Governor Northam Nominates Opportunity Zones, Six Located in NRV

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NEW RIVER VALLEY, VA – Governor Northam announced the nomination of Virginia Opportunity Zones yesterday to the U.S. Department of Treasury. The Governor nominated a total of 212 sites (the maximum number allowed). There are 6 nominated Opportunity Zones in the NRV.

Opportunity Zones in the NRV

Click for full, interactive map. (via esri)

“Opportunity zones are an important federal tool to spur vitality in economic growth in communities across Virginia and we are committed to using them fully in this administration,” said Governor Northam. “By focusing on local and regional strategies, as well as Virginia’s diverse geography and economic opportunities, we selected a balance of zones that align with other state and local economic development and revitalization efforts. This ensures that Virginia is at the forefront of attracting new Opportunity fund investments.”

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development assisted in coordinating nomination process alongside the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.

For more information regarding the opportunity zones, visit the Governor’s website.

Click here for a full, interactive map of Virginia’s nominated zones. (via esri)

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Virginia’s New River Valley: For those searching for an inspiring place to live and do business, Virginia’s New River Valley provides both an eclectic small town atmosphere and an innovative, collaborative business community with a loyal, highly skilled, and educated workforce. Offering the best of all worlds – magnificent mountains, cutting-edge research, arts, entertainment, and education – it’s 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.

Crenshaw Lighting Expands VIrginia's New River Valley

Crenshaw Lighting Expanding in Floyd County

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FROM FLOYD COUNTY, VA – Floyd County today announced that Crenshaw Lighting is expanding in Floyd, Virginia. The project will create 56 jobs, for a total of 120 jobs. The Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission approved a $100,000 Tobacco Regional Opportunity Fund grant and $50,000 loan for this project.

Crenshaw Lighting Expands, Virginia's New River Valley

Tobacco Commission Executive Director, Evan Feinman said, “Supporting existing businesses when they wish to expand is an important part of the Tobacco Commission’s mission. Crenshaw has proven to be a valuable community partner and I am glad the Commission approved these funds to help them grow their business in Floyd County.”

Crenshaw Lighting is an award-winning decorative custom lighting and historic restoration lighting manufacturer that has been crafting exceptional lighting since 1957. Dedication to this tradition, collaboration with world-class lighting specifiers, and pioneering leading edge technology solutions in decorative lighting remain Crenshaw’s guiding principles in the 21st century.

Patrick Daley, owner of Crenshaw Lighting, said “Our work calls for great skill, complexity, and execution on a monumental scale. We are excited to be expanding our work in Floyd where the craftsmanship is exceptional. The facility we are renovating for expansion will be a showcase for our work and the community.”

Floyd County, in cooperation with the Economic Development Authority of Floyd County, will be providing a $500,000 loan to help expedite the renovation and job creation.

Lauren Yoder, Chairman of the Floyd County Board of Supervisors, said, “We are delighted to help support the expansion of Crenshaw Lighting. “We are very proud that the lighting that adorns the US Supreme Court, US Capitol, state houses, universities, and historic buildings around the country, were custom made right here in Floyd County. We look forward to their growth and continued success.”

The new jobs will include shop workers doing welding, machining and buffing, as well as designers and engineers. The wages will be significantly above the average local wage of $13.80/hour.

Jon Beegle, Chairman of the Economic Development Authority of Floyd County, added, “Crenshaw Lighting works closely with our high school Career and Technical Education programs, like welding and machining, which helps students and the company. And they continue to train individuals on-the-job to help them become master craftsmen. Crenshaw Lighting demonstrates our strengths in Floyd County— creativity, innovation and craftsmanship. Supporting the businesses that are already part of our community is a high priority for us. We are very grateful and excited that they are investing more and growing here in Floyd.”

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Media Contact: Lydeana Martin
Economic Development Director
Floyd County, Virginia
lmartin@Floydcova.org
540-745-9300

About Floyd County and the Board of Supervisors

Floyd County is located in southwest Virginia along the Blue Ridge Parkway and between Interstates 81 and 77. The County is a dynamic rural community with a population of 15,755. Floyd County is governed by the 5-member Board of Supervisors. The County Administrator is Terri Morris. The Board of Supervisors works closely with the EDA and staff to help businesses locate or expand in Floyd County. www.floydcova.org.

