November 2020: Volume 20, No. 1l
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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Behind the Scenes at Mack Trucks RVO |
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Since January of this year when Mack Trucks announced the opening of their Roanoke Valley Operations, or RVO, site, we’ve been waiting anxiously for the trucking giant to begin production.
RVO began production in September and has been working tirelessly and safely to put the MD series trucks on the streets amid the pandemic. Mack’s vice president of medium-duty operations, Antonio Servidoni, gave us a virtual tour of RVO and showed us what Mack has going on in their new facility. Click here for the tour!
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Roanoke Wins Top Adventure Town |
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Congratulations to our community and a big thanks to everyone who voted! The 2020 victory marks back-to-back Top Adventure Town titles for Roanoke, and its 5th Top Adventure Town title in the past 9 years. Miles of hiking trails, scenic waterways, and multiple access points for the famous Blue Ridge Parkway are just a few of Roanoke's amazing qualities.
Click the icons above and below to see why Roanoke is the Top Adventure Town!
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New Business Alert: Cast Plates & Pints |
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"American comfort fusion" restaurant coming soon to West Village
Roanoke County welcomes Cast Plates & Pints as the newest addition to our already fantastic restaurant scene. A few Cave Spring natives, two of which whom graduated from Cave Spring High School, are bringing a "high-end sports bar" feel to the area. If you're a fan of steak, fried green tomatoes, and craft cocktails then you'll feel right at home at Cast. You can find them at 3555 Electric Road, Suite D and more information on their website.
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Roanoke County Businesses Benefit from State Programs |
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Roanoke County Economic Development and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) have worked together to help Roanoke County businesses receive a total of $73,000 in export assistance this past year. Roanoke County businesses we were able to help receive these funds include:
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Elbit Systems of America – Received $10,000 through VEDP Trade Show Program for exhibiting at a qualified, international trade show.
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Origo – Received help identifying potential customers in Australia.
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Optical Cable Corp – Received $10,000 through VEDP Trade Show Program and the State Trade Expansion Program ($3,000 grant).
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P1 Technologies – Completed the Regional Export Program ($10,000 grant) and entered the Virginia leaders in Export Trade program ($30,000 grant) in January, and is currently pursuing new sales in Australia, Ireland, and France.
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Pavement Stencil – Taking part in the Regional Export Program ($10,000 grant) and using the resources to focus on growing their market share in Canada.
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Elbit Wins U.S. Army Contract |
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Elbit Systems of America and the U.S. Army have finalized a contract for manufacturing night-vision goggles that can reach a maximum of approximately $442 million. Read the full release here.
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Roanoke County Shines with Great Industry Leadership |
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Manufacturing, Finance, and Insurance leaders recognized state-wide
Virginia Business magazine selected a few Roanoke County industry leaders for their 2020 Power List, including Neil D. Wilkin, Jr. of Optical Cable Corp., Frank Lucia of Delta Dental, and Dale Guidry of TMEIC Corp. Click on their names to view their entries.
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Economic Analysis: COVID-19 and Roanoke Businesses |
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The Roanoke Regional Partnership released an October update of employment trends, consumer spending, and much more to show where we came from, where we are now, and what’s ahead.
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Business Transportation Survey |
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Great news! The Blue Ridge Parkway from Explore Park (MP 115.5) to U.S. 220 (MP 121.4) has completely reopened to the public. Even though the Parkway from U.S. 220 (MP 121.4) to Adney Gap (MP 135.9) is still closed, the detour includes some of Roanoke's finest shops along the way. Click here for more information.
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Drive Small, Support Local |
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This holiday season, support for local and small businesses struggling under the pandemic is more important than ever before. In conjunction with the annual, nationwide Shop Small movement, RIDE Solutions will be bringing back its Drive Small campaign, highlighting the connections between our individual transportation choices and our local economy.
“Drive Small is a reminder that the money we save by using sustainable transportation modes is money that goes right back into those same local businesses. And for those of us who are saving even more time and money this year due to telework, there is an even bigger opportunity to support the local economy,” says RIDE Solutions Director Jeremy Holmes.
RIDE Solutions will also be using the Drive Small campaign to highlight businesses who are part of its rewards program, supporting commuters who choose to use sustainable transportation. More about the rewards program and how to become a member can be found here.
RIDE Solutions is a commuter services program operated by the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission. For more information on RIDE Solutions, check out their website here.
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Our Partners and Programs |
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Burton Center's Burns Wins Big |
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Build Smart Institute Opens its Doors
The Build Smart Institute has officially launched in the Roanoke Region! This training hub will prepare individuals of all ages to be career-ready for the construction industry and include courses such as plumbing, electrical, and project management.
