Roanoke County Business Partners Newsletter |
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October 2020: Volume 20, 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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TMEIC Selected to Participate in
Virginia Leaders in Export Trade Program
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Roanoke County's TMEIC has been accepted by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) into their two-year Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program. The VALET program assists companies in the Commonwealth that are committed to international exporting as a growth strategy. To participate, each business must meet both quantitative and qualitative selection criteria, and participating firms are chosen based on their dedication to growing export sales. To date, 359 Virginia companies have been accepted to participate in the VALET program.
“During this time when businesses need growth opportunities more than ever, we are proud to have a proven program like VALET available to propel Virginia exporters to compete in the global marketplace.” - Stephen Moret, VEDP President and CEO Read More about VALET
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Roanoke County Center for Research and Technology
Gets an Upgrade
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Appalachian Power representatives plan upgrades to the electric transmission system in Roanoke County as part of the Glenmary Substation Project.
The project involves building the following in the Roanoke County Center for Research and Technology (CRT):
- A new office building for Appalachian Power equipment and employees
- A substation
- Approximately a quarter of a mile of transmission line
“This investment provides benefits for both our company and the community,” said Larry Jackson, director of external affairs for Appalachian Power. “The substation and transmission line will power our new office building. The project is also expected to improve electric reliability for nearby customers, while supporting the area’s economic development efforts by making the CRT more marketable to prospective businesses.” Learn more about the Glenmary Substation Project
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Mack Truck’s RVO production is in full-swing! |
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Mack Trucks’ all-new Mack MD Series of medium-duty vehicles went from prototype to production right here in the Roanoke Valley, and things are rolling right along.
“Mack Trucks is very proud of the dedication of the [Roanoke Valley Operations] team, who worked tirelessly to begin full production amidst the challenges of COVID-19,” - Martin Weissburg, President of Mack Trucks.
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Economic Development Welcomes New Specialist |
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Roanoke County Economic Development welcomes Marshall Stanley to their team as the new Economic Development Specialist. Marshall is a Roanoke native and a recent graduate from the University of Lynchburg. Following graduation, Marshall served the Blue Ridge office of Virginia Career Works as their Program Liaison before moving to the City of Lynchburg to join the Office of Economic Development and Tourism there.
Marshall has landed himself in Roanoke once again and is extremely excited to join the County’s Economic Development staff. He’s delighted to be back near the Roanoke Greenways, diverse hiking trails, and the rich local restaurant community. Welcome, Marshall!
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SafetyStep takes part in two economic development programs |
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Roanoke County business Safety Step has been approved for and enrolled in VEDP’s Regional Export Program, which helps companies develop and expand international sales and provides reimbursement up to $10,000 for export-related expenses. Safety Step was also accepted into the Economic Gardening Program offered by VEDP in partnership with the National Center for Economic Gardening. This program offers “Stage 2” Companies (traded-sector businesses with annual revenue $1m-$50m, 10-99 employees, and the potential for significant growth) the opportunity to obtain customized research for key strategic business decisions. To learn more about these and other programs, contact Economic Development Manager, Tom Rowley at trowley@roanokecountyva.gov.
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ICYMI: Tacos Rojas open in Keagy Village |
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Tacos Rojas has opened a new location in Roanoke County and we couldn't be more excited about it. The Keagy Village location opened June 14 during the COVID-19 pandemic but business is moving right along according to manager Fernando Rojas. This locally loved Mexican restaurant is a great addition to the Roanoke County foodie scene, with its first two locations being in Grandin and Downtown Roanoke. "We're really happy to be here in the county," says Rojas. "The people are really nice and so is the area." |
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Virginia Western announces NEW Mechatronics Fundamentals and Heavy Equipment Operator training |
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Check out Virginia Western Community College’s School of Career and Corporate Training courses to train and certify employees for in-demand jobs.