About The Floyd County EDA

The Floyd County Economic Development Authority (EDA) is comprised of 7 community volunteers. Floyd County’s Community and Economic Development Director, Lydeana Martin, serves as lead staff to the EDA. Together they work to find solutions to improve the local economy by offering programs that support existing businesses, start-up businesses and by attracting new “right-fit” businesses to the community.

Learn More: www.yesfloydva.org.
To learn more about visiting, see www.VisitFloydVA.com.

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Virginia’s New River Valley: For those searching for an inspiring place to live and do business, Virginia’s New River Valley provides both an eclectic small town atmosphere and an innovative, collaborative business community with a loyal, highly skilled, and educated workforce. Offering the best of all worlds – magnificent mountains, cutting-edge research, arts, entertainment, and education – it’s 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.

Aeroprobe MELD logo, Virginia's New River Valley

Aeroprobe Corporation Commercializes MELD Technology

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~Machine sales and manufacturing services will be managed by newly-announced subsidiary, MELD Manufacturing Corporation~

FROM MONTGOMERY COUNTY, VA – On Thursday, April 12, 2018, Aeroprobe Corporation announced MELD, its proprietary manufacturing technology, is moving into a new phase of commercialization that includes the spinout of MELD Manufacturing Corporation. These announcements come after more than a decade of research and development for the MELD process.

“Our technology is truly unique,” noted MELD CEO Nanci Hardwick. “We identified an area in the additive manufacturing industry that could be improved upon and put a lot of time and effort into making it happen. The MELD process is a game changer in the additive manufacturing field and beyond.”

Aeroprobe MELD logo, a revolutionary manufacturing process for metal created at Aeroprobe in Virginias New River Valley

The company holds more than a dozen patents for MELD, a process that can be used for a wide range of materials, including metal powders and rods. It can also be used with metal chips that would normally be discarded in other processes, making it a viable option for a green alternative.

“What sets us apart from other technologies is that we aren’t melting,” explained Additive Manufacturing Manager Chase Cox, “When you melt, you introduce weakness and other issues. By taking the material up to a point where it is malleable but not melted, we end up with properties that meet or exceed similar processes and, in some cases, even those of the original material.”

While a few other processes offer the ability to work with materials without melting, MELD is further differentiated by being open atmosphere, meaning no special chambers or vacuums are needed to operate a MELD machine.

“Being open atmosphere means less equipment and fewer headaches,” continued Cox, “From a manufacturing standpoint, it also means that MELD isn’t limited in the size of the parts it can make. Compared to similar processes, we can make parts that are not only bigger, but also superior in quality and material options.”

Beyond additive manufacturing, the MELD process can be used to repair, coat, and join materials. The novelty of the technology also means that welding previously unweldable materials is a possibility.

“I was very excited the first time I saw the MELD technology,” notes Paul Allison, Assistant Professor at the University of Alabama, which already owns a MELD machine. “It was and still is obvious that MELD provides a breakthrough in manufacturing technology that overcomes the technical barriers of fusion-based processes. That innovation is why I was eager to purchase a MELD machine and to work with the MELD team to pioneer research for this technology,” stated Allison.

The MELD process promises to innovate a number of industries, from automotive and aerospace to defense and turbomachinery. MELD Manufacturing will offer machine sales in addition to contract manufacturing and consulting services.

“This is just another example of the technical innovations that are occurring in the New River Valley,” said Chris Tuck, Chair, Montgomery County Board of Supervisors. “The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors continues to support our local businesses in growing and making world-wide impacts,” said Tuck.

“I’m both proud of and excited about this home-grown technology in Montgomery County,” said Vice Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, April DeMotts. “It is clearly evident that the impact of this cutting-edge technology will reach far beyond Virginia,” said DeMotts.

