| Business Partners Newsletter |
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December 2018: Volume 18, No. 12
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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Importance of 'place making' emphasized
Roanoke County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Martha Hooker delivered the annual State of the County Address held at the Holiday Inn Tanglewood on November 13. Roanoke County School Board Chairman Jason Moretz also presented an update about the school system. Terry Jamerson, Chair for the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, gave the welcome and introduced the chairmen.
"In Roanoke County, we need to think more about place-making and building quality of place, not only to attract new corporate investment, but also in support of new population growth," said Chairwoman Martha Hooker of the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors.
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General Inquires
P: 540-772-2069
5204 Bernard Drive, SW
Room 421
PO Box 29800
Roanoke, VA 24018
Administrative Assistant
Mission Statement
To attract and facilitate the growth of innovative businesses, jobs and population that increase taxable investment and ensure sustainable world class community resources.
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ATTENTION: Calling All
Entrepreneurs
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Attention local entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial ecosystem supporters...
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Roanoke County Taking Bids
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Roanoke County Library Offers New Tool
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Lynda.com is now available through the Roanoke County Libraries to help expand your knowledge base. Lynda.com is an American online education company offering video courses taught by industry experts in software, creative, and business skill. Lynda.com is available for patrons to use for free with their library card. To create an account visit our website,
www.yourlibrary.us and click on virtual library.
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Bikeshare by RIDE Solutions
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Since its launch in May of 2017, the Bikeshare by RIDE Solutions program has continued to expand throughout the city, creating a network of 17 stations connecting downtown Roanoke to nearby neighborhoods, activity, and commercial centers.
This summer, RIDE Solutions created the weekly "Zag This Week" email newsletter highlighting businesses and events near bikeshare stations. This is a great opportunity to show all the great things Roanoke has to offer while emphasizing how easy it is to get to them on a Zagster.
Each newsletter highlights between four and six events taking place near a Zagster station. The newsletter has a goal of promoting a wide variety of events reflecting the wide variety of interests and activities taking place in Roanoke - from rooftop yoga, to concerts, to beer launches, to community service opportunities.
We are always looking for things to share with our over 3,000 members. If you or your business have an event or a promotion going on that you would like for us to highlight in our weekly newsletter, contact Tim Pohlad-Thomas,
[email protected] for more information.
Sponsorship Opportunities
As RIDE Solutions' bikeshare system continues to grow, we are always looking for ways to expand to the system to meet the needs of as many of our residents as possible.
Sponsors benefits include branding on the bicycles and station, priority in determining a station's location, brand recognition within the Zagster app, member benefits for sponsors employees and customers, and more. Businesses interested in becoming a bikeshare sponsor to help grow this valuable community benefit should contact Jeremy Holmes, Director of RIDE Solutions, at 540-342-9393.
Bikeshare by RIDE Solutions is a partnership with Zagster, a bikeshare provider headquartered in Massachusetts, that is based on a sponsorship model where the costs of starting and operating new stations are covered by community-minded local businesses.
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| Events and Workshops: Business Tools for Growth |
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Business Smart Start - FREE This Month Only!
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December 11 |
Learn More |
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Linux Users Group
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December 20
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Pitch and Polish
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January 9 |
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International Trade Workshop
(To Be Held at South County Library)
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January 25, 2019
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9 am - 11 am
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Implementing LEAN
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New Certified Nursing Assistant Program at
Burton Center for Art and Technology
Labor market trends show health care careers are in high demand, so Roanoke County Public Schools has partnered with Carilion and Medical Facilities of America to offer a Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) program for Roanoke County high school students. This year there are thirty-six students participating in the program. When they complete their studies and pass the certification test, they will become CNAs and be highly sought after by local and national health care providers. Read more about the program in the Roanoke Times.
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Watch CNA Segment on RCBP |
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Roanoke County Departments and Area Businesses Participate in Glenvar High School Career Fair
On November 27 Glenvar HS faculty and staff put together a great career fair for students for a second year in a row. Students learned about various career opportunities found right here in the Roanoke Region. Special thanks goes out to Roanoke County Human Resources for helping various departments participate!
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RBTC is Holding Roundtable Discussions for
Human Resources Professionals
Are you a
strategic human resources professional in a technology company? Are you looking for a
strong and supportive learning environment that can help you make an impact on your organization's continual change, growth, and success?
If so, please apply to participate in the Roanoke Blacksburg Technology Council HR Roundtable.
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Tru by Hilton opens
first
hotel in Roanoke area
Leaders from Roanoke County and development partners Jasmine & Hannah, LLC jointly celebrated the opening of a new hotel project located near the Gander Outdoors in Hollins on November 15, 2018. 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.
"This project demonstrates continued economic expansion in Roanoke County and confirms the growth in tourism in the Roanoke region," said Board of Supervisors Chairman Martha Hooker. "This new investment also coincides with the Plantation Road Transportation Enhancement Project currently underway as a key economic development driver for the Hollins area."
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Tru by Hilton - 8161 Gander Way - Roanoke, Virginia 24019 - (540) 400-8244
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Macado's Opens in Vinton!
Leaders from Roanoke County, The Town of Vinton and Macado's celebrated the opening of the New Macado's near downtown Vinton on Saturday, December 1st.
This Macado's features numerous TV's so you can catch your favorite team and also has a game room for kids and parents alike.
