Roanoke County Business Partners Newsletter |
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October 2021: Volume 21, 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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How Would You ELEVATE Roanoke County? |
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Engage with Roanoke County Economic Development on either Oct. 21, 6 PM at Green Ridge Recreation Center or Oct. 26, 6 PM, at South County Library to provide feedback on driving economic growth in Roanoke County for the next five years. Attendees will be able to provide comments and ask questions about the ELEVATE Roanoke County 2026 draft Economic Development Strategic Plan.
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Carilion Childrens' at Tanglewood is Open for Patients |
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Carilion Children's newest outpatient location at Tanglewood announced the openings of their various services. Carilion Children's is now accepting patients for their Pediatric Surgery, Adolescent Medicine, Gastroenterology and Endocrinology, Neurology and Clinical Genetics, and other departments. Learn more on the October episode of Roanoke County Business Partners.
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Roanoke County & Town of Vinton Recognized for Excellence in Economic Development |
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Roanoke County and the Town of Vinton were recognized by the International Economic Development Council as part of the 2021 Excellence in Economic Development Awards. The Town of Vinton Business District Revitalization Project won the Bronze Award for the Public-Private Partnerships category of localities with a population between 25,000 - 200,000. The Revitalization project includes the redevelopments of the former William Byrd High School, the Roland E. Cooke Lofts, the former Vinton Libary, Vinyard Station, and Gish Mill.
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Catawba Greenway Grand Opening |
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A ribbon-cutting was held at the Catawba Sustainability Center to officially open the Catawba Greenway. The trail is almost three miles and serves as an alternate link to McAfee Knob through the Appalachian Trail. This partnership between Virginia Tech and Roanoke County provides access to the Appalachian Trail and incredible scenery in the Catawba Valley. Learn more on the October episode of Roanoke County Business Partners.
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Roanoke Region is Top 10 for Remote Working |
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LinkedIn’s Workforce Insights has recognized Roanoke as a top ten small metro for remote workers with the publication of their “Top 20 Cities to Pursue Faraway Jobs” list. This ranking is based on the percentage of applicants for remote work, and Roanoke landed 11.1% higher than the national average. Key factors like infrastructure, culture, and a support system (like co-working spaces) make the Roanoke Region an ideal hotspot for remote workers.
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Gish Mill in Vinton Receives Historical Landmark Designation |
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The Virginia Department of Historic Resources last month officially added The Gish Mill in Vinton to the Virginia Landmarks Register. The Mill, situated along the south bank of Glade Creek in Roanoke County’s Town of Vinton, ceased operations in 2000. Gish Mill is a current redevelopment project in the Town of Vinton with plans to renovate it into a hub for local dining, entertainment, and lodging. This property will be redeveloped into a multi-use location, designed to be a restaurant overlooking Glade Creek, apartments, a marketplace, and more.
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Grand Openings in Roanoke County |
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Stubby's Bistro & Pub
This new local restaurant is in the former Veranda Bistro space located at 8201 Williamson Road in Hollins. Stubby's offers Italian, Greek, and American menu items.
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Alt Offices
Alt Offices (stylized @lt Offices) is a new coworking space in Vinton offerings office space rental options for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Alt offices is located at 1337 Hardy Road.
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Tractor Supply Co.
Tractor Supply Co. opened a Vinton location in the former Big Lots location at Lake Drive Plaza, located at 981 Hardy Road.
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Apprentices Shine on Signing Night |
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L-R: Russ Johnson, Amy Fulton, Matthew Dillon |
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Roanoke County Public Schools recognized students participating in the 2021 Registered Student Apprenticeship program at Salem Memorial Ballpark last month. This year, Medeco is bringing aboard Roanoke County student, Matthew Dillon, as a machining apprentice. Congratulations to Matthew and Medeco!
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Roanoke County 200 Plan Community Meetings |
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The Roanoke County 200 Plan is a major update to the Comprehensive Plan. It belongs to every citizen of Roanoke County. Please join us for a Roanoke County 200 Plan meeting in your community this month! All meetings will be open house-style from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM.
Clearbrook: Clearbrook Elementary School - Thursday, October 7
Windsor Hills: Brambleton Center - Monday, October 11
Cave Spring: South County Library - Monday, October 18
Back Creek: Back Creek Elementary School - Thursday, October 28
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October Hiring Event with Virginia Career Works |
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Virginia Career Works - Blue Ridge Region is hosting an in-person hiring event on Thursday, Oct. 14 from 1 - 4 PM at the Roanoke One Stop Center.
Meet with 20 local employers and find a career that works for you!
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Leadership Appointments in Roanoke |
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RIDE Solutions Announces New Director
Please welcome Andrea Garland as the new Director of RIDE Solutions. Andrea brings experience in transportation, mobility planning, and a long history of advocacy for multi-modal transportation options both within the Roanoke community and elsewhere. Congratulations, Andrea!
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North Cross Announces New Head of School
Please welcome Elizabeth Armistead Lemon as the new Head of School for North Cross School. Elizabeth (class of ’95) is the first woman to lead North Cross School and the first alumna to serve in the position. Congratulations, Elizabeth!
