| Business Partners Newsletter |
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October 2017: Volume 17, No. 10
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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| Study Shows Residential Opportunities in the 419 Area |
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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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Don't Miss This Opportunity!
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Registered Apprenticeship
and
Workforce Summit
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Are you sure your business is taking advantage of all of the workforce assistance programs available to you?
Do you want to know how approximately 2,000 employers in Virginia benefit from the Registered Apprenticeship program?
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October 20, 2017
8:00 AM - 12:45 PM
The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center
Shenandoah Room
110 Shenandoah Avenue
Roanoke, VA 24016
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The event will include keynote speakers, networking, employer panels, and a complimentary lunch!
Hear from our region's businesses that are using custom-designed programs to train and retrain their workforce in a wide variety of occupations.
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Keynote Speaker:
Ron Painter, CEO
National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB)
Mr. Ron Painter is a nationally renowned workforce expert and will speak about the importance of Registered Apprenticeship as part of your talent development strategy.
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The Summit is
FREE and lunch is provided, but you must register.
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Registration Deadline is October 13
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This event is brought to you by:
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Site Selector Wins Governor's Technology Award
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On September 6, Governor Terry McAuliffe and Secretary of Technology Karen Jackson presented the annual Governor's Technology Awards at a special ceremony at the Commonwealth of Virginia Innovative Technology Symposium (COVITS) in Richmond. Seventeen awards were presented in nine categories from state and local government and education.
The Governor presented Roanoke County with one of the seventeen awards for its Site Selector Application. Shown in the photo (L to R) are Se
cretary of Technology Karen Jackson, Joe Zielinski of Roanoke County's Department of Economic Development, and Todd Morland and David Wray of Roanoke County's Department of Communications and Information Technology.
The Governor's Technology Awards program recognizes public sector (IT) projects that have improved government service delivery and efficiency. Winners are determined by a panel of government IT experts.
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Sports Tourism is Big Business
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Over $1 million per month in NEW growth was generated in Virginia's Blue Ridge during 2016! Direct travel expenditures by visitors grew to
$813 million
over the previous year's $800 million. Tourism generated 7,878 jobs, a RECORD level of industry employment. LOCAL TAX RECEIPTS totaled nearly $28 million, an INCREASE of 3.5% over the previous year marking this as the
7th CONSECUTIVE year of RECORD growth!
"Tourism is responsible for much of the growth and opportunity in the Virginia's Blue Ridge economy. It is BIG Business that directly contributes to the strength and vitality of the economy. Tourism is the "first date" fo
r economic development. People must experience who we are and
where we are before wanting to live or open a business in Virginia's Blue Ridge," stated Lee Wilhelm, Chair of Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge.
Roanoke County has invested in Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge and this region's growth through multiple tourism projects as well as sports tourism. Roanoke County will host the CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) Cross Country Championship this month at Green Hill Park. Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge recently launched a sports initiative to focus on diverse sporting opportunities such as disc golf, quidditch, Spartan races and more. Sports Tourism is BIG business! We anticipate a greater return on investment and continued economic growth for the region.
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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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| Events: Business Tools for Growth |
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October 17
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KATZ Roadshow Carpentry Clinic
October 11
Salem Civic Center
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STEM-H Summit and Career Exploration Fair
October 13
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM; 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Virginia Western Community College
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Profiles of Honor Tour
October 28
South County Library
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Artisan Saturdays
November 4
Explore Park
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| Learn More |
Learn More |
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1960-70s Concert
Commemorating the Vietnam War 50th Anniversary
November 5
Salem Civic Center
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| Learn More |
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A Shear Choice Salon celebrates new location
Owner Katherine Mackey held an open house and ribbon cutting event for A Shear Choice Salon on September 8, 2017. The Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce organized the event for Mackey who is celebrating her first business start-up.
4521 Brambleton Avenue #106
Roanoke, VA 24018
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Kroger completes over $3 million renovation
Kroger at 4404 Brambleton Avenue held a ribbon cutting event on September 13th to celebrate its grand re-opening following a major renovation. The renovation project represented over $3.3 million to update the store's interior. Store Manager Archie Fralin accepted a Certificate of Appreciation from Roanoke County Chairman Joe McNamara.
