October 2021
Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport
Welcomes Additional Flights
The Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport has good news to share for the future of air travel to and from Roanoke.

The popular Delta Air Lines Airbus has returned to ROA providing 132 seats to Atlanta (ATL) from Roanoke early each morning. The A319 departs Roanoke daily at 6:06 am, arriving in Atlanta at 7:27 am. Evening departures from Atlanta are 9:55 pm, arriving in Roanoke at 11:16 pm.

As previously reported, United Airlines has added a special flight for the Notre Dame vs. Virginia Tech game Saturday, October 9. They will operate a non-stop flight from South Bend, IN (SBN) to ROA to accommodate game traffic. This is the first time United has added ROA to the Football Flying program. Please promote this flight to your friends in that market! If it performs well, United may consider having a ROA-SBN non-stop flight next year when Tech plays at Notre Dame.

Allegiant Air is resuming their service to Clearwater/St. Pete in October!
Lastly, on Tuesday, November 2, American Airlines resumes service from ROA to New York-LaGuardia (LGA). On Thursday, November 18, they will add a second daily flight. Once they go to two daily flights, the flight times are awesome! Travelers can depart ROA at 06:07 arriving LGA at 07:45, or depart ROA at 5:49 pm arriving LGA at 7:24 pm. The return trip departs LGA at 3:29 pm and arrives ROA at 5:15 pm, or departs LGA at 9:29 pm and arrives ROA at 11:09 pm. The timing of the flights is great for business or leisure travel.

Thanks to the hard work of the ROA staff and Airport Commission for bringing these welcomed flights to the region!
Spotlight on Business
Ferguson Fitness
At Ferguson Fitness, we're dedicated to your success and we're ready to prove it on day one. Our system is built to meet the needs of every fitness level. Your goals are our priorities. We value the role health and fitness have played in our lives and we're committed to sharing that with you. For too many, sustainable success has seemed out of the question. Not anymore. Our mission is to help you tackle your goals one step at a time. The path to success can seem daunting at first, but we've got your back through it all, helping you make progress every day.

We are a driven and energetic team ready to help you change your life through fitness, healthy eating, and living an active life you love. We are a local business and veteran-owned with a combined 40+ years of experience in the fitness industry. Our studio and members are a welcoming fitness community where you will feel at home the moment you step through the door. From our fun, team-focused group workouts, to our Spartan team racing adventures to our amazing kids obstacle training program, we offer the best and most unique training in Roanoke and beyond.

We can’t wait to meet you and we stand ready to help you discover the best version of you!
Learn more about Ferguson Fitness below!
MEET RAMP TECHNOLOGY COHORT: ARCHIVECORE
Four Blacksburg- and Roanoke-based entrepreneurs working with machine intelligence, drone docking stations, healthcare credentialing, and thermal sensing were chosen to RAMP’s Fall 2021 Cohort focused on technology startups.

Learn more in the video below about ArchiveCore and Co-Founder Lennox McNeary who are participating in this 13-week program which began in mid-September.

As a physician and medical director of a rehabilitation unit, Dr. Lennox McNeary grew frustrated with the lengthy 90- to 120-day credentialing process of onboarding a new medical professional. These administrative delays can cost a health care system $7,000-$10,000 per day in lost potential revenue.

So with Dr. Keel Coleman, she co-founded ArchiveCore.

Using blockchain technology, ArchiveCore creates “digital fingerprints of authenticity” that instantly verifies a medical professional has the certifications she/he claims to have so new hires can start work faster.
Richfield Living Celebrates A Ribbon Cutting at
The Health Center-Roanoke Campus
Richfield Living, a leader in senior living and rehabilitation, celebrated with a ribbon-cutting on Thursday, September 30 at The Health Center - Roanoke Campus' new location of 1047 Mecca Street in the City of Roanoke. Council Members Stephanie Moon and Joseph Cobb along with Wildwood Civic League President Chris Craft attended and participated in the event.

