Roanoke County Business Partners Newsletter |
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April 2021: Volume 21, No. 4
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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Tanglewood Forum Generates 419 Plan Interest |
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Economic Development held a forum to discuss investment opportunities at Tanglewood and the future of the 419 Town Center. Topics included infrastructure improvements that will be made to allow higher density in the area, a market analysis painting the picture for the opportunity, and more.
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View the recording and presentation slides here
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Learn about the 419 Town Center Plan here.
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Contact Elizabeth Poindexter with Blackwater Resources via email or call at (205) 972-9654 to discuss investment opportunities for your business at Tanglewood.
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A recap of Join the momentum: Investing in the Future of Tanglewood can be seen in the April episode of Roanoke County Business Partners.
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Prior to this forum, Blackwater Resources (owner of Tanglewood) announced five new businesses coming to Tanglewood, Panda Express, Jersey Mikes, Aspen Dental, Blaze Pizza, and Chipotle, which will exist in two out-parcel buildings along Electric Road, as well as Chicken Salad Chick, which will move inside Tanglewood close to the Electric Road. Along with the new businesses coming to the area, Michaels and BKT Uniforms and Mathis Nursing Uniforms are now officially open for business in Tanglewood.
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El Mezcal Ribbon-Cutting & Grand Opening |
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Co-owner Daniel Sanchez cuts the ribbon with County Supervisor Paul Mahoney, County Administrator Dan O'Donnell, and Asst. County Administrator Richard Caywood |
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Supervisor Paul Mahoney presents co-owner Daniel Sanchez with a Roanoke County Certificate of Appreciation |
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A new Mexican restaurant, El Mezcal, has moved into 4065 Electric Road close to Tanglewood. We officially welcomed El Mezcal to the Tanglewood area business community by celebrating their official ribbon-cutting and grand opening last month. We also sat down with co-owner Daniel Sanchez for an interview included in the April episode of Roanoke County Business Partners.
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Elbit Sends Roanoke to Mars |
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Elbit Systems of America, located on Plantation Road in the Hollins area, contributed a piece of equipment known as an image intensifier tube to the "SuperCam" on NASA's perseverance rover, which landed on Mars earlier this year. Congratulations to Elbit for sending a piece of Roanoke to Mars!
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Roanoke Company Announces Product Launch & Partnership |
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Roanoke-based cellphone safety technology company, ORIGOSafeDriver, recently launched a new product in partnership with Geotab, a fleet management software company, designed to keep drivers and companies safe from distracted driving. Learn more about ORIGO and their new product in the April episode of Roanoke County Business Partners.
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Oak Grove Plan Set in Motion |
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The Oak Grove Center Plan was adopted on March 23rd, 2021 by Roanoke County and March 15th, 2021 by the City of Roanoke. This plan will be the framework for the future Oak Grove Town Center and guide development of the project over the 20 years.
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American Rescue Plan Act Helps Businesses Recover |
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The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 provides $1.9 trillion in relief and economic stimulus for those affected by the coronavirus. The new law includes:
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Additional allocation to the Paycheck Protection Program, including to expand eligibility to additional nonprofits and digital news services
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Additional allocation to the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program, and now allows businesses to apply for both a PPP loan after Dec. 27, 2020, and the SVOG.
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Additional allocation for Targeted Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance (EIDL) payments.
- NEW: $28.6 billion for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund for industry-focused grants
- NEW: $100 million to establish a Community Navigator pilot program; grants will go to eligible organizations supporting efforts to improve access to COVID–19 pandemic assistance programs and resources.
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Spring into Recreation with Roanoke County Parks and Rec! |
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Salem-Roanoke County Chamber Foundation Scholarship |
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The Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce Foundation has created scholarships to encourage students to pursue further studies in technical and vocational careers. Scholarships of up to $1,000 are available to help up-skill the local workforce and fill vacancies with qualified employees. The scholarship deadline is April 5.
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Catawba Valley Farmers Market Gears up for 2021 Season |
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Catawba Valley Farmers Market (CVFM) begins the 2021 season on May 6 just before Mothers Day. Vendors will have fresh produce, microgreens, meats (beef, pork, chicken), baked goods, hanging baskets, indoor plants, bedding plants (vegetables and flowers), and crafts.
The CVFM will be open on Thursdays from 3 - 6:30 PM beginning May 6, at the Catawba Community Center, 4965 Catawba Creek Road (Rt. 779), just off of Rt. 311 in Catawba.
Anyone interested in selling at CVFM should contact Pam Hall at pscatawba@gmail.com or (540)580-1533.
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Calvin Sowers and his son, Jesse, are planting cold-tolerant plants, such as broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower while we await the warmer weather |
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Town of Vinton Developments |
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Annual Vinton State of the Town Address
Mayor Brad Grose delivers Vinton's annual State of the Town Address to discuss developments in the Town of Vinton over the past year.