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Regional accelerator receives nearly $1M federal grant |
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RAMP helps grow startup companies in Roanoke Valley |
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The U.S. Department of Commerce announced that it has awarded nearly $1 million in grant funding to the Valleys Innovation Council (VIC) for its Regional Accelerator and Mentoring Program (RAMP), which is targeted at helping to grow startup companies in the Roanoke and New River Valley region.
VIC will receive $982,000 in funding as one of 52 national grant recipients of the Commerce Department’s $35 million Build to Scale grant program. Tech, health, and life science startups in the GO Virginia Region 2 footprint (New River Valley, Roanoke Valley, Alleghany Highlands and Greater Lynchburg regions)will be the target industries for this program.
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Governor Northam expands $70M Rebuild VA program |
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Governor Northam announced Monday, September 21 that the $70 million economic recovery program Rebuild! VA is expanding its eligibility criteria to allow small businesses that have received other federal CARES Act funding to apply for economic relief grants of up to $10,000.
Businesses that apply must:
- Have gross revenues of no more than $1.5 million and no more than 25 employees
- Show that their normal operations were limited by Northam’s Executive Orders 53 or 54 or that they were directly affected by business closure
- Certify that they will use the funding only for recurring expenses and that the grant will not be used to cover the same expenses as CARES Act funding
Roanoke County Economic Development thanks you for being a resilient member of our business community. If you have not already applied for the Rebuild! VA Grant Fund and are now eligible, we encourage you to apply and receive the relief you deserve.
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Virginia's Blue Ridge Tourism Marks Record 2019 |
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Preparations are Underway for 2020 Fall and Holiday Season Recovery |
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Before the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism in Virginia’s Blue Ridge (VBR) topped a record $920 million in direct travel expenditures during 2019, an increase of 3% over the previous year (U.S. Travel Association). Tourism also generated 8,177 jobs in the VBR region and $66 million in state and local taxes. The increase was largely attributed to the opening of new hotels and restaurants, an increase in sports tournaments, growth of meetings and conferences, enhanced transportation options, unique outdoor recreation options like Explore Park, festivals and events, the diversity of arts and culture, top cuisine and craft beverages and so much more. Virginia’s Blue Ridge continues to thrive as a metro mountain vacation destination. Read More about VBR
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The Catawba Valley Farmers Market 2020 season coming to an end |
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The 2020 season for the Catawba Valley Farmers Market (CVFM) will come to an end on October 15. Vendors are still bringing some late summer produce to the Market, with a wide array of fall produce and fruits during the remaining three weeks of the Market. Local beef, bacon, sausage, honey and an extensive selection of baked goods will also be featured. Folks looking for decorative Fall items will find colorful pansies, several colors of mums, small and large pumpkins, gourds, and concrete leaves and planters for the garden.
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Incentivizing Commuter Behavior Doesn’t Have to Cost a Dime |
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Employers: Did you know that a prime parking space is an ideal way for employers to encourage employees to try sustainable transportation modes? One or two “Reserved for Carpool” or “Reserved for Vanpool” spaces near the front entrance to your business, or even properly installed bike racks, can be an incredibly effective incentive.
Further, your customers seeing these signs and racks will know that you are committed to supporting sustainable transportation.
And best of all, the only thing you’re out is the cost of a sign!
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County Events and Updates |
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Congratulations to the Roanoke County Public Library for being chosen for the 2020 Public Innovator Award
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The Awards & Recognition Committee of the Virginia Library Association (VLA)announced that the staff of Roanoke County Public Library have been chosen for the 2020 Public Innovator Award. This award recognizes public librarians or public library project teams who have made an outstanding contribution to advance the mission of a public library in Virginia through an innovative project, program or service during the nomination period. This group was selected for their commitment to equitable access to high-tech for everyone and with the tagline "We’ll meet you at your wonder" as a guide, the RCPL team has embraced the world of artificial intelligence, robotics, and coding full throttle. Through innovative programming and first-of-its-kind technology offerings, they are building a community of strong digital citizens who will understand all of technology’s promises, and also recognize its potential pitfalls.