“We are so proud to achieve a major objective of our Vision 2020 Strategic Plan in opening The Health Center – Roanoke Campus which provides a significant shift in the environment of long-term health care,” Cherie Grisso, Richfield Living CEO, observes. “The new Health Center offers a unique home-like setting and every resident enjoys a private bedroom. Changing from the former institutional care to a residential care setting is paramount in Richfield transition to person-centered living in which every long-term resident is dignified with privacy and more choices in their daily living routines. It is amazing to see the impact already on the quality of life for long-term care residents!”
Virginia Tech Names Assistant Vice President of Advancement for Health Sciences and Technology and the
Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
Martha Quinn
Virginia Tech’s Advancement Division recently added Martha Quinn to its team as assistant vice president of advancement for health sciences and technology and the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC.

Quinn, who started on Sept. 20, previously served as executive director of development at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Massey Cancer Center. Prior to that, she was senior director of development for Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.

In her new role at Virginia Tech, Quinn is responsible for planning and putting in motion an integrated approach to advance the university’s health sciences and technology priority to address medical challenges that affect millions.
Roanoke Financial Empowerment Center Receives Grant for
Eviction Prevention
With 25 financial empowerment centers across the US, Roanoke's Financial Empowerment Center "FEC" was recently chosen as one of five capable programs to create a special program supporting individuals at risk for eviction. The services provided by the FEC include free professional financial counseling, allowing individuals to remain in their homes.

Brandon Meginley, financial stability specialist with the City of Roanoke said "Over the course of time in partnership with Total Action for Progress "TAP" and central intake, we help folks who are at risk of eviction with those things like debt reduction, improving their credit score, and establishing an emergency savings plan."

Roanoke's Financial Empowerment Center was established in Fall 2020 and operates through a partnership between the City of Roanoke, Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund, Inc., Freedom First Enterprises, and key community organizations. Carilion Clinic has partnered with the Financial Empowerment Center to help our communities achieve financial well-being, with the ultimate goal to improve our overall health.
25 Events to Check Out this October in
Virginia's Blue Ridge
With the arrival of fall colors and the calendar full of fun events, it’s the perfect time to plan a fall getaway to the mountains.

In addition to the list of special events found in the link below, there is also specific blog posts to provide more information about other fall events and experiences to enjoy during the season:
As you make your plans for this month, click the link below to preview 25 special events happening in October in Virginia’s Blue Ridge.
Small Business Owners: Share your perspectives!
Please see BizLink Survey which follows.
The Virginia Small Business Development Center Network is partnering with the Federal Reserve Bank to conduct a Small Business Credit Survey.
 
The findings will help us determine needs, gaps and opportunities to support business owners in accessing capital.  

The survey closes on November 19. Results will be published in early 2022.

Thank you for your input!
Interested in a new job?

Virginia Tech is actively searching for essential positions. To learn more about available career opportunities, click below.
Don't forget...BizRoanoke is on RVTV Channel 3!
BizRoanoke is a monthly television program highlighting economic activity, business highlights and programs within the City of Roanoke.

Tune into RVTV Channel 3 to learn more or access it through our website at www.BizRoanoke.com.
The City of Roanoke Department of Economic Development is on Facebook and Instagram! Please "like" or "follow" us today!
Check it Out!

City Owned Available Property
The City of Roanoke has a variety of properties available for acquisition, including existing buildings (as available) and buildable sites. Proposals for these properties must be approved by Council and must be submitted to the City of Roanoke Department of Economic Development. 

For more information on available properties and the proposal process, please visit the links below:


Upcoming Training and Events
Downtown Putt-Putt continues in Century Plaza!
Downtown Putt Around, a 9-hole mini-golf course is popping up at different locations in the central business district and is a great opportunity for people of all ages to get out and have fun!
Putt-putt details:
Through October 14th, 2021
Location: Century Plaza – 14 Church Ave SE, Roanoke, VA 24011
Hours: 4 - 9 pm Thursday – Saturday, 1- 5 pm Sunday
Admission: $5 per person, children 6 and under are free
Schedule your time slot in advance at PuttRoanoke.brownpapertickets.com
Limited walk-up spaces available
For more information on this fun-filled event, visit www.DowntownRoanoke.org.
This project is being supported by WFIR, WSLQ, WXLK, and Roanoke Parks and Recreation. 
Virginia Career Works
Hiring Event
Virginia Career Works - Roanoke Center
3601 Thirlane Road NW Suite 2
Roanoke, VA 24019
 
