Accolade
Prestar Wins VA Manufacturing Award
Montgomery County, VA – Prestar Packaging recently won 1st Place and earned the title of The Coolest Thing Made in Virginia in the 2025 Virginia
November 21, 2025
I-81 runs through the heart of the NRV, and the region has easy access to I-77 and I-64. This makes transportation to large distribution centers in the Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest markets easy for many of the advanced manufacturing businesses in the area.
The workforce is both entrepreneurial in spirit and loyal; employees tend to stay here for a long time. Plus, institutions like Virginia Tech, Radford University, and New River Community College provide ample researchers, upper-level talent, and technically skilled employees.
The region’s diverse and innovative business community is very collaborative. Home to many foreign-based corporations and technology companies, organizations in the NRV benefit from an approachable network of professionals.
Ben Reid, Production Specialist at Celanese
Rich in natural resources, activities, and breathtaking views, the outdoors in the NRV provides a constant source of entertainment for adrenaline junkies and leisure-seekers alike. Whether you want to spend your time relaxing on the water, hiking up a mountain, or biking on roads or trails, Virginia’s New River Valley has something unique to offer you.
Nanci Hardwick, Aeroprobe & MELD CEO
With a workforce that’s both entrepreneurial and highly loyal, advanced manufacturers in the NRV benefit from employees who stay and grow with their companies. Local institutions like Virginia Tech, Radford University, and New River Community College provide ample researchers, upper-level talent, and technically skilled employees.
Our easy access to I-81 and I-77 makes reaching major distribution centers in the Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest simple. We’re less than four hours from Washington, D.C., Charlotte, NC, and Richmond, VA—and just 6-8 hours from big cities like New York, Atlanta, Norfolk, and Indianapolis. In the NRV, you can savor the tranquility of small-town life while having easy big-city access.
Access a sophisticated culture of research and innovation through our world-class universities and an array of companies that are pushing the boundaries of their industries. Join a region that combines hometown warmth with big city research. (Photo by Peter Means for Virginia Tech)
Virginia Tech has created a fully integrated one-stop shop for researchers to accelerate innovation in additive manufacturing, advanced materials, and smart manufacturing. Virginia Tech Made provides unmatched access across multiple disciplines with state-of-the-art equipment to reshape how things are made.
A foreign trade zone (FTZ) is a secure and enclosed area, located near or in a Port of Entry. An FTZ is considered to be outside U.S. customs territory, meaning that foreign and domestic materials or merchandise may be moved into it without being subject to U.S. customs duties until the goods enter U.S. commerce. The New River Valley is a part of FTZ #238.
Virginia’s New River Valley is much more than an area with beautiful scenery and diverse people. It is a perfect location to let your business flourish. Explore available sites and buildings in the NRV that are “A Natural Fit” to help your business grow.
Vince Hatcher, Plant Manager at Hollingsworth & Vose
Career & Technical Education in the NRV public schools flourishes due to partnership with companies that provide students with enhanced skills development and career awareness.
Engineering Design Technology Associate’s Degree
Engineering Design Technology Certificate
Instrumentation and Control Automation Associate’s Degree
Advanced Manufacturing: Instrumentation and Control Automation Certificate
Machine Technology Associate’s Degree
Industrial Maintenance Certificate
Machine Shop Operations Diploma
Machine Operations Certificate
A foreign trade zone (FTZ) is a secure and enclosed area, located near or in a Port of Entry. An FTZ is considered to be outside U.S. customs territory, meaning that foreign and domestic materials or merchandise may be moved into it without being subject to U.S. customs duties until the goods enter U.S. commerce. The New River Valley is a part of FTZ #238.
Franky Marchand, Vice President & GM of Volvo Trucks NRV Plant
Montgomery County, VA – Prestar Packaging recently won 1st Place and earned the title of The Coolest Thing Made in Virginia in the 2025 Virginia
Montgomery County, VA – Virginia Tech recently announced it is partnering with Canadian company Aclara Technologies to build a pilot plant at the Virginia Tech
Montgomery County, VA – Virginia Tech recently announced the launch of Virginia Tech MADE: The Center for Advanced Manufacturing. The center, housed within the Institute
We’d love to talk to you about all NRV has to offer you and your business.
Email us today to learn more about how NRV can support your goals.
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