About MELD Manufacturing Corporation

Established in 2018, MELD Manufacturing Corporation holds more than a dozen patents for MELD and facilitates contract manufacturing and consulting services as well as MELD machine sales. MELD is an innovative and unique patented technology that revolutionizes the additive manufacturing industry. MELD is the first process to give you the power to build 3D parts in solid state, producing better quality, scalable parts faster using a variety of materials and metals. Learn more at www.meldmanufacturing.com.

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Virginia’s New River Valley: For those searching for an inspiring place to live and do business, Virginia’s New River Valley provides both an eclectic small town atmosphere and an innovative, collaborative business community with a loyal, highly skilled, and educated workforce. Offering the best of all worlds – magnificent mountains, cutting-edge research, arts, entertainment, and education – it’s 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

Blacksburg a Top 100 Best Place to Live

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BLACKSBURG, VA – The Town of Blacksburg is a Top 100 Best Place to Live according to Livability.com. Blacksburg came in at number 63 out of almost 2,300 cities.

The small and mid-sized towns and cities were ranked using 40 data points that analyzed economics, education, housing, and more.

“The college town atmosphere in Blacksburg has helped foster affordable housing options along with a robust downtown district, fantastic restaurants, boutiques, and entertainment venues…”

Read more from Livability.

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Virginia’s New River Valley: For those searching for an inspiring place to live and do business, Virginia’s New River Valley provides both an eclectic small town atmosphere and an innovative, collaborative business community with a loyal, highly skilled, and educated workforce. Offering the best of all worlds – magnificent mountains, cutting-edge research, arts, entertainment, and education – it’s 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.

Roanoke Times: Floyd County Embraces Artisan Flair in New Push to Boost Local Economy

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FLOYD COUNTY VA (excerpt from Roanoke Times) – Floyd County’s tourism and economic development officials have been working for over a year on an initiative designed to boost that local craftsmanship economy, with a focus on agriculture, food and forestry related ventures.

They’re calling the campaign “Floyd Grown.”

“It has been the backbone to our economy. Our arts, our music, our handcrafts, our woodcrafts have all been integral to Floyd County as well as agriculture,” Floyd County Board of Supervisors member Linda DeVito Kuchenbuch said. “All of this will be accentuated in a way that hasn’t ever been done before.”

Lydeana Martin, the county’s community and economic development director, said around 17 percent of the county’s workforce is self-employed. Around 90 percent work for companies with fewer than 20 employees.

She said this isn’t the place employers go to build massive factories with 50 tractor trailers rolling through each day. But it is where companies go if they’re looking for a couple of dozen highly skilled welders for more specialized, artistic work.

She said “Floyd Grown” is…

Read more from Jacob Demmit at The Roanoke Times.

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Virginia’s New River Valley: For those searching for an inspiring place to live and do business, Virginia’s New River Valley provides both an eclectic small town atmosphere and an innovative, collaborative business community with a loyal, highly skilled, and educated workforce. Offering the best of all worlds – magnificent mountains, cutting-edge research, arts, entertainment, and education – it’s 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, Advanced Manufacturing, Virginia's New River Valley

New Brochures Showcase NRV Industries

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New River Valley, VA – Onward NRV has officially published new brochures that showcase the region’s competitive advantages in: Advanced Manufacturing, Information Technology, Food Processing & Agribusiness, and Unmanned Systems.

Through a comprehensive study with the Virginia Tech Office of Economic Development, Onward NRV identified four key clusters to support and grow in the region. A targeted approach ensures that resources are focused on clusters with the greatest local competitive advantage and return on investment for the region. These clusters, and their corresponding niches, funnel new money into the region, offer higher wages and equitable career pathways, and have strong growth forecasts.

Each of the brochures is an overview of the industry and is packed with information that’s helpful for people looking to live, work, and do business in Virginia’s New River Valley. The brochures incorporate the River Stone branding and feature notable accolades, higher education assets, quotes from regional leaders, business advantages, and photos from the NRV.

