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Roanoke County Business Partners Newsletter
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October 2019: Volume 19, 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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Carilion Children's Announces Development at Tanglewood Mall
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On September 26, Carilion Children's held a grand announcement to share their plans to open a new center at the heart of Tanglewood Mall.
Carilion Children's has leased 150,000 square feet of the property in the space previously occupied by JCPenney. The new Carilion Children's center is expected to be completed in 18-24 months and will provide pediatric and adolescent specialty practices to families in the region.
The addition of Carilion Children's aligns with Roanoke County's Reimagine 419 plan that aims to redevelop the 419 Corridor and transform it into a lively hub for dining, shopping, and entertainment. Roanoke County has already leveraged nearly $30 million in transportation improvements for the next five years.
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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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Carilion Children's Coming Soon
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Carilion Children's has not yet announced the specific services that will be available at their new flagship, but they have confirmed that a majority of its pediatric services will come to Tanglewood Mall.
It is the only children's hospital west of Charlottesville.
Carilion has committed a $30 million investment for this project, which is part of the $1 billion investment in capital improvements they announced earlier this year.
Learn more about this project:
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| 419 Transportation Update |
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Roanoke County continues to advance the Reimagine 419 plan, with several transportation projects already underway. These improvements will make the 419 Corridor easier to navigate and more accessible to travelers, a necessary step towards the redevelopment of Tanglewood Mall and surrounding areas.
Better transportation access will position the 419 Corridor as an ideal hub for business development, bringing more dining, shopping, and recreational opportunities to the area.
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| Career Quest Guides Middle Schoolers to Success |
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Career Quest Empowers Seventh Graders to Pursue Dream Careers
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The inaugural Career Quest event, hosted by
Virginia Career Works - Blue Ridge, brought thousands of seventh graders from across the region to teach them about possible career paths. Students learned about construction, law enforcement, hospitality, wastewater management, and more.
Every seventh grader in the state has to identify a career pathway that will dictate their high school coursework. Career Quest allowed these students to explore the opportunities available beyond high school.
Revisit all that Career Quest had to offer with RVTV-3:
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| Town of Vinton Downtown Housing Rehabilitation Project |
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Opportunities for working families to live, work, and play in Vinton
 The Town of Vinton is currently in the planning phase of its Downtown Housing Rehabilitation Project which will assist low- or moderate-income (LMI) residents with housing and infrastructural needs. The project is to be funded through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, with the application being submitted in March 2020.
In addition to funding a plethora of repairs and improvements to make home "warm, safe, and dry," the grant funds will also be used for public infrastructure improvements which will positively impact the entire neighborhood and community. Housing rehabilitation is not "remodeling."
Instead, it is making improvements to your house that focus on electrical, heating, plumbing, foundations, windows, doors, etc. Work can also be done to help make the home easier to live in for those with physical disabilities. After over a year of preliminary research on the Cleveland neighborhood near Downtown Vinton and conducting extensive neighborhood surveys, the project is now in the phase where the Town is accepting applications and scheduling home inspections for interested property owners and investor-owners. Both of these categories of owners are qualified, however to participate in this program, the actual residents or tenants in the property must qualify as being low to moderate income (LMI).
It is not too late to participate in this program and the Town is requesting that any interested parties that live or own properties in the current target area reach out to them soon for more information. Bolstering the housing stock in this historic neighborhood will have a lasting impact on the local economy as older homes are given new life and opportunities for working families to live, work, and play in Vinton are afforded.
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The Town of Vinton Planning and Zoning Department can be reached by calling 540-983-0605, or by emailing Nathan McClung at [email protected].
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Blue Ridge Towers Brings Network to Parkway
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This month, Roanoke County business
Blue Ridge Towers held a ribbon cutting to celebrate their latest project - bringing cellular networks to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Their new 130-foot cell tower is the first to ever be approved by the National Parks Service to be built along the Parkway. It was designed to look like a grain silo to fit in seamlessly with other grain silos along the route.