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News, Events and Announcements |
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GO Fest Pivots in 2020 with Small Events
Oct. 16-18
The Anthem Roanoke GO Outside Festival (GO Fest) isn’t happening in the traditional sense. The event, which is put on by the Roanoke Outside Foundation and Roanoke Parks and Recreation, will not happen in person due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but you can show your outdoor community spirit in other ways. Learn More about GO Outside
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RAMP: Demo Day
Oct. 15 | 3:30 - 5:30 PM
Join us as we hear from RAMP’s fourth cohort as they showcase their businesses and their experiences at RAMP! Register Here
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Passenger Traffic Continues to Rebound at Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport
August 2020 traffic up 3% over July 2020
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Leadercast 2020 Ripple Effect
Woman's Conference
The Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce invites women across the valley to join us for a one-day leadership conference on October 15th at the Salem Civic Center. Walk through your professional journey with the confidence and the keys to creating truly long-lasting change that can ripple to influence others to be authentic, people-focused leaders. Gain those crucial leadership elements from experiencing Leadercast Women 2020 - Ripple Effect and take with you those gems of wisdom from our cast of six world-leading women.
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The Advancement Foundation is beyond excited to bring a hybrid version of Gauntlet to the 2021 class! The hybrid version of Gauntlet gives the opportunity to incorporate the virtual ability to connect with resources across regions while also being able to safely maintain the high-spirited and in-person synergies!
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Blue Ridge Parkway Detour
A section of the Blue Ridge Parkway is currently closed around the Roanoke area in Virginia's Blue Ridge. As a result of heavy rains and landslides, the Blue Ridge Parkway is currently closed from Milepost 115.5 to Milepost 135.9. Road hazards at Milepost 119.7 and Milepost 127.9 have led to the closure.
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The Roanoke County Department of Elections
has moved
They are now located at 900 Chestnut St in Vinton, 24179. For details regarding voting in the November election, please visit their website
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Refocus and Rebuild Second Webinar Series
Continuing Business Post-Pandemic
Virginia Community Capital has partnered with the Virginia Small Business Development Center Network, GENEDGE, UVA Wise Office of Economic Development and Southwest Virginia Alliance of Manufacturing to present a series of webinars focused around helping businesses recover and become more resilient if faced with another pandemic/disaster. This series will be presented by professionals within their industry providing the most up-to-date information and resources.
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Virginia SBSD Offers One-on-One
Business Counseling
The Virginia SBSD is offering free 1-hour one-on-one virtual counseling as the region approaches recovery and reopening. By appointment only. Request an Appointment
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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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OSHA Programming has Resumed at the
Roanoke Higher Education Center
October 5-9
Safety Management Techniques
November 16-18
OSHA 2264 Permit-Required Confined Space Entry
November 19
Confined Space Train the trainer
December 7-10
OSHA 510 Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Construction Industry
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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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Innovation Commercialization Assistance Program
Applications Due October 19 at midnight
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Based on the National Science Foundation’s I-Corps™ program for Lean Startups, ICAP helps inventors and entrepreneurs take the right first steps in bringing new technologies and innovations to market.
ICAP includes FREE introductory training programs and counseling services offered through ICAP instructors and local SBDC counselors. ICAP helps startups identify potential customers and develop successful business models based on that knowledge. It is an ideal program for early-stage companies trying to prepare for eventual venture investment.
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1:1 Advising
Ignite your entrepreneurial spirit with the small business champions at the Roanoke Regional Small Business Development Center.
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Attention all Entrepreneurs!
Business Smart Start is THE class for individuals currently in business and the business owners of the future. Don't miss out on your chance to receive a wealth of knowledge at no cost!
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Roanoke County Business Partners on RVTV |
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This month's show highlights TMEIC and its participation in VEDP's Virginia Leaders in Export Trade program; an exciting announcement from Professional Network Services (now known as Responsive Technology Partners); and an interview with Greg Feldmann, CEO of Roanoke Blacksburg Technology Council and Valleys Innovation Council on grants, strategic alliances and more. |
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540.772.2069
P.O. Box 29800, Roanoke, VA 24018-0798
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