Roanoke County Business Partners Newsletter

March 2023: Volume 23, No. 3

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.

Roanoke County Names Economic Development Specialist

Roanoke County welcomes the newest addition to the Economic Development Department, Karli Foster. Karli began her role as Economic Development Specialist on February 27.

Karli is coming from the Virginia State Police where she has been a Virginia Management Fellow, conducting research and analysis, evaluating the agency’s website, and developing presentations. Foster has additional experience within local government including as an intern for Franklin County Administrator’s Office and Henry County Administrator’s Office.

Karli earned a Bachelor of Science in Smart and Sustainable Cities from Virginia Tech and a Master of Public Administration from James Madison University. She has a number of affiliations, most notably in the Virginia Economic Development Association and the International Economic Development Council.

Read the full release

Roanoke County Economic Development Launches Web Application Showcasing New Development Projects

In early March, the Roanoke County Department of Economic Development will launch the What’s Developing? web application that will provide insight into industrial, commercial and residential development projects around Roanoke County. The Roanoke County Department of Information Technology configured the What’s Developing? application using ESRI's ArcGIS software. This product allows users to more readily access project information for planned, current, and upcoming development projects in the area.

What’s Developing? can be found on the Economic Development website under Sites and Buildings at www .yesroanoke. org. The new application can also be found in the Maps & Apps Gallery through the County's GIS page at www.roanokecountyva .gov/GIS.

Roanoke County Awarded $820,000 for Improvements to

Wood Haven Technology Park

Congressman Morgan Griffith secured $820,000 in new funding for a project to increase the Wood Haven Technology Park’s competitiveness for industry. Roanoke County made a Community Project Funding request to fund the extension of additional water utility capacity to the Wood Haven Technology Park. These funds will go toward improving the site’s water infrastructure to make it more attractive for future development.

Roanoke County requested these funds to address the need for greater water capacity at the site. Wood Haven Technology Park, located near the I-81 and I-581 interchange, has recently seen greater interest from site selectors. It is clear that many projects require large water and sewer utility capacities. Many of the requirements for significant utility usage correspond with significant capital investment and high-wage employment creation. The proposed project seeks to increase the water supply to the 110-acre site, making it significantly more attractive to water-intensive business operations that may be interested in establishing a facility in the park.

Student Registered Apprenticeship Program

Train your future workforce through the

Student Registered Apprenticeship Program

New Regional Jobs Board

The Roanoke Regional Partnership has launched the new and improved Get2KnowNoke Jobs Board. The goal for this regional amenity is to be the first stop when anyone considers looking for a job in the region.

RoCo Parks and Rec Updates

Partners and Programs