Much of the Blue Ridge Parkway is without cell service, which is a safety concern in the cases of motor accidents and navigation. Bringing connectivity to this area is a major step towards a safer and more accessible Parkway, as well as increased livability for surrounding neighborhoods.
This silo is the first, but hopefully won't be the last. It will provide service within a 5-mile radius and Blue Ridge Towers is looking to work with the National Parks Service to install at least 13 more towers.
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A Look at the Future of Oak Grove
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Much like Reimagine 419, Reimagine Oak Grove plans to redevelop a neighborhood that is already brimming with potential business opportunities. Better transportation, increased walkability, and access to indoor and outdoor recreation spaces will improve livability and entertainment options for all residents in the area.
As Roanoke County and the City of Roanoke partner to transform this area into a premier destination for dining, shopping, and entertainment, now is the time for you to get in touch and find out how your business can become part of this transformation.
Here's a look at the details for this exciting new project:
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There is still more to come, yet it's clear that the future is bright for the Oak Grove neighborhood.
For more information about the Oak Grove project and what it can mean for you and your business, contact the Economic Development Department at (540) 772-2069.
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Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge
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Virginia's Blue Ridge Tourism Edging Closer to $1 Billion Economic Impact
Becoming increasingly popular as a mountain vacation destination, visitors to Virginia's Blue Ridge (VBR) spent
$892 million dollars in direct spending during 2018, up from $850 million in 2017. Regional tourism also supported over
8,000 jobs and contributed $64 million in state and local tax collections. This marks the 9th consecutive year of record growth.
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Visit VBR Plans Ahead for Blue Ridge Parkway Closure
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Due to the indefinite closure of the Blue Ridge Parkway between Milepost 106 at Route 460 to Milepost 112 at Route 24, Visit VBR has created a handy guide for visitors. The 10-mile detour runs along 460 and through Vinton. Visit VBR's guide is filled with restaurants, shopping, notable sites, and outdoor spaces to explore the area along the route and get to know all the region has to offer.
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| Vegetation Provides Many Benefits |
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Seeking Entrepreneurs: Innovation Mill Announces Call for Applications
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Innovation Mill supports early stage businesses in high-growth industries by providing next level resources, proof of concept, market research, industry expertise, and higher education networks in order to prepare for scaling both regionally and nationally.
During their time at Innovation Mill, entrepreneurs will be guided through 6 stages to prove their concept which include: 360 evaluations, Business & Innovation Development Teams, Customer Discovery, Industry expertise, Higher education and investor feedback.
Companies will work alongside undergraduate students, fellow entrepreneurs, and their own Business Innovation and Development (BID) team to innovate, pivot, and expand their company.
Learn More
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CIT Announces FY2020 Solicitation for Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund
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$2.5 million in non-dilutive funding available for Virginia's research community
The Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) announced the Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund (CRCF) Request for Proposals (RFP) for FY2020
on September 25
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The CRCF accelerates Virginia's economic growth by supporting high-potential technology commercialization projects at Virginia's public and private institutions of higher education, technology companies, and federal labs and nonprofit research organizations. A single solicitation for approximately $2.5 million will be offered in FY2020, through five programs: Commercialization, SBIR Matching Funds, STTR Matching Funds, Eminent Researcher Recruitment, and Matching Funds.
The RFP will remain open until November 6, 2019, the deadline for submitting Letters of Intent (LOIs). Between now and early October, the CRCF team will travel to regions across the Commonwealth to introduce CRCF and the FY2020 round, discuss this year's LOI process, and answer questions. To find out when we'll be in a region near you, visit
www.cit.org/initiatives/crcf/fy2020/resources/ for the full schedule. Anyone interested in seeking funding this round is encouraged to attend a briefing; it's a terrific opportunity to learn more about the programs and processes and engage with the team and others in the community through Q&A and networking.
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Scare Quest at Explore Park October 17, 18, 20 & 24-27
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Survive the tale and make your escape!
