Pulaski County Turkey

Pulaski County Expanding International Business Recruitment Efforts to the Republic of Turkey

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~ Economic Development Team Visits Turkish Embassy to Begin Shaping New Business Relationships with Companies Looking to Make Foreign Direct Investment into U.S. ~

FROM PULASKI COUNTY, VA – October 29, 2018, the Pulaski County Board of Supervisors and the Pulaski County Economic Development Authority (EDA) expanded their business and industrial recruitment efforts to the Republic of Turkey. Pulaski County, hosting the title of Southwestern Virginia’s Center of International Business, is further extending its welcoming and supportive community for international companies to Turkey.

The County’s economic development team traveled to Washington D.C. to meet and discuss recruitment strategies with leading international business tacticians, as well as Turkey’s Office of the Commercial Counselor. While in D.C., County Administrator Jonathan D. Sweet and Economic Development Director Michael Solomon visited the Turkish Embassy and discussed business cultivation opportunities with top Turkish commercial attachés. The aim was to gain connectivity to Turkish companies looking to establish a U.S. presence.

“We would like Turkish companies to do business in Pulaski County, Virginia,” stated Mustafa Koca, Chief Commercial Counselor. “What we have learned of Pulaski County sounds most promising and we would like to try and set up a trip to come visit the county in hopes of developing meaningful partnerships.”

Turkey is defined as an emerging market economy by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and is among the world’s developed countries according to the CIA World Factbook. It is one of the world’s newly industrialized countries with the world’s 17th-largest nominal gross domestic product (GDP) and 13th-largest GDP by purchasing power parity. The country is among the world’s leading producers of agricultural products; textiles; motor vehicles, transportation equipment; construction materials; consumer electronics and home appliances.

“In looking at Turkey’s main industrial sectors, they are very similar to what Pulaski County has historically produced as well as where we have evolved to in the advanced manufacturing arena,” stated Jonathan D. Sweet, County Administrator. “We feel there are great opportunities for Turkish companies to utilize our international business-friendly environment and skilled workforce, as well as tap into our innovative research and leading edge cybersecurity programs at Virginia Tech and Radford University.”

Home to a diverse advanced manufacturing cluster and an existing concentration of international industries (nine (9) – Sweden, Brazil, Mexico, Australian, Great Britain, Germany, Canada, Columbia and Poland), Pulaski County has honed its wrap-around business support services to provide specific resources and foreign direct investment expertise that are valuable to international businesses and the relocation of their management teams.

“The Board of Supervisors and the EDA are committed to further diversifying and growing our economy and feel international business development, specifically with Turkey, could play a large role in doing just that,” stated Andy McCready, Chair, Pulaski County Board of Supervisors. “We have done a good job of laying the ground work for our team to successfully recruit with the establishment of our Foreign Trade Zone (#238), the International Port of Entry, innovative workforce development programs, our variety of available product and our sincere desire to do business with foreign companies.”

International companies continue to locate and thrive in Pulaski County, with more than 1,000 new jobs having come from these companies in the last 18 months. It is deduced that the county’s skilled and resilient labor force, its low cost of doing business, its transportation infrastructure and an array of partnership opportunities has been the foundation to the robust growth patterns of companies that call Pulaski County home.

“The logistics of and connectivity to existing local and regional foreign-owned enterprises and OEM’s, along with their supply chains, makes Pulaski County one of the most commonsensical locations to locate new U.S. based operations,” stated John Wyatt, Chair, Economic Development Authority. “We are also quite fortunate to have distinct local and regional assets that are attractive to our foreign friends that include our storied heritage, an abundance of outdoor activities, a diverse expat community, cultural entertainment and a growing creative class that continues to enrich our region.”

Turkey is a transcontinental country in Eurasia and Middle East, located mainly in Western Asia, with a smaller portion on the Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. Turkey is bordered by eight countries: Greece and Bulgaria to the northwest; Georgia to the northeast; Armenia, the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan and Iran to the east; and Iraq and Syria to the south. The country is encircled by seas on three sides, with the Aegean Sea to the west, the Black Sea to the north, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. The Bosphorus, the Sea of Marmara, and the Dardanelles, which together form the Turkish Straits, divide Thrace and Anatolia and separate Europe from Asia. Ankara is the capital while Istanbul is the country’s largest city and main cultural and commercial centre, classified as a leading global city. Turkey is a charter member of the UN, an early member of NATO, the IMF and the World Bank, and a founding member of the OECD, OSCE, BSEC, OIC and G-20.

