of Supervisors, Chair), Tony, Joan and Chick Duus (Play It Again Sports) and Jill Loope (Roanoke County) |
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Play It Again Sports was recently recognized by the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors for 30 years in business in the Roanoke Valley, with the last 20 years being in Roanoke County. Chick and Joan Duus retired from owning and operating Play It Again Sports in January 2022 but will pass on the family business to their son, Tony. Play it Again Sports has made its mark on the community and is recognized by The Roanoker magazine for "Best Sporting Goods" year after year and continues to provide high-quality sports gear for any season. They are a valuable retailer within the Reimagine 419 Plan area and help to bolster commercial activity along the corridor. Learn more about Play It Again Sports on the September episode of Roanoke County Business Partners.
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SpringHill Suites Under Construction in Hollins |
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SpringHill Suites is developing a new hotel on Plantation Road in the Hollins area of Roanoke County. This will be a 4-story, 86-room hotel that will offer additional lodging opportunities for visitors coming to Roanoke with quick access to I-81, I-581, and the Williamson Rd/Peters Creek Road corridors. This development also furthers the Hollins Center Plan, tourism and outdoor recreation growth, and attracts further investment into the community.
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Long & Foster Opens in Cave Spring |
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Credit: Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce |
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Credit: Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce |
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Long & Foster Real Estate celebrated the grand opening of their new location at Fallowater Square in Cave Spring. Long & Foster is the first tenant inside the newly redeveloped office space with National Spine & Pain Centers leasing the remaining space in the building. A grand opening celebration for the entire Fallowater Square building will be held on October 13 at 4 PM to officially welcome National Spine & Pain Centers and Long & Foster.
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Coworking Space for Entrepreneurs Opens on Williamson Road |
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Roanoke County and Roanoke City officials jointly cut the ribbon for The Williamson |
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The Greater Williamson Road Area Business Association celebrated the grand opening of their new coworking space, The Williamson, located at 5301 Williamson Road, Suite B. The Williamson offers affordable office rental space with dedicated desks, conference room space, and amenities for entrepreneurs and small business owners, as well as business mentoring to help navigate the technical aspects of operating a business. You can contact Valerie Brown (540-362-3293) to learn about available leasing opportunities and you can find out more about The Williamson on the September episode of Roanoke County Business Partners.
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Development By District - What's New in Catawba? |
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Roanoke County Economic Development sat down with Board Supervisor Marth Hooker (Catawba Magisterial District) to hear from her about the economic activity that's happened in Catawba recently. We cover topics including new businesses, community development projects, and what we can expect in the future. Check out more on the September episode of Roanoke County Business Partners.
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McAfee Knob Opens Trail Shuttle |
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Just in time for peak leaf season, Roanoke County is excited to partner with Ride Source to launch a new McAfee Knob Trailhead Shuttle Service on September 2, 2022. Transportation will be provided from the Interstate 81 Exit 140 Park and Ride to the National Park Service’s McAfee Knob Trailhead parking lot along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
Shuttle hours will vary with Daylight Savings Time with the last shuttle departing from the trailhead 15 minutes prior to service ending.
The shuttle service began on September 2, 2022 and will operate through November 27, 2022, on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day Monday.
September: 7 AM to 7 PM
October: 7 AM to 6:30 PM
November: 7 AM to 5 PM
The McAfee Knob Trailhead Shuttle service will resume March 3, 2023, and will run through November 26, 2023.
The shuttle has capacity to seat 22 riders along with two ADA accessible spots for wheelchairs. Tickets will be available to purchase online at Here and cost five dollars plus processing fees for a one-way ticket. Please note that no cash will be accepted by the drivers.
To learn more, visit Click Here to learn more about the McAfee Knob Trailhead Shuttle service
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Veteran Appreciation Day at Catawba Valley Famers Market |
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The Catawba Valley Famers Market will host their Veterans Appreciation Day on Thursday, September 8. All Veterans will receive a $5 Wooden Token to spend with the vendors, and the day will feature live music from local bluegrass musicians Steve Carper, Jr., Frank Garman, Steve Garman, and Melvin Linkous. As always, there will be fresh, locally-sourced produce, meats, and artisan crafts available at the market.