“These brochures are the culmination of our regional branding and targeted industry initiatives,” said Executive Director Charlie Jewell. “Not only do they look fantastic, but they also embody the spirit of the people and the companies in our region. They’re full of substantial information and will help us raise the visibility of the New River Valley as a hub for these industries.”

See the NRV targeted industry brochures on the Targeted Industry page, or the drop down menu in the regional website header.

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Virginia’s New River Valley: For those searching for an inspiring place to live and do business, Virginia’s New River Valley provides both an eclectic small town atmosphere and an innovative, collaborative business community with a loyal, highly skilled, and educated workforce. Offering the best of all worlds – magnificent mountains, cutting-edge research, arts, entertainment, and education – it’s 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.

VIP Media Day title, CRC, Virginia's New River Valley

VT Corporate Research Center to Conduct VIP Media Day

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VTCRC Media Day

NEW RIVER VALLEY, VA – The Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center (VTCRC), located in Blacksburg, VA and adjacent to Virginia Tech, is hosting the first-ever VIP Media Day on Sept. 18, 2018.

The purpose of the VIP media junket is to provide a way for local, regional, and national media outlets to learn more about the VTCRC, local companies, Blacksburg, Montgomery County, and the rest of Virginia’s New River Valley. Many of the companies in the VTCRC have a global footprint and a lot to offer the region.

“It is our goal that invited media will be paired with companies whose research and development interests them the most. Media will leave with exclusive content and expert contacts for future editorials, videos, blogs, etc.” said Dr. Joe Meredith, VTCRC President & CEO.

Event Summary

  • Press kits and personalized schedules
  • Complimentary Lunch
  • Presentations
  • Helicopter flyovers
  • Media mingle
  • Swag bags

    • VIP Media Day will help with recruiting efforts for the VTCRC and participating companies and organization, which will help make a positive impact regionally.

    VTCRC Media Day, CRC Media Day Blacksburg, CRC Media Day, Media Day NRV

    Part of the programming will allow the VIP guests and media to participate in a complimentary flyover of the research park and the Virginia Tech campus.

    For questions, or to submit credentials and obtain a press pass, contact Melissa Vidmar at melissa.vidmar@vtcrc.com.

    Additional details can be found at www.vtcrc.com/events/2018vipmediaday.

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    Virginia’s New River Valley: For those searching for an inspiring place to live and do business, Virginia’s New River Valley provides both an eclectic small town atmosphere and an innovative, collaborative business community with a loyal, highly skilled, and educated workforce. Offering the best of all worlds – magnificent mountains, cutting-edge research, arts, entertainment, and education – it’s 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.

    Governor McAuliffe at Koinonia Announcement at Pete Dye River Course in Pulaski County, VA 2017

    Pulaski County Economic Development Performance on Top in 2017

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    ~Pulaski County economic development performance is on top in 2017.~

    FROM PULASKI COUNTY, VA – According to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s Virginia Announcements of Employment Creation and Capital Investment – ‘2017 End of Year Report,’ Pulaski County finished 2nd in Job Creation, 4th in New Capital Investment and 2nd in the Number of Projects Announced per capita for the Calendar Year 2017 out of all 95 counties within the Commonwealth of Virginia. According to the report, Pulaski County was the only county that finished 4th or better in all three categories, respectively placing the County in the top spot overall in economic development performance.

    “The Board of Supervisors is extremely thankful for our success in 2017 and the true benefit of our accomplishments is the more than 600 new jobs that will become available to our citizens,” stated Andy McCready, Chair of the Pulaski County Board of Supervisors.

    “We have one of the most dedicated and creative economic development teams working hard to advance our existing industries and to recruit new foreign and domestic investments to the County.”

    According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Pulaski County’s unemployment rate dipped below 4.0% in December of 2017 for the first time since April 2006 (3.5%). The unemployment rate improved from 9.3% in January of 2017, down to 3.9% in December of 2017.

    “We are starting to see the positive effects of new jobs being created in the County, and a 140-month low unemployment rate at the end of 2017 was further affirmation that our economic development efforts are beginning to pay dividends,” stated Jonathan D. Sweet. “I am so thankful to the Board of Supervisors, Michael Solomon, our EDA and the entire County Administration Team, but I am most grateful to our business community for their trust and confidence to invest in Pulaski County and our world-class workforce.”