Thursday, October 14th 2021
1pm - 4pm

 Featuring the following employers:
Atlantic Constructors, Inc.
Belk
FedEx Ground
Grifols
Homestead Creamery Inc
LewisGale Physicians
Medeco/ASSA ABLOY
Our Lady of the Valley
Richfield Living
Roanoke City Public Schools
Roanoke Police Academy
Rockydale Quarries Corporation
Salem Montessori School
SWM
TJ Maxx/HomeGoods
UPS
Waffle House
Western VA Regional Jail
Yokohama Tire Manufacturing
& More
 Please come prepared to meet employer
representatives & distribute copies of your resume!
Maury Strauss Distinguished Public Lecture
Presented by the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
Thursday, October 15, 2021
5:30 pm
Virtual Lecture: Digital Innovations Are Essential for Leading Organizations: A Houston Methodist Hospital Experience
ROBERTA L. SCHWARTZ, Ph.D. Executive Vice President, and Chief Innovation Officer Houston Methodist Hospital Houston, Texas
Healthcare Organizations have embraced digital innovations, particularly during the COVID pandemic. Creating a sustainable culture of innovation, however, is challenging. Organizations must have the willingness and the passion to continuously reinvent not only the way that they do their business, but, also, their technology. Houston Methodist Hospital has built a Center for Innovation that continuously drives Innovation in patient facing and administrative departments. Dr. Schwartz will explore the structure behind the Center for Innovation as well as some of the products that are currently in use. 
For additional events, workshops and resources, click here!
Bank On Roanoke Valley announces next round of
Financial Wellness Series
Bank On Roanoke Valley is proud to announce the next round of the Bank On Financial Wellness Series, beginning in October 2021!
 
In this financial wellness series, Bank On Roanoke Valley rewards participant's hard work and commitment through perks tailored to each individual’s self-identified goals. In other words, Bank On Roanoke Valley works with you to tune up your finances in a way that makes your money work for you! Determine your financial goals, and get help achieving those goals with direct interaction from Bank On Roanoke Valley financial partners who teach the classes and help you on your journey to financial empowerment! 
The next Bank On Wellness Series will be held online monthly beginning the 4th Tuesday of every month from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM from October 2021 through March 2022 on zoom, an online meeting platform. There is one required workshop every month for participants to be eligible to receive rewards and incentives. The series is offered at no-cost and is open to Roanoke Valley residents. Only 15 participants will be accepted in the class, with seats filled on a first-come, first-served basis.  Topics include:
 
October 26, 2021 – The Future Looks Bright: Goal Setting, Credit Intro, & Banking Refresher
November 23, 2021 – Make It Work: Create a Spending Plan, Reduce Spending, & Increase Income
December 28, 2021 – The Dreaded “D” Word: Discuss and Conquer your Debt!
January 25, 2022 – Just Charge It: Smart Borrowing and Credit Building
February 22, 2022 – Bank It, Plan It: Savings and Future Planning
March 22, 2022 – Let’s Celebrate: Graduation! Expert Panel Q & A
 
You must enroll in advance to attend. To request an application, contact Brandon Meginley, Financial Stability Specialist with the City of Roanoke Department of Economic Development by phone at 540-853-1120 or by email at brandon.meginley@roanokeva.gov.
Workforce Solution's Event
Connecting for Success
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
5:00 - 8:00 PM

Build Smart Institute
701 Gainsboro Road, NW
Roanoke, VA

October is Careers in Construction month. AGCVA in conjunction with Build Smart Institute invite you to an evening of Networking and Workforce Opportunity Presentations. Refreshments will be served.
(Please call us for sponsorship opportunities - 540-900-3340)
AGCVA Roanoke Purpose Statement: “To connect the community and the workforce with AGCVA Members to create opportunities for integration into Member Organizations and the Construction Industry as a whole”. 
Build Smart Institute Mission"To educate and train individuals to become career-ready and advance within construction industry occupations."
Center in the Square creates “Blue Ridge Nightmares” Haunted Attraction for Fall 2021

Prepare to be scared! Center in the Square is bringing a Hollywood level quality in Halloween-themed entertainment with their own haunted attraction, “Blue Ridge Nightmares”.