Roanoke County Business Partners Newsletter
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June 2020: Volume 20, No. 6
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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In preparation for reopening, we've created a landing page with helpful tips and resources for restaurants and businesses in relation to employment, communication, and planning for the future.
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We’ve also
developed a
helpful guide for businesses
as they navigate the reopening process, including tips for employee safety, communications, and planning for the future.
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Additionally, we continue to encourage all businesses to download and print mask-friendly signs to hang in their storefront windows. Here are two options to use:
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General Inquiries
P: 540-772-2069
F: 540-772-2030
Address
5204 Bernard Drive, SW
Room 421
PO Box 29800
Roanoke, VA 24018
Contacts
Director
Manager
Specialist
Specialist
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.
QUICK LINKS
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Roanoke Regional Partnership Launches Recruitment Campaign
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The View from Your Office
As people across the nation reevaluate where they live amid the pandemic, the Roanoke Regional Partnership is launching a campaign to attract people who can work from anywhere.
The campaign, “The View from Your Office,” is running in major cities on the East and West Coasts. It touts the benefits of the outdoor lifestyle, housing costs, savings, and convenience of the Roanoke Valley.
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News from The Advancement Foundation
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The GAUNTLET Business Program & Competition
™
went virtual this year and we are excited to celebrate this year's resilient cohort as they graduate!
Tune into the watch party on Thursday, June 25th at 6:00 PM for the 6th Annual GAUNTLET Award Ceremony and Graduation! More info at
TheAdvancementFoundation.org
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The Advancement Foundation launched a virtual entrepreneurial hub, "Biz NATION," designed to expand access to resources and a network of entrepreneurs & mentors across local/regional/state communities.
To access Biz NATION on Startup Space:
Click here
to set up an account, login, build your profile, and have immediate access to the Biz NATION community hub with local news and events, resources, a knowledge center, and more. You can also download the Startup Space app via
App Store
or
Google Play
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Innovation Mill, a program specialized for early stage, high growth companies, is now accepting applications for the next cohort!
Some of the services provided to companies that qualify are
:
the development of business innovation and development teams, industry expert and customer focus groups, prototyping, manufacturing, processing and e-commerce expertise, and product showcase opportunities.
Click here to fill out the Needs Assessment!
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News and Resources from Roanoke SBDC
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As businesses begin to look at reopening and/or planning to transition to the 'new normal,' there are a number of factors to consider and decisions to be made. The Virginia SBDC launched a website:
Recovery Resources for Small Businesses
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The Roanoke Regional SBDC works with entrepreneurs in all phases of their business from idea to exiting. Their confidential advising sessions are free and they are currently working remotely and offering appointments through Zoom.
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They are also hosting the following events for business owners:
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Learn about the official guidelines for forgiveness and get access to the internal spreadsheet the SBDC uses to help clients complete the worksheets.
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Join the SBDC for this mini-workshop to learn how to use Quickbooks to track PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) Forgiveness.
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Join the SBDC virtually every Friday with your favorite cup of joe for conversation on topics that matter to small business resiliency in our region.
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Business Smart Start is an intro to owning a business and will cover the nine steps to market research to determine if your business idea makes sense.
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Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge Releases Progress Report
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Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge has released its Annual Progress Report, highlighting Visit VBR's marketing efforts to support the growth within the community and the tourism industry.
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Developing a Destination for Talent
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VT's
Developing a Talent Destination
initiative seeks to connect with regional businesses via student internships and project-based work. Interns are paid by the company and VT matches the amount up to a TBD maximum.
The project-based work puts students (and faculty) to work on company-identified and company-led projects. There is no cost to the company for project-based work.
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Adopt-a-Highway – Good for Virginia's Image and Yours!
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The Virginia Department of Transportation partners with Keep Virginia Beautiful to promote the Adopt-a-Highway program throughout Virginia. The program is free and easy to participate in!
The Adopt-a-Highway program 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. Groups are required to clean up a minimum of 2x per year for a 3 year commitment.
