New River Valley, VA – Virginia’s New River Valley (Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford MSA) recently ranked #63 out of 200 mid-sized metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) for its talent attraction capabilities by Lightcast. This ranking puts the NRV in the top third nationally, signaling that the region is a place where talent and opportunity can thrive together.
Lightcast collects real-time data on the labor market, creating one of the world’s most comprehensive databases on job postings. Their Talent Attraction Scorecard was broken down by MSA population size: large (250,000+), mid-sized (100,000–250,000), small (50,000–100,000), and very small (10,000–50,000). Rankings were determined across seven components, each given equal weight: overall job growth, high-earning job growth, blue-collar job growth, competitive effect, college-educated population growth, attraction of earners, and prime-age population growth.
The NRV excelled in overall job growth and blue-collar job growth, ranking in the top 50 and placing in the top 100 for high-earning job growth, competitive effect, prime-age population growth, and attraction of earners.
This scorecard highlights that the NRV is a competitive community where businesses can find a skilled workforce and professionals can find a rewarding career. As the region continues to attract talented individuals and forward-thinking companies, it’s clear Virginia’s New River Valley is A Natural Fit.
Discover more about Virginia’s New River Valley here.
Read the Lightcast Talent Scorecard here.
Read about the methodology for the report here.
Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.