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Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council Creates Training Opportunities |
RBTC was awarded the ELITE Grant funded by GO Virginia. The grant will create 57 internships and apprenticeships housed within Professional Internship Organizations working with regional technology companies to increase IT and software development talent in GOVA Region 2. For more information, please contact RBTC President, John Phillips, at johnphillips@rbtc.tech
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Retooling Program to Help Manufacturers Pivot During COVID-19
In an effort to adapt Virginia manufacturers to the new market conditions caused by COVID-19, GENEDGE and GO Virginia have spearheaded a new two-year program known as the Re-tooling Virginia Manufacturers for Strategic Industries Program. Manufacturers can apply for this grant-funded program to help discover how to leverage supply chains and develop new machinery in response to the pandemic.
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VA Ready Gets Displaced Workers Training in Response to COVID-19
VA Ready has partnered with businesses across the State to help Virginians get trained in high-demand fields like technology, healthcare, manufacturing, or skilled trades. Program participants can receive tuition grants from FastForward and earn a $1,000 award from VA Ready when they achieve a training credential.
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Commercial Property from a Bird's Eye |
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We were able to capture incredible drone footage of two available commercial properties in Roanoke County. Click the videos below! |
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Shadwell & Beahm Industrial Site |
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The Catawba Valley Farmers Market 2020 season coming to an end |
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The Catawba Valley Farmers' Market CVFM) has closed for the 2020 season. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the Market to open 6 weeks later than planned, with numerous restrictions in place. In spite of the restrictions, the shorter season and fewer vendors than in previous years, the 2020 season proved to be very successful, with a 36.5% increase in sales over 2019.
This increase in sales is attributed not only to consumers' desire for fresh local foods that have been touched by only a few hands, but also for a safer shopping environment. The small one- or two-person operations that comprise the vendor list at CVFM, plus the outdoor venue in the rural Catawba Valley location, have proved to be very attractive to area consumers.
Due to the COVID-19 distancing requirements, the CVFM has canceled their annual Holiday Market which is normally held in November. Some vendors are selling their foods and crafts by pre-order, for local pick-up. Information on those vendors, their contact information, and their products will be listed on the website and on Facebook as it becomes available.
Although the Market is now closed, plans are already being made for the 2021 season. The website and Facebook page will be updated as those plans are finalized.
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Illuminights Tickets on Sale Now
Don't miss out on Explore Park's Winter Walk of Lights!
Due to COVID-19 precautions, only advance tickets
will be sold for the event (no walk-ups), with assigned
arrival times.
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Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Moved to Tanglewood Mall
We're extremely excited to announce that we will be hosting the Roanoke County tree-lighting ceremony this year at Tanglwood Mall!
Join us for a time to celebrate and come together this holiday season.
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Veterans Day Presentation
Author and Executive Producer Heath Lee will be discussing her book, THE LEAGUE OF WIVES: The Untold Story of the Women who Took On the U.S. Government to Bring Their Husbands Home at Club Friendship at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 11th
For those who would like to participate remotely, you are able to attend virtually via GoToMeeting. RSVP to Ken Mowbray, kmowbray@friendship.us.
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2020 Vinton Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting
Join the Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce in Downtown Vinton on December 3rd for the Tree Lighting at 6 PM and the Christmas Parade from 7 - 9 PM
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OSHA Programming at Roanoke Higher Education Center |
Click above for more information.
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Career Exploration Workshop
Mark your calendars for December 2nd from 12:30 - 1:30 PM for a virtual workshop and Q&A with a panel of workforce experts to learn how to pivot during a career change, receive skills training, and position yourself for the job market.
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Do your employees need to improve their IT or computer skills?
Virginia Western can help! With fast-paced concentrated short programs offered online or in a classroom setting, the coursework can be completed in just a few months. Read more
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The Advancement Foundation Announcements |
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The 7th Annual GAUNTLET will begin on February 9, 2021 |
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Innovation Mill Now Taking Applications
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Biz Nation Platform Launch
Entrepreneurs, Business Leaders, Mentors, Investors, and Economic Developers can join the Foundation's launch event on November 10th at 8 AM to introduce their new platform, Biz NATION, the regions largest online entrepreneur network.
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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!
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:
Webinar Series
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Roanoke Regional Small Business Development Center Events |
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Stay tuned on Social Medial @RoanokeSBDC for special programming and releases during NVSBW week.
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Shop Small Saturday
Saturday, November 28
Stay tuned on Social Media @RoanokeSBDC for special programming and releases as we prepare for Small Business Saturday
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Events, Workshops, and Resources
Stay up-to-date on upcoming Roanoke SBDC news and events by visiting their website here.
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1:1 Advising
The Roanoke Regional Small Business Development Center works with entrepreneurs in all phases of their business from idea to exiting.
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Roanoke County Business Partners on RVTV |
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This month’s show features a virtual tour of the new Mack Trucks RVO facility; interviews with Mike Ruth the Shoe Doctor, a local business owner and Small Business Recovery Grant recipient; Mohammad Hassanzada, owner of Tribal Rugs Gallery, which has recently relocated to Roanoke County; and a segment on Tacos Rojas and their third location opening in Roanoke County.
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(540) 772-2069
P.O. Box 29800, Roanoke, VA 24018-0798
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