There is a covered outdoor patio with a fireplace so you can enjoy the outdoors year round.
Macados - 800 E Washington Ave - Vinton, VA
(540) 682-2122
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Don's Cab-Inns open in Explore Park
Don's Cab-Inns hosted a ribbon cutting event on November 30, 2018 at their new facilities in Explore Park with assistance from Roanoke County.
We're excited to announce the opening of new overnight accommodations at Roanoke County's Explore Park. Don's Cab-Inns has completed the construction of four pod cabins at the park, as well as six RV sites, served by a bathhouse on site.
Four yurts will also open soon, with reservations now being accepted online at:
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Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball visits TMEIC
Virginia's Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball visited TMEIC on November 7, 2018.
Secretary Ball learned how TMEIC drives industry around the world through a comprehensive offering of unique systems solutions including variable frequency drives, motors, photovoltaic inverters and advanced automation systems for a wide range of industrial applications.
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VFP, Inc moves corporate headquarters to Roanoke County
VFP, Incorporated has announced the purchase of Cox Communication's almost 50,000 square foot facility on Fallowater Lane. VFP, Inc. will relocate their corporate headquarters to the Roanoke County location by year's end.
Originally built in 1994, with an addition in 2007 nearly doubling its size, the Fallowater Lane facility has served as Cox Communications' primary office in Roanoke. Cox will continue to maintain office space on Fallowater Lane through a leaseback agreement with VFP.
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Nominate a business for the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber Awards 2019
The holidays are coming, and the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce will be ringing in the new year with the Annual Meeting & Awards Event on January 11, 2019!
It is not too late to participate in three ways:
- Sponsor the Event - Sponsorship opportunities are available in all categories until December 15, 2018. See the Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony 2019 document for a full description of all sponsorship categories.
- Attend the Event - To register for the event, visit our website at http://www.s-rcchamber.org, go to Events and click on Annual Meeting & Awards 2019. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Roanoke County Parks, Rec & Tourism wins five public relations awards
In November, Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism took home five Summit Awards from the Blue Ridge Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, recognizing excellence in print publications, marketing and public communication. The department was recognized as follows:
- Gold Summit Award in Magazines for Explore Recreation Magazine
- Gold Summit Award in Print Publications for the Explore Park Rental Brochure
- Silver Summit Award in Marketing for Explore Park Camping Launch
- Silver Summit Award for Public Relations for Explore Park Disc Golf Launch
In addition to these awards, the department was presented with the Lin Chaff Award for Creativity recognizing the entry with the highest overall creativity score based on the creative execution of a campaign or tactic. Public communication is critical to informing our citizens about recreation opportunities in Roanoke County, and we're proud of our staff for this effort.
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Longtime advocate celebrates diverse Williamson Road
After more than 10 years as executive director of the Williamson Road Area Business Association, Wendy Jones is leaving to join the firm Allegheny Partners.
She is an accountant and will return to that profession when she steps down on Wednesday. But for years she has been known as an advocate for businesses along Williamson Road, which stretches from downtown Roanoke into Roanoke County. It's one of the main thoroughfares in the region, with more than 150 businesses based around it. It has a lengthy history in the Star City and, in its heyday, was a main drag for cruising on Saturday nights. Now it is known for its mix of international dining spots and local car dealerships. In her role with the association, Jones worked with city and county officials and small businesses on issues such as road improvement projects to increase pedestrian amenities, safety and accessibility along the road.
We wish Wendy great success in her future endeavors and thank her for her service to the businesses on Williamson Road.
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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.
If you are interested in participating in a VEDP Trade Mission, please contact Roger Porter as there may be resources available to offset some of the associated costs. (Contact information above)
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Trade Mission to the United Arab Emirates
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Mobile World Congress (Spain) |
| February 10 - 14, 2019 |
February 25-28, 2019 |
Registration Deadline:
December 12, 2018
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Registration Deadline:
December 28, 2018
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Trade Mission to Mexico
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Additional Trade Missions |
| March 25 - 29, 2019 |
Throughout the year |
Registration Deadline:
January, 2019
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Shake Hands with Potential Customers...In their Country!
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Attention: Save the Date for 9 am to 11 am on January 25th for an International Trade Workshop - Details to Follow
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| Disaster Loan Program offered by SBA |
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Deadline to apply is January 14, 2019
The U. S. Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance offers low interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, non-profit organizations to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery & equipment, inventory and business assets damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster.
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| One-on-One Counseling Now Available! |
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Are you looking for new avenues to grow your business?
Learn how you can provide your services and products to the State of Virginia
The Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD), in partnership with Roanoke County Economic Development Department, will be conducting free one-on-one counseling sessions on how to access business development resources, State financing programs (VSBFA), including technical assistance for conducting business with State agencies through SWaM Certification and eVA (Virginia's Online Procurement Portal).
These 1-hour sessions are by appointment only.
No fee, but appointment is REQUIRED
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| Roanoke County Business Partners Show on RVTV |
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Welcome to Roanoke County Business Partners. On today's show, we celebrate the grand opening of the Tru by Hilton, a new hotel brand for the area and a new development in the Hollins study area. Next, Annette Patterson tells us about what is new for the 2019 Gauntlet business plan competition. Finally, we visit with the Director of Talent Acquisition for Carilion Clinic and a student in the new Certified Nursing Assistant program at Roanoke County Public Schools.
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Stay Connected
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