Contact: Jonathan D. Sweet, ICMA-CM
County Administrator
Pulaski County, Virginia
(540) 980-7705
jsweet@pulaskicounty.org

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Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly-skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

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.

Energy Star Rankings

The NRV Ranked No. 8 Energy Star Small City

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VIRGINIA’S NEW RIVER VALLEY – The Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford MSA (commonly known as Virginia’s New River Valley) was ranked the number 8 Energy Star small city of 2018.

The NRV has a long history of being a good steward with natural resources and protecting the environment. The people of the NRV have a deep connection with nature and are committed to preserving the region, especially because the resources (like the New River) are so fun to use.

Energy Star Rankings

Top 10 Energy Star Cities of 2018 (Small MSAs)

1. Midland, TX
2. Odessa, TX
3. Greenville, NC
4. Jackson, MI
5. San Angelo, TX
6. Sioux City, IA
7. Junction City, KS
8. New River Valley, VA
9. Santa Fe, NM
10. Martinsville, VA

The top cities were determined by looking at how many Energy Star certified buildings were in each MSA (metropolitan statistical area).

Energy Star certified buildings are more energy efficient than most of other similar buildings in the U.S. Energy Star buildings have saved more than $4.5 billion since 1999.

For more information about the rankings, visit Energy Star.

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Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly-skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

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.

NRV Top Posts of 2018

NRV Ranked No. 6 Top Job Market of 2018

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VIRGINIA’S NEW RIVER VALLEY – The Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford MSA (commonly known as Virginia’s New River Valley) keeps topping charts. The NRV was ranked the number 6 top job market of 2018 by Zippia.

The rankings were determined by looking at unemployment rate, unemployment rate change, and wage change.

Top 10 Job Markets of 2018:

1. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA (Silicon Valley area)
2. San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA
3. Odessa, TX
4. Midland, TX
5. Charleston-North Charleston, SC
6. New River Valley, VA
7. Florence, SC
8. Ann Arbor, MI
9. Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
10. Roanoke, VA

The rankings considered 386 metro areas of varying sizes. For more information on the rankings, visit Zippia, “The Career Expert.”

This ranking was also used by USA Today.

Looking for work in the NRV? Start with the Job Opportunities tab under Live Here.

Header photo: Excella, agile tech firm, Blacksburg

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Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly-skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

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.

Blue Ridge Fudge Lady

Blue Ridge Fudge Lady Featured on Fox Business

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A Virginia’s New River Valley favorite, the Blue Ridge Fudge Lady (aka Robin Burdette), was featured on FoxBusiness last week.

Burdette went from Cybersecurity professional, to pursuing a practical passion project: opening her own chocolate shop.

Watch the video:

Read more from Emily DeCiccio from FoxBusiness.

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Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly-skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

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.

Onward NRV Hosts VEDP Technologies & Services Team

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Onward NRV, with the help of local partners, hosted the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) Technologies and Services Team to tour Virginia’s New River Valley on October 17th and 18th.

The visit was tailored to part of the team’s focus and one of the NRV targeted industries: Information Technology.

The tour kicked off with a dinner at Mountain Lake Lodge, which gave the opportunity to stop at a gorgeous scenic overlook in Giles County.

tour Virginia's New River Valley

Guests began the tour with a regional overview presentation and information about Virginia Tech from John Provo, Director of the VT Office of Economic Development, and the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center from CEO Joe Meredith, PhD. Both the university and the research park are significant assets for new or existing IT companies.

Next, the tour stopped at Rackspace to talk about talent recruitment and take a quick tour to see a prominent example of an IT company in the NRV.

tour Virginia's New River Valley

The first building tour was at the Coleman-Vaughan building in Pulaski. The vintage building is full of character and unique architecture. Walking to lunch at Al’s on First allowed for a brief walking tour of downtown Pulaski and an overview of some of the redevelopment projects in the area.

The group also had a chance to visit Radford University Corporate Park, a great location for an IT company, and visit with Matt Dunleavy, the director of the Vinod Chachra IMPACT lab.

