Business Partners Newsletter
July 2016: Volume 16, No. 7
 
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 .
Welcome Jessica Fintel 

 

Roanoke County's New Economic Development Specialist   

Jessica Fintel

Economic Development Specialist

 
Jessica joins the Roanoke County Department of Economic Development as an economic development specialist. Her primary responsibilities include execution of marketing and communications efforts and working with existing businesses.
 
 
Prior to joining to the Roanoke County Economic Development team, Ms. Fintel served as marketing manager for the Economic Development Authority of Henrico County, Virginia. While serving Henrico County, Jessica assisted with business attraction efforts and managed the execution of the overall marketing strategy, including Salesforce CRM system implementation, website redesign, and marketing campaigns. Jessica started her career in the private sector, working as an associate brand and product manager for a start-up medical device company in Roanoke County.
 
 
A native of Virginia, Jessica grew up on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. She graduated from the College of William and Mary with a Bachelor of Arts. She earned a MS in Commerce, Marketing and Management, from the University of Virginia McIntire School of Commerce.


County Strategic Plan is Ready For Review!
 
Final Opportunity
for Public Comment will be at the Board meeting August 9th
 
 
 
Four community meetings were held in June where citizens reviewed, discussed and commented on the draft document. Copies of the Draft Community Strategic Plan are available at the County Libraries or you can...
 


Strategic Plan in the News.....

Why Roanoke County's strategic plan is a big deal

Roanoke County Links
General Inquires
 
P: 540-772-2069
F: 540-772-2030


Address
 
Economic Development
5204 Bernard Drive, SW
Room 421
PO Box 29800
Roanoke, VA 24018


Contacts
 
Jill Loope
Director

Jay Brenchick
Manager

Joe Zielinski
Specialist

 

Jessica Fintel

Specialist
 
Glenna Ratcliffe
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.
 

 
A good move for more than just your business.
 
Business Workshops In July
SBDC - Business Basics Workshop - July 12
 
Are you considering starting a new business? Then this is the class for you! Business Basics is an introduction to owning your own business. Topics covered include deciding on a legal entity structure, basic accounting and tax issues, steps you need to take for permits and licensing, steps to writing a business plan and basics of marketing and market research.
 
  More Information                          Registration
 		  
Edge Introductory Workshop - July 14  

Do you want to accelerate the growth of your business?

Many smaller companies need help to sustain and grow their businesses in today's challenging economy, but don't have sufficient in-house resources to focus on growth while running their day to day operations.

Enterprise Development Growth Engine (EDGE) is a new program designed for small manufacturing, engineering and technology companies in Virginia. The program will provide meaningful assistance to generate sustainable positive financial impact to your business.
  
  More Information                         Registration 
  
 		  
SBDC - Marketing Basics - July 19
 
This course describes the fundamentals of the most important aspect of any small business: marketing. At the end of this course, you will be able to create a comprehensive marketing plan for your small business that encompasses a creative plan, a positioning plan, and a media marketing calendar--the essentials of any good marketing strategy. Topics covered by this course include: What is marketing? Conducting market research. Analyzing the market environment. Selecting your target markets. Placing products & services. Website Do's and Don'ts. Social Media Marketing. Creating a marketing plan and calendar. Determining ROI.
  
  More Information                         Registration 
 
   
 
US Postal Service - Export Workshop - July 29

In support of the "Made in Rural America Initiative", the United States Postal Service will offer local workshops to help encourage export growth and success in rural America. The workshops are designed to serve small to medium-sized organizations, these sessions will strengthen awareness of how the USPS can serve as an important resource to support firms that may be interested in entering the export arena for the first time or for businesses interested in expanding their past export success.
 
US Post Office
419 Rutherford Avenue
Roanoke, VA 
(Near the Berglund Civic Center)
 
Contact: Bob Maroney
 
304-561-1052             [email protected]
 
Virginia Trade Mission to Southern Africa


 

September 5-9, 2016
 
Registration Deadline: July 8, 2016

ACCELERATE YOUR EXPORT SALES!

Be a part of the VEDP's Trade Mission to Southern Africa and enjoy private, one-on-one meetings with prospective customers and partners. These well-planned visits are business meetings set up on your behalf, with your input, to save you time and maximize your results.

COUNTRIES:

Participating companies may select up to two countries from the following list: South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland, Namibia, Lesotho, Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania .

TOP OPPORTUNITIES FOR VIRGINIA EXPORTERS IN SOUTH AFRICA include:
  • Aviation
  • Automotive Components
  • Electricity Power Generation Systems
  • Franchising
  • Information Technology
  • Mining Equipment
  • Medical Equipment and Healthcare Services
  • Renewable Energy
  • Pollution Control Equipment
  • Telecommunications
  • Transportation, Infrastructure and Civil Construction
TRADE MISSION DETAILS:

Dates: September 5-9, 2016
Fee: $3500* *Does not include airfare, lodging and meals.
Deadline to Register: July 8, 2016

The objective for the trade mission is to arrange and conduct quality meetings between you and potential local sales partners in Southern Africa. Our ultimate goal is that these meetings will help you to generate new sales for your company to customers in South Africa and surrounding markets. In addition, we want to be sure you have sufficient information on doing business in this market and that you have a clear understanding of the Southern African markets.

  • VEDP research and/or our South African consultant, Zurcom International, can turn around research within a short period to estimate the market potential for your company.
     