    The ranking outcomes were the result of Pulaski County’s five (5) qualified projects in CY-2017, two of which were officially announced in concert with the Governor’s office. These five (5) basic industry sector projects will collectively create more than 600 new jobs and $57 million in new capital investment. The projects referenced consisted of Phoenix Packaging Operations, LLC, MicroXact, Koinonia Ltd., MTM Inc., and Volvo Trucks North America.

    “We knew Pulaski County had a banner year, but until you compare our numbers to the rest of the counties in Virginia, it’s hard to appreciate just how strongly we performed,” stated Jon Wyatt, Chair of the Pulaski County Economic Development Authority. “Kudos to our Economic Development Team for their ability to structure and close so many deals and subsequently manage and service all of these projects.”

    Pulaski County, located in Virginia’s New River Valley, is home to eight (8) international companies that represents more than 4,000 advanced manufacturing jobs. The County is considered to be Southwest Virginia’s Center for International Business and the New River Valley’s Advanced Manufacturing Hub.

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    Virginia’s New River Valley: For those searching for an inspiring place to live and do business, Virginia’s New River Valley provides both an eclectic small town atmosphere and an innovative, collaborative business community with a loyal, highly skilled, and educated workforce. Offering the best of all worlds – magnificent mountains, cutting-edge research, arts, entertainment, and education – it’s 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.

    A point of view shot riding a bike, bike virginia nrv

    Bike Virginia to ‘Ride the River’ in the NRV

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    NEW RIVER VALLEY, VA – Bike Virginia, a six-day bike tour that changes locations in Virginia every year, will be located in the New River Valley this year from June 22-27. There are two host locations: one in Radford and the other at Claytor Lake State Park in Dublin.

    Over 1,500 bikers participate in the ride that has route options from 20-100 miles each day. Riders have the option of doing a 3-day or 6-day expedition.

    An image from the Bike Virginia website that says Ride the River for Bike Virginia in the NRV

    Bike Virginia is a way to escape the everyday and spend some time among kindred spirits and beautiful landscapes.

    “Nestled within lush rolling hills lies an ancient river that winds its way North. Slipping silently through pastures, between mountains, and alongside villages, the sparkling New River feeds the soil and the soul. IT’S NEW. IT’S ANCIENT. IT’S AMAZING.”

    Bike Virginia and the locals work to provide extra excursions and activities for bikers. Some include yoga and massages at the trip headquarters or coordination to float the New River or boat Claytor Lake.

    Ride the River this June in Virginia’s New River Valley.

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    Virginia’s New River Valley: For those searching for an inspiring place to live and do business, Virginia’s New River Valley provides both an eclectic small town atmosphere and an innovative, collaborative business community with a loyal, highly skilled, and educated workforce. Offering the best of all worlds – magnificent mountains, cutting-edge research, arts, entertainment, and education – it’s 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

    RU Highlander Ranked #1 Mascot by USA Today

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    RADFORD, VA – USA Today named the Radford University Highlander mascot the no. 1 mascot. Out of the 68 teams in the NCAA Tournament, the Highlanders came out on top.

    “AMAZING” said the article author Charles Curtis. “Between the beard, the costume, the muscles, the headband and all the ‘THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE!!!’ jokes, this deserves the No. 1 spot.”

    Radford University is a huge asset to our communities. It doesn’t hurt that Highlander sports teams keep winning. Radford Men’s Soccer clinched the 2016 Big South Tournament Championship. Golf, Cross Country, Tennis, and more are consistent winners, and Men’s Baseball is unstoppable. Learn more at www.radford.edu.

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    Virginia’s New River Valley: For those searching for an inspiring place to live and do business, Virginia’s New River Valley provides both an eclectic small town atmosphere and an innovative, collaborative business community with a loyal, highly skilled, and educated workforce. Offering the best of all worlds – magnificent mountains, cutting-edge research, arts, entertainment, and education – it’s 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.