Select your scare level by choosing from three different narratives. A ghostly guide will lead you on an interactive adventure including a ghost story. Then strap a headlamp on your helmet and enjoy Treetop Quest obstacle/zip-line challenge course at night. Each experience includes time on our giant black-light spider web.
Limited spaces!
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Catawba Valley Farmers Market
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 As the 2019 season winds down, vendors continue to bring fresh, nutritious and local foods to the Catawba Valley Farmers Market. In addition to the foods, the Market features fall flowers, a variety of arts and crafts, and music.
The Market hours will change for the remainder of the season, still opening at 3:30 p.m., but closing at 6:30 p.m.
Here is more specific information on special events:
10-3-19 - Seniors Day, with free blood pressure checks, music by Guitars for Vets, and a free meal of pinto beans and cornbread. In addition to our regular vendors, others will have information of particular interest to Seniors, such as home healthcare, home health care items, health insurance, hospice care, etc.
10-10-19 - Music will be provided by Woodsong, with music on the hammered dulcimer, guitar and banjo.
10-17-19 - Last day for the 2019 season! Vendors plan to bring the last of their fall produce, meats, canned relishes and pickles,plus arts and crafts. Marya Katz will return, playing her hammered dulcimer. Her music includes traditional American, British and Irish folk music,with some original compositions thrown in.
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The Catawba Valley Farmers Market is located at the Catawba Community Center, 4965 Catawba Creek Road (Rt. 779), Catawba, VA 24070. Vendors are set up under the newly-expanded picnic shelter on Thursdays from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., rain or shine.
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Post Internship Listings NOWI
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Did you know that top college students commit to an internship in September or October?
If you want to recruit in-demand talent for summer internships, co-ops, and apprenticeships,
you need to post them now. The Roanoke Regional Partnership is here to help.
Don't miss out on top talent, let us market your internships for you!
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Brush up on your Online Marketing skills at our next workshop!
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Roanoke County Library Events
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Virginia International Trade Events
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Registration is now open for VEDP - International Trade's new calendar of events!
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Face-to-face meetings are critical to international business. We help Virginia companies meet potential customers and partners through trade missions and trade shows.
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Trade Missions
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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:
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Trade Shows
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At select international Trade Shows, Virginia's booth provides the ideal base for co-exhibiting companies, allowing you to exhibit your products and services and network with prospective customers. Our schedule of up upcoming Trade Shows includes:
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Arab Health 2020
- January 27 - 30, 2020 - Registration Deadline November 22, 2019
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OSHA COMPLIANCE TRAINING
Roanoke Higher Education Center
call 1.800.875.4770.
For more information,
contact Carla Jackson at 540.767.6010 or
email at [email protected]
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FastForward is a grant that will pay tuition to earn industry-recognized credentials in a variety of fields
Upcoming Open Houses
Nov 19, 2019
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Business of Brewing
January 27-31, 2020
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Implementing LEAN
the lean conference
March 4-5 2020
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Certification Course
Project Management
March 10 - May 26, 2020
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Blue Ridge Mountain Biking Conference
May 6-8, 2020
blueridgemtb.com
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| Roanoke County Business Partners Show on RVTV |
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On the October Roanoke County Business Partners show, we take you to Career Quest where we speak to Brad Stephens of Virginia Career Works - Blue Ridge. He shares more about the event and how it plays a role in the future of our region's workforce and economic development.
Then, we learn more about the new project bringing Carilion Children's to Tanglewood Mall. We speak with Dr. Kim Dunsmore, Chair of Pediatrics with Carilion Clinic, who shares the details about the project and what we can expect from the new Carilion Children's center.
We also check in with John Abernathy, president of Blackwater Resources which owns Tanglewood Mall. He discusses Tanglewood Mall's role in the new Carilion Children's project and how it plays into the future vision for the mall and the 419 Corridor as a whole.
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Stay Connected
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