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Business Resources from the Virginia SBDC |
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Innovation Commercialization Assistance Program (ICAP)
ICAP helps Virginia-based technology and innovation-driven startups on their path to success. ICAP works with startups to provide support along their entire journey towards scaling – from the early idea stage, all the way through working on Series A level of funding.
International Trade
The Virginia SBDC International Business Development Program works with Virginia-based firms to enhance their global success. Our Certified Global Business Professionals provide confidential counseling, training, and customized research to help companies mitigate risks, prioritize markets, identify financing, and grow export sales.
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Save Money on Tuition for In-demand Fields with G3 |
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This year, Governor Ralph Northam launched the G3 Program to help make attaining a college education more accessible for Virginians via the Virginia Community College System. G3 is a "last dollar" program that pays the difference for tuition once other financial aid has already been applied, potentially bringing the out-of-pocket cost to $0.
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Requirements for qualification include:
- Qualifies for in-state tuition
- Has a total household income of less than or equal to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (roughly an income of $100,000 for a family of four)
- Is enrolled for a minimum of six credit hours at a local community college
- Has earned a high school diploma or GED
- Is enrolled in a designated G3 program
- Has applied for federal and/or state financial aid
Learn more about the G3 Program and how to enroll Here.
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NEW Fall Manufacturing Courses at VWCC
**All available through G3
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VEDP International Trade Resources for Businesses |
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Market Research & Reports
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VEDP's International Market Research Now Offered in 87 Countries - VEDP’s team of international research consultants provides customized market research for Virginia businesses. With the addition of several new markets, including Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, Ethiopia, Uruguay, Ecuador, Paraguay, Macau, and Taiwan, this research is now available in 87 countries. For more information, contact your local International Trade representative.
Upcoming Webinars and Events
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Local Produce and Crafts at Catawba Valley Farmers Market |
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The Catawba Valley Farmers Market (CVFM) is still providing fresh summer market options, but vendors will soon transition to fall vegetables and fruits with some late summer produce available. In anticipation of the upcoming holiday shopping season, more artisans will display their handmade arts and crafts during September and October.
CVFM will not hold their annual Holiday Market this fall, so consumers are encouraged to do their holiday shopping at the weekly markets.
CVFM is located at 4965 Catawba Creek Road (Rt. 779), in Catawba, and is open Thursdays from 3 - 6:30 PM.
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Return to Earn Program Update - No Match required |
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The Return to Earn program now offers eligible small businesses the $500 employee hiring incentive award without requiring a match from the company.
New hires must:
•Be a W-2 employee
•Be offered a position that pays at least $15.00 per hour
•Can be either part-time or full-time
•Self-attest that they were unemployed prior to being offered employment.
Funding for this program is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Learn more about Return to Earn and apply Here
Read Return to Earn FAQs Here
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Roanoke County $14 Million Surplus
Roanoke County was able to compound operational savings with federal Coronavirus aid to currently hold a surplus that will help fund outstanding projects and give back to our community.
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Adventure Saturday at Explore Park
October 16, 10 AM to 3 PM
The final Adventure Saturday of 2021 will take place at Explore Park on October 16th from 10 AM to 3 PM! Join Roanoke County Parks, Rec & Tourism for a day of expanded activities including Treetop Quest, twilight zipline experience, nature activities, live music, disc golf demos, and more!
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The GAUNTLET Applications Open Soon
Applications for the 2022 GAUNTLET business development program and competition open on Tuesday, Nov. 2nd.
The Innovation Mill at The Advancement Foundation is launching a Pilot program to increase Agricultural Innovation.
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Virginia Values Vets FREE in-person Training
Oct.13, 9 AM - 3 PM at South County Library
Virginia’s Department of Veterans Services will host a FREE in-person employer training on the topics of Military Transition, Veteran employment /retention, and provide resources to employers seeking to hire from within the Veteran and Military Spouse community.
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App Makes Finding Virginia Businesses Easier
The Start Small app, developed by the Virginia Dept. of Transportation, helps make it easy to find small Virginia businesses. Users can refine their searches if they only want to see small businesses owned by women, minorities, or service-disabled veterans.
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Virginia Tech Roanoke Center Courses
Save The Date: Virginia Tech’s Annual Lean Conference will be held Feb. 23-24, 2022, at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center
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It's Fall in Virginia's Blue Ridge
From May 2021 to spring 2022, the Blue Ridge Parkway will be closed from Milepost 112.2 (Route 24 near Vinton) to Milepost 136 (Route 221 on Bent Mountain) for thru-travelers
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Events, Workshops, and Resources
Upcoming Roanoke Regional SBDC events include:
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Roanoke County Business Partners on RVTV |
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On this month’s show, we visit Carilion Children’s at their new location inside Tanglewood after their highly anticipated opening in September. Then we head to the Catawba Sustainability Center for the ribbon cutting of the new Catawba Greenway Trailhead and Blue Blaze Trail at the Center. Finally, we recognize the 2021 Roanoke County Student Apprentices at their recognition night and we dive deeper into how the apprenticeship program is developing a local talent pipeline.
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(540) 772-2069
P.O. Box 29800, Roanoke, VA 24018-0798
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