Then, guests tour the Radford University ARTIS lab and heard from faculty and staff about the amazing offerings RU has for IT companies, such as customized coursework and connections to internships.

tour Virginia's New River Valley

The last stop on the tour was in Floyd at the Floyd Innovation Center. The local incubator is a great place for an IT company to set up. A newer tenant, Tendergrass Farms, was able to share their story of innovation and their process of meeting agriculture with technology.

tour Virginia's New River Valley

The short tour, which reached each county and city in less than one day, was a great opportunity to tell the story of Information Technology in Virginia’s New River Valley.

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Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly-skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

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.

virginia tech engineering

Virginia Tech College of Engineering Moves Up to #13 in U.S.

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BLACKSBURG, VA – The Virginia Tech College of Engineering rose one spot in the U.S. News & World Report Best College Rankings. The college is now number 13 among all national engineering programs.

virginia tech engineering

The college still holds the number 9 spot among public universities.

“We continue to be sought after by the best and brightest future engineers, seeing a 20 percent increase in applications this year,” said Julia M. Ross, the Paul and Dorothea Torgersen Dean of Engineering. “The college is poised to fulfill our land-grant mission and responsibility to fuel the pipeline of a globally astute, diverse workforce and academic leaders. It all starts with shaping young minds.”

Virginia Tech continues to be a huge asset in the NRV, helping to produce a steady pipeline of talent for our area.

The U.S. News & World Report rankings are based on peer assessment, retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, graduation rates, and alumni giving.

For more information about the ranking, visit the Virginia Tech News post.

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Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly-skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

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.

TORC Onward NRV

TORC Continues to Receive National Media Attention

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TORC, a leader in the unmanned systems industry, continues to roll out groundbreaking technology that puts the growing company and Virginia’s New River Valley on the map.

Recently dubbed Blacksburg’s “poster child” by the Roanoke Times, TORC has long been celebrated as an important asset.

TORC recently unveiled a new autonomous vehicle – a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica that contains the same technology as Asimov, but with a much more inconspicuous look.

TORC Onward NRV Pacifica Blacksburg

The new priority for TORC is commercialization; it’s less about showing off and more about showing up.

“We’ve been waiting for the time when it would be feasible to apply our system to consumer cars,” said TORC CEO Michael Fleming in a post on TORC’s website. “That time is now. Last year we were focused on proving the technology works. This year our focus is moving forward with commercialization.”

Virginia’s New River Valley has a large presence of both advanced manufacturing and software development, both of which the unmanned systems industry requires. The presence of a company like TORC legitimizes the area as a hub for unmanned systems.

“For [Torc] to be making a significant impact in the industry and them being located here really helps justify why we say it’s a great place for unmanned systems,” said Onward NRV Executive Director Charlie Jewell in a interview with the Roanoke Times.

TORC’s presence in the region helps spur activity for the industry and calls attention to applicable regional assets.

TORC was also recently covered in Site Selection Magazine by Ron Starner, the Executive Vice President of Conway, Inc. during the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center’s VIP Media Day.

Starner had the chance to experience TORC’s self-driving technology firsthand.

TORC CEO Michael Fleming Onward NRV

“It would be my first ride ever in a self-driving car,” said Starner. “It likely won’t be my last. For the next half hour, the Torc-driven SUV navigated sharp curves, merged onto a busy highway, passed slow-moving trucks, avoided over-eager gawkers, and obeyed every law of the road, all in a steady rain in Appalachian hills, and did it flawlessly.”

Fleming helped Starner discover what locals have known for awhile: Virginia’s New River Valley is great for Unmanned Systems.

“Having 30,000 students in our backyard is an advantage,” Said Fleming. “The relatively low cost of living and the fact that the state of Virginia does not overregulate self-driving technology are big advantages for the work we do. Plus, we have the mountains, rural roads, fog, rain and snow — all the elements needed to fully validate self-driving technology.”

As the Unmanned Systems industry continues to grow, so will TORC. The company has grown more in the past year than it has in the previous ten.

TORC continues to draw national attention and be a local source of pride, proving this is just the beginning of UAS in the NRV.

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Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly-skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

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.

VTCRC VIP Media Day Brings Global Attention to the NRV

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BLACKSBURG, VA – The Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center (VTCRC) hosted over 20 local, regional, and global media to the park for VIP Media Day last month. The exclusive event focused on recruitment opportunities for the VTCRC and highlighted the park and it’s current tenants in the media.

“VIP Media Day is the first time we have invited media to the research park,” said Joe Meredith, Ph.D., president and CEO of the VTCRC. “I am excited to showcase the tenant companies’ accomplishments and global impact.”