Kroger
4404 Brambleton Avenue
Roanoke, VA 24018
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Pinnacle Financial Partners unveils new sign
Pinnacle Financial Partners held an unveiling event for their new signage and rebranding at their Starkey Road branch on September 25, 2017. Pinnacle Financial Partners acquired BNC Bank in early 2017 and is rebranding their locations in the Roanoke area.
Pinnacle Financial Partners
4467 Starkey Road
Roanoke, VA 24018
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New York Life agent hosts ribbon cutting
Lisa Van Winkler of New York Life hosted a ribbon cutting at their location on Colonnade Drive with the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce on September 29, 2017.
2965 Colonnade Drive, #220
Roanoke, VA 24018
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Double Envelope celebrates its 100th anniversary
Congratulations to Double Envelope which celebrated its 100th anniversary. Company employees, executives, and their families gathered at Walrond Park on a Saturday afternoon for food and activities for all ages.
Double Envelope opened in the Roanoke valley in 1917 making church tithing envelopes. As a part of BSC Ventures, Inc., Double Envelope is a custom envelope manufacturer and web offset printer producing envelopes, bind-in order forms, mailers, and specialty packaging for the catalog, direct mail, and statement processing industries.
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Catawba Sustainability Center installs weather station
Want to know the weather at the Catawba Sustainability Center anytime? Now you can thanks to Virginia Tech's Bio-systems Engineering Departmen
t. Through a Cooperative Faculty Research Grant awarded to Dr. Cully Hession by CSC, a weather station that streams live weather updates every 15 minutes was installed at the CSC. Check out the link below to stay up to date on what the weather is doing at the farm.
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TMEIC featured in PBS "Made in Virginia" series
Locally headquartered Toshiba Mitsubishi-Electric Industrial Systems Corporation (TMEIC) is providing Virginia residents an in-depth look into its high-tech crane automation solutions driving industry in ports around the world and right here in the Commonwealth through a newly produced television series airing on Virginia PBS stations.
"Our deepest gratitude and appreciation goes to Governor of Virginia Terry McAuliffe, Virginia Port Authority CEO John Reinhart, Virginia Exports V.P. of International Trade Paul Grossman, the Port of Virginia staff who granted the television crew incredible access," TMEIC President & CEO, Dale Guidry, said. "The entire TMEIC team, Chamber President Joyce Waugh and the skilled Made in Virginia crew worked extremely hard to create this engaging episode and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase the high-tech industrial solutions developed right here in Virginia."
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Tru by Hilton under construction in Hollins area
The Tru by Hilton next to Gander Mountain and Camping World
on Gander Way is making progress. Construction began at the beginning of June. Billed as a revolutionary new brand in the Hilton portfolio, the new Tru by Hilton project makes its entry into the Roanoke market as the first hotel in the region for this corporate brand. The 4 story hotel is expected to bring 82 new rooms to the County with an $8 million investment and more than 30 new jobs.
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Airport traffic continues to increase in 2017
August saw the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport post a 3.5% increase in passengers on a year over year basis. Year to date traffic at the airport has increased 2.8% compared to 2016. Year to date 400,700 passengers have flown via ROA.
Strong community support, additional flights, increased capacity, and improved airline operational reliability have all played roles in the continuation of passenger growth, which began in September of 2016. August 2017 saw 3.5% growth over August 2016. August 2017 was the eleventh month in the last twelve that the airport has seen growth in traffic on a year over year basis. The airport is currently on track to have its busiest year since 2012.
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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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Columbia
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Panama |
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December 4-8, 2017
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January 29 - February 2, 2018 |
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Registration Deadline:
October 6, 2017
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Registration Deadline:
November 29, 2017
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Top Opportunities:
Automotive parts and accessories, Defense and security, Education, Food processing and packaging equipment, Information and Communications Technology, Infrastructure, Oil and gas equipment and services, Renewable energy, Plastics, and Medical Equipment
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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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| Roanoke County Business on RVTV |
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On this month's s
how,
Custom Tool & Machine shares some of their recent projects and how the company has been successful over the past 25 years. We learn how the Water Authority is partnering with Roanoke County Public Schools to start an apprenticeship program. Finally, we tour the former LSC Communications building, a 280,000 sf manufacturing facility available for sale.
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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