  • At this time, we are arranging conference calls for interested participants with our in-country partner, Zurcom International . There is no charge or commitment required for this introductory call.
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL:
"The in-country consultant was worth her weight in rhino horn, which is $90K per kg. She provided us with contact support and expert knowledge of the commercial, business, political and cultural aspects of South Africa. We are proceeding into negotiations with two potential partners." - Trade Mission to Southern Africa, 2014
"This event had a positive impact on my company. Everything was well organized and the consultants were very helpful." - Trade Mission to Southern Africa, 2014
"The trade mission opened new channels of distribution and resulted in more business with existing customers." - Trade Mission to Southern Africa, 2014
 
 
Roger Porter, International Trade Manager
Virginia Economic Development Partnership
220 Roanoke Boulevard, Salem, Virginia 24153
Tel  540-387-2562
Fax  540-375-3809

Businesses Large & Small are getting this INCENTIVE! Is yours?
Get Paid to be Green! 

   
Energy Saving Programs for Appalachian Power Business Customers


The Appalachian Power Commercial and Industrial Program helps non-residential customers implement energy efficiency projects through financial incentives to offset project costs.

Energy-efficient projects including lighting and variable frequency drives are eligible for the rebates.
Business customers implement energy efficiency projects through financial incentives to offset project costs.


Todd Ewald, Outreach Specialist II
Appalachian Power Company's C&I Programs
540-397-8633

Neil Wilkin - Optical Cable Corporation Honored for Philanthropy

Dr. Angela M. Garcia Falconetti, Virginia Western VP for Institutional Advancement and Educational Foundation Director; Dr. Robert H. Sandel, Virginia Western President; Dr. Glenn DuBois, Virginina Community College System Chancellor; and Neil Wilkin Jr., President and CEO of Optical Cable Corporation.


For the past several years, Optical Cable Corporation (OCC) has been investing in Virginia Western Community College Access Program for students from Roanoke County. In 2014, OCC established the Optical Cable Corporation Endowed Scholarship to continue its support in perpetuity. Because of this commitment OCC has earned the 2016 Chancellor's Award for Leadership in Philanthropy. Roanoke Times Article

OCC is a leading manufacturer of the highest quality tight-buffer fiber optic cables and data communication connectivity solutions designed for enterprise markets and customized solutions for specialty uses and harsh environments. Today, OCC offers an integrated suite of quality, warranted network cabling solutions designed to provide outstanding performance characteristics. Learn More about OCC.
 
Uniform Country at Tanglewood Mall - Ribbon Cutting
(Left to Right) Jay Brenchick, Roanoke County Economic Development Manager, presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Dale, Jeanne, Tyler and Ayden Morrison at their ribbon cutting on June 29th. 

 
Dale and Jeanne Morrison decided to take their online uniform sales business and create a store for customers who like to shop in person, so they just opened their first store in Tanglewood Mall. Uniform Country carries a large selection of medical scrubs & uniforms for women & men by Cherokee, Dickies, HeartSoul, Code Happy & more.
 
The ribbon cutting was conducted by the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, and a Certificate of Appreciation was presented by the Roanoke County Economic Development Department.
Roanoke County welcomes Uniform Country into our business community.

Uniform Country - Tanglewood Mall
4326 Electric Rd, Roanoke, VA 24018
540-427-6315
www.uniformcountry.com

Kroger at Tanglewood Grand Re-Opening 
Tammy Tedesco, Store Manager (left) accepts a Certificate of Appreciation from Economic Development Director, Jill Loope.

Kroger at Tanglwood Mall has completed their $3,000,000 renovation in order to better serve their customers. They held their grand re-opening on June 8th. As a special thanks for their customers, Kroger gave gift bags to the first 200 customers at their re-opening.
 
The Roanoke County Economic Development Department thanks Kroger for their additional $3,000,000 investment in their store at Tanglewood Mall and congratulates them for their Grand Re-Opening.
 

Save The Dates - October 19, 20, 21
Certified Aging in Place Certification Workshop
(CAPS)
I

With this workshop you will get the technical, business management and customer service skills essential to competing in the fastest growing segment of the residential remodeling market.

 Home builders from throughout the east coast will be coming to take advantage of this certification program, so why not take advantage of this opportunity while it is right in your own back yard? 

Professional Development Certificate Starting in August

 
Community Walk - Williamson Road - July 14

I
The Williamson Road Area Business Association (WRABA) in conjunction with the Roanoke County Administration, Police, Community Development and General Services Departments, as well as the Virginia Department of Transportation will be continuing a series of walks on Williamson Road in Roanoke County. 
 
The first County walk will take place on Thursday, July 14th, at 4:00 p.m. (rain date July 28th at 4:00 p.m.) from the City/County Line at 5411 Williamson Road to Brookside Plaza and back. Our next walks will also be in sections and are scheduled for:
 
  • Thursday August 18, 2016 walking from Peters Creek Road to TBD
  • Thursday September 22, 2016 walking from TBD to Shadwell
Past walks have facilitated improvements, repairs and conversations regarding possible improvements along Williamson Road.

Contact Wendy Jones at [email protected]  or call 540-362-3293.
 
County Economic Development 

In the News....
 
Texas Roadhouse Opens
 
 
 
Macado's in Vinton will add patio & parking  
 		  
Comcast to expand fiber to some County businesses
 		  
 
Roanoke County Business On RVTV


ROANOKE COUNTY  
BUSINESS PARTNERS
 


 
This program airs from the first week of April until the last week of June in 2016.
This episode of the Roanoke County Business Partners television show highlights opportunities to participate in community strategic planning, as well as opportunities for employment, investment, and business assistance.
 
Go to yesroanoke.com to view the latest Business Partners online video.

Roanoke County Business Partners airs every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. and every Friday at 6:00 p.m. on RVTV Channel 3.

Questions? Please visit http://yesroanoke.org/ or e-mail [email protected].
P.O. Box 29800, Roanoke, VA 24018-0798

Add [email protected] to your address book to ensure delivery of the Roanoke County ED e-mails.