Michael Fleming, CEO of Torc Robotics and Del. Chris Hurst by Jon Fleming

Del. Chris Hurst, U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, and Kelly Johnson, who is U.S. Sen. Mark Warner’s outreach representative, attended the event in recognition of the VTCRC’s success.

“The research park is proud of the 180+ companies whose research and developments make an impact around the world every day. VIP Media Day was our opportunity to showcase this,” said Dawn Myers, COO of the VTCRC.

Onward New River Valley participated in the media day to support the VTCRC and the local companies that are important assets in Virginia’s New River Valley. Executive Director Charlie Jewell participated in interviews with Site Selection Magazine and Pharm Exec Magazine. Marketing Manager Abigail Hammack served as an ambassador for elected officials and representatives.

The media day featured interview opportunities, industry tours, and a helicopter flyover of the VTCRC, Virginia Tech Campus, and Virginia Tech Transportation Institute.

VTCRC Media Day Onward NRV

Virginia Tech Campus During Helicopter Flyover Tour by Abigail Hammack

Some of the coverage garnered from the event includes articles from R&D Magazine and Site Selection Magazine.

The participating companies and organizations included many within the NRV’s targeted industries: Food Processing & Agribusiness (Obis One, Pervida Beverage Company); Information Technology (Excella, 1901 Group, Click & Pledge); and Unmanned Systems (TORC, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, VPT).

Click the Industries tab for more information about industries in the NRV.

View additional photos of VIP Media Day here. For more information on VIP Media Day, visit www.vtcrc.com, email VTCRC’s business development and communication manager, Melissa Vidmar, at melissa.vidmar@vtcrc.com.

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Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly-skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

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.

volvo manufacturing day

WDBJ: Volvo Invites Pulaski County Students to Experience the Future of Manufacturing

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FROM WDBJ – Middle school students from Pulaski County got a closer look at the manufacturing industry.

Volvo opened its doors to them for National Manufacturing Day. Students got to see firsthand what careers in the industry look like. They also had some fun building mini Volvo trucks.

The company says they want to show students that they can be successful right in their hometown.

“We manufacturers spend a lot of time trying to convince suppliers, employees from around the world to come here to the New River Valley because its super cool, but we don’t tell our own kids. So I think this is a good time to do so,” plant manager, Franky Marchand, said.

Watch video coverage from WDBJ.

Onward NRV IEDC Award

Onward NRV Receives Excellence in Economic Development Award from the International Economic Development Council

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VIRGINIA’S NEW RIVER VALLEY – Onward New River Valley received a Bronze Excellence in Economic Development Award for the Targeted Industry Brochures, in the category of Special Purpose Print Brochure from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).

The honor was presented at an awards ceremony on Tuesday, October 2, during the IEDC Annual Conference, which was held September 29 – October 3, in Atlanta, Georgia.

“We are honored to receive an IEDC Excellence Award for the Targeted Industry Brochures we created this year,” said Onward NRV Marketing Manager Abigail Hammack. “It is incredibly exciting to be recognized by our peers for creating a viable asset to promote Virginia’s New River Valley. These brochures allow us to refine and easily execute our pitch for why the NRV is a hub for each of these industries.”

Onward NRV developed a series of four brochures that highlight the region’s experience, assets, and offerings relative to each target industry. Each of these brochures called out the high-level business advantages of choosing the New River Valley. Each brochure also identified subsector industries, industry awards and accolades, and quotes and images from successful existing regional businesses in each category. The brochures are downloadable on the NRV website and are available in hard copy at the Onward NRV.

“This year our judges reviewed some extraordinary projects that advanced both communities and businesses,” said Craig Richard, CEcD, FM, President and CEO of the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation and 2018 IEDC Board Chair. “We congratulate all the award winners and thank everyone who nominated their projects for sharing their success with fellow IEDC members. What we learn from each other helps us to grow and advance as a profession. We look forward to even greater participation from economic developers across the globe in the 2019 awards program.”

For more information about Onward NRV, contact Marketing Manager Abigail Hammack at abigail@onwardnrv.org or visit www.OnwardNRV.org.

About the International Economic Development Council: The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is the world’s largest membership organization for economic development professionals. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life in their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, our members represent the entire range of economic development. Learn more at iedconline.org.

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Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly-skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

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.