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Explore Park Reopens for the Summer
Explore Park is open for lots of summertime fun!
Tubing, camping and Treetop Quest are now happening at Explore Park, with more activities to come as they align with the Governor's plan for reopening. For more information, please visit the Roanoke County Parks & Recreation page.
Read More >>
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GENEDGE Launches COVID-19 Site
In part of an ongoing effort to help businesses cope with the pandemic, GENEDGE has launched a site
with the Virginia Supply ChainConnector, a tool to help manufacturers connect with each other to strengthen the supply chain for PPE in Virginia.
Visit Site >>
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Get2KnowNoke Launches Leadership Institute
The Experience Leadership Institute is a summer-long program that will help young professionals master the skills employers have rated most important.
Read More >>
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Virginia SBSD Offers One-on-One Business Counseling
The Virginia SBSD is offering free 1-hour one-on-one virtual counseling as the region approaches recovery and reopening. By appointment only.
Request Appointment >>
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Catawba Valley Farmers Market Plans Reopening
Plans are under way to open the Catawba Valley Farmers Market on Thursday, June 11. Hours will be from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm.
Full details on how safeguards will be implemented at CVFM are still being developed and will be posted on
the website
and on
Facebook
.
More Information >>
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Delta Dental Donates $3 Million to Dentists for PPE Supplies
Delta Dental of Virginia
is donating $3 million directly to 4,500 dentists in its network to cover expenses related to the pandemic through its nonprofit foundation to supply PPE for employees.
Read More >>
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Roanoke County Facilities Recognized by Roanoker Magazine's Best of 2020 List
South County Library, Explore Park, Green Ridge Recreation Center, and more Roanoke County facilities were included in the annual "Best Of" list.
Read More >>
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Join the RCPL Virtual Summer Reading Program
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Virginia International Trade Events
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International Trade in a COVID-19 World
The VEDP's webinar series in April is still available for re-watching at the button to the right.
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Registration is now open for VEDP - International Trade's new calendar of events!
Face-to-face meetings are critical to international business. We help Virginia companies meet potential customers and partners through trade missions and trade shows.
Trade Missions
Trade Missions are customized visits of business meetings arranged on your behalf. These meetings are pre-qualified based on your export market objective. Our schedule of upcoming Trade Missions includes:
Trade Shows
At select international Trade Shows, Virginia's booth provides the ideal base for co-exhibiting companies, allowing you to exhibit products and services and network with prospective customers. Our schedule of upcoming Trade Shows includes:
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Virginia Tech Virtual Webinar: Virtual Communication
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June 18 | 3-4 p.m.
Join Kay Dunkley, Executive Director of the Roanoke Higher Education Center, to learn strategies for improved workplace communication as we function with different generations and deal with cultural and diversity challenges.
Click on the flyer to download for more info.
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Virginia Tech Leadership Academy
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Virginia Tech Roanoke Center is hosting the Leadership Academy in Roanoke from August 2020 through March 2021. This is a training series focused on
developing skills necessary for navigating leadership challenges and opportunities.
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Additionally, Virginia Tech Roanoke Center is hosting a weekly Leadership Challenge on social media with a prize of $1,000 credit towards registration for the Leadership Academy. Participants can enter weekly through June 22. Visit
this page
for more information about the Leadership Challenge.
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Roanoke County Business Partners on RVTV
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Due to the spread of COVID-19, we recorded this month’s show remotely using Zoom to practice social distancing.
This month, we start out by speaking with Debbie Melvin, assistant vice president of Talent Solutions with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, who shared details about VEDP’s workforce program.
Next, we connect with Ramain Gohar, business service manager with the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity. He shares business insight for recovery strategies and steps for reopening.
Lastly, we hear from Cecile Newcomb from the Roanoke County Planning Department, who shares updates on the Hollins Plan and what to expect next.
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yesroanoke.org
econdev@roanokecountyva.gov
P.O. Box 29800, Roanoke, VA 24018-0798
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