Visit the Catawba Valley Farmers Market at 4965 Catawba Creek Road on
Thursdays, 3 PM – 6:30 PM.
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Connect Your Employees to Helpful Services at United Way |
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The United Way of Roanoke Valley has developed a resource guide that helps individuals overcome education, health, and financial stability barriers. Employers often can lose employees due to these barriers, but connecting with the United Way of Roanoke Valley can help improve employee retention strategies.
Click Here to learn more.
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VTC's Microbusiness Marketing Leverage Program Grant |
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The Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) is offering a reimbursable grant program to assist small tourism-related businesses and bolster non-peak seasonal visitation. The grant application period opens on August 4, 2022, with applications on Sept. 20, 2022. Eligible applicants should be tourism-related businesses that have 20 or fewer full-time equivalent employees and can include, but are not limited to: boutique retail shops, food trucks, attractions, craft breweries, distilleries, wineries, boutique lodging and B&Bs, outfitters, and events and festivals focused on attracting visitors during low visitation times.
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Additional eligibility: Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs), and groups such as Planning District Commissions, Economic Development Authorities (EDA’s) and Main Street organizations.
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Application Requirements: A targeted and research-based marketing plan that demonstrates how applicants will use the grant money for marketing and promotions to fulfill the purposes of the grant program.
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Match Requirement: 1:1 cash or in-kind marketing match.
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Maximum Award: $5,000
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Application Period: Opens: August 4, 2022. Closes: September 20, 2022.
- Apply Here
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RoCo Parks and Rec Updates |
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Adventure Saturday
September 17, 2022 at Explore Park
The third and final Adventure Saturday of 2022 takes place on September 17th at Explore Park! Adventure Saturday features the following expanded activities: Treetop Quest, Twilight Zipline event, live music, nature activities, outdoor gear vendors and more!
Click Here to view the event schedule
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National Public Lands Day Volunteer Work Day at Explore Park
September 17, 2022 - 9 AM - 1 PM
Join us on Saturday September 17th to celebrate National Public Lands Day with a volunteer trail work day at Explore Park! Volunteers will be rerouting a section of the mountain bike trail at the park between Chestnut Ridge Road and the Blue Ridge Bike Center. Participants must register in advance; tools and lunch will be provided.
Click Here to register online
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Regional Hiring Event
Roanoke County businesses and others in the region are hiring. Speak with employers across industries eager to grow their teams at the September 14 hiring event at the Kirk Family YMCA.
Participating Employers:
HUB Corporation
Virginia Veteran's Care Center
Optical Cable Company
The Liberty Trust
Baker Roofing Company
Roanoke City Sheriff's Office
Medeco/ASSA ABLOY
Richfield Living
Americold Logistics
Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare
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Workshops & Resources
Upcoming Roanoke Regional SBDC events include:
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Economic Equity Fund
Virginia Community Capital is introducing the Economic Equity Fund, a $10 million loan fund that provides low-cost financing for small, BIPOC- and/or women-owned businesses that were disproportionately affected by the economic impact of the pandemic. Eligibility requirements include:
- The business owner is a woman and/or Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
- Located in Virginia
- In operation for 18 months or longer
Eligible businesses can contact Coleman Fox for more information:
Learn more and apply Here
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Upskill Your Employees with VWCC
Virginia Western can come to your company to provide Electrical training with NC3/Festo and NC3/Snap-On certifications.
Click Here to schedule a Needs Assessment
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Roanoke County Business Partners on RVTV |
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This month, we visit Play it Again Sports in Cave Spring to hear about their 30 years in business, where they’ve been, and where they’re going. Then we sit down with Roanoke County Board Supervisor, Martha Hooker, to learn about fun and important projects in the Catawba district she represents. Finally, we speak with Valerie Brown with the Greater Williamson Road Area Business Association to learn more about The Willaimson, a new coworking space on Williamson Road offering affordable office rentals for entrepreneurs.
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(540) 772-2069
P.O. Box 29800, Roanoke, VA 24018-0798
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