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Rosie's Gaming Emporium in Vinton is expanding by adding 15,000 sq. ft. to include 350 additional HHR Terminals, an expanded restaurant and lounge, and a three-story 280 space parking deck. The new expansion is set to open in late 2020.
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Glade Creek Greenway Phase 2A
There will be a ribbon-cutting on April 29th to celebrate the opening of Glade Creek Greenway Phase 2A. This leg of Greenway will run from the Athletic Fields behind the Billy Byrd Apartments on Gus Nicks BLVD along Glade Creek and will terminate at Gearhart Park.
Future construction (2B) will connect this section of Greenway to Walnut Ave and tie into the existing Glade Creek Phase I, that runs from Walnut Ave to Virginia Ave.
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Water Sewer Utility Upgrades
Vinton plans to borrow $4.3 million to complete several water and sewer utility upgrades.
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- $2,050,000 to convert 4,500 residential and 525 commercial customers to remote-read water meters.
- $1,950,000 to upgrade Third St Sanitary Sewer Lift-station
- $370,000 to replace the Town's SCADA System (utility CPU)
- Future projects include replacing 1st St Water Line and bringing on-line the new "Meadows Well" and connect it into the utility system.
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Brownfield Assessments
Vinton will continue to utilize the EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant to pursue Economic Redevelopment Projects for underutilized property within the Town. Currently the Town and its consultant, Draper Aden, are working on assessments and conceptual develop plans for 520 Hardy Rd, 151 W Jackson Ave, 528 E Cleveland Ave, 709 E Jackson Ave and 1333 E Washington Ave.
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Roanoke County & Catawba Sustaunability Center Win Grants |
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Project Outside, an initiative from the Roanoke Outside Foundation, distributed $100,000 in grant funding for projects throughout the Roanoke Region thanks to donations from corporate partners and individuals. Included in the grant recipients is Roanoke County, receiving $15,000 to match other funds and install a new Roanoke River access ramp at Wayside Park. Also included is the Catawba Sustainability Center, receiving $4,200 for improvements to a trail connecting the Center with the Appalachian Trail to provide an alternative parking location for people accessing McAfee Knob.
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"Once a big economic development is announced, it can be years before it comes to fruition. But that wasn’t the case with Mack Trucks Inc., one of North America’s largest producers of heavy-duty trucks, which took only nine months from announcement to starting full production of medium-duty trucks at RVO."
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BR Parkway Announces Roanoke River Bridge Rehab Project |
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National Park Service officials announced the upcoming, full closure of Roanoke River Bridge, at Milepost 114.7, on the Blue Ridge Parkway for a major rehabilitation project. This project includes concrete repairs to bridge piers, reconstruction and drainage repairs to approach areas, removal of existing asphalt surface and waterproofing membrane, installation of new waterproofing membrane and asphalt surface, and repainting of the steel super structure of the bridge. The closure is expected to begin in mid- to late-April and be in place through spring of 2022.
As a result of this bridge project, the NPS will extend a current detour put in place in May of 2020 after to a major road failure on the Parkway.
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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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Innovation Mill, GAUNTLET, and VIDA program at TAF
- Innovation Mill completes its second year
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GAUNTLET graduation: May 27
- Virginia individual Development Accounts (VIDA) program assists families with their first home purchase
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Student Talent Resources for Employers
Click here for an employer resource guide outlining local student talent resources including internships, apprenticeships, and more.
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Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge - VBR Life publication
VBR Life is a complete guide for anyone visiting, living, or doing business in Virginia’s Blue Ridge.
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Journeyman and Mstr. Electrician Licensing Exam Prep Course
April 17th and May 1st
9:00am to 1:00pm
$390 (6 Student Minimum Enrollment)
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Telework!VA Offers FREE Teleworking Assistance
With working remotely becoming more common, businesses need to be sure they're ready. Receive FREE assistance in programming and implementing a telework plan with Telework!VA.
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Events, Workshops, and Resources
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Virginia Western Offers Training Opportunities |
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Late Spring / Summer 2021 courses for Manufacturing - Newly added Heavy Equipment Operator training
- Machining Fundamentals
- Machining – Turning
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Mechatronics Fundamentals – NEW
Mechanical Systems (Note: Fluid Power, Programmable Logic Controllers & Sensors and Robotics will be offered fall semester)
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Spring 2021 School of Career & Corporate Training opportunities |
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Become a competitive candidate with Virginia Western Community College's academic and certification programs. View the Project Management and SHRM prep courses below, and see all course offerings here.
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Roanoke County Business Partners on RVTV |
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On this month’s show, we recap Join the Momentum: Investing in the Future of Tanglewood - a virtual forum diving into the investment opportunity at Tanglewood and the future 419 Town Center. Then we visit El mezcal, a new Mexican restaurant near Tanglewood to speak with co-owner Daniel Sanchez and celebrate their grand opening. Finally we speak with Clay Skelton, CEO of Origo Safe Driver, to learn about his new partnership and product designed to keep drivers of fleet services safe. |
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(540) 772-2069
P.O. Box 29800, Roanoke, VA 24018-0798
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