Virginia Tech Ranked #3 Best College Campus

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Blacksburg, VA – Niche, a company that helps people find schools and communities, ranked the Virginia Tech campus as the No. 3 best college campus in the U.S. The ranking was based on information from the U.S. Department of Education, which included statistics and student reviews of classrooms, labs, performance venues, housing, food, rec facilities, and more.

Virginia Tech has a beautiful campus and many amenities for students to live healthy and fulfilling lives. View some photos below.

See the complete Top 10 at Niche or Town & Country.

The NRV is also home to three other outstanding higher education institutes: Radford University, New River Community College, and the Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

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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 both 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.

Pulaski Yankees Win the 2017 Esurance Home Field Advantage Award

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PULASKI COUNTY, VA – The Pulaski Yankees won the 2017 Esurance Home Field Advantage Award… again! The Yankees also won in 2016.

The award, which originated in 2016, is awarded to communities who support their Minor League Baseball teams the best over the year. Only one team from each league is chosen as the winner. Esurance chooses their winner according to the highest percentage of capacity at games over the course of the season.

“Fans are the backbone of Minor League Baseball, and their support is what has contributed to our outstanding attendance numbers over the years,” said David Wright, Chief Marketing & Commercial Officer for Minor League Baseball. “We recognize the importance of each team within its community and the integral role the fans play in the teams’ success. This award recognizes not only individual teams, but their fans as well.”

Pulaski Yankee fans are proven to be some of the most dedicated in the MiLB. Read more from MiLB News.

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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 both 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 No. 11 Best Place to Work in Manufacturing

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NEW RIVER VALLEY, VA – The Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford Metro Area, commonly known as the New River Valley, was ranked the No. 11 Best Place to Work in Manufacturing by smartasset in their study this year. Data on 483 metro areas was considered and ranked according to six factors:
  • Manufacturing as a percent of workforce
  • Job growth from 2012 to 2015
  • Job growth from 2014 to 2015
  • Income growth from 2010 to 2015
  • Income growth from 2014 to 2015
  • Income after housing
  Advanced manufacturing can be found throughout Virginia’s New River Valley. The region is home to several major employers including Volvo (Pulaski County), Corning Inc. (Montgomery County), Celanese (Giles County), Kollmorgen (Radford), and Hollingsworth & Vose (Floyd County). Plus, training programs at New River Community College directly support the skills needed to work at companies in our region.  
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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 both 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 Announces Forbes.com Ranks Virginia No. 5 Best State for Business

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~ Commonwealth moves up in annual survey ranking business costs, labor supply, regulatory environment, economic climate, growth prospects, and quality of life ~


RICHMOND, VA – Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced that Virginia was named No.5 in the Forbes.com 2017 Best States for Business ranking. This position represents a jump from No.6 in the 2016 survey and No.7 in 2015. Virginia has placed in the top 10 since the ranking’s inception in 2006, and ranked among the top two states every year from 2006 through 2013.


“The Commonwealth’s advancement in major national rankings like Forbes.com is strong evidence of our success in building the new Virginia economy,” said Governor McAuliffe. “We are working tirelessly with our economic development partners across the Commonwealth to put Virginia on top, and today’s announcement demonstrates that our efforts are working. We are committed to building on this upward trajectory by offering the infrastructure, regulatory environment, and robust workforce to ensure Virginia is the premier business destination in the United States.”

Forbes uses six factors to determine state rankings, which include: business costs, economic climate, growth prospects, labor supply, quality of life, and regulatory environment. The Commonwealth finished in the top 10 in three of the six categories examined in the review published today, including #2 for Regulatory Environment, #3 for Labor Supply, and #8 for Quality of Life. According to Forbes.com, Virginia ranks second for its regulatory climate because of its strong incentive offerings and business-friendly government policies.


“Virginia’s improved standing in Forbes.com’s Best States for Business rankings is a testament to the commitment of Governor McAuliffe’s administration and all of our allies at the state, regional, and local levels to make the Commonwealth the premier destination for business,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Todd Haymore. “There is still work to be done to return Virginia to its top standing, and we will continue to build on this positive momentum working with members of the General Assembly and our public and private sector partners.”


For the entire Best States for Business ranking report, please visit here.


Full Release


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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 both 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.

Business Advantages Networking

NRV Among Top Affordable Metros Attracting YPs

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NEW RIVER VALLEY, VA- Virginia’s New River Valley (The Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford MSA) ranks among the top metros that are attracting young professionals while maintaining an affordable cost of living. According to PEW, the NRV is among 10 metros that are growing almost as quickly as other well-known, attractive cities for young people like Silicon Valley or Austin, TX, but have more affordable costs of living.  

Still Affordable, But Attracting Young Professionals

These metro areas ranked high for affordability, education, and growth in young professionals.
Columbus, INBismarck, ND
Midland, MIMorgantown, WV
Bloomington, ILCedar Rapids, IA
Idaho Falls, IDNew River Valley, VA
Sioux Falls, NDRochester, MN
The data comes from the American Community Survey and was analyzed by Stateline.
Virginia’s New River Valley, has a unique opportunity for young professionals. Our region enjoys the upscale amenities residents might find in larger urban areas (like public transit and fine dining), while maintaining the perks of low-cost living and small-town charm (like low traffic, and access to outdoor recreation).   The presence of Virginia Tech, Radford University, and New River Community College elevate the importance of education in the region and provide excellent amenities in arts and culture and opportunities for young people and businesses alike to interact with the universities and benefit from their services.  
The NRV was also ranked a top destination for college graduates based on eight economic and quality-of-life factors that AIER found to influence migration patterns of college grads ages 22-35 among 260 metro areas, large and small. A few of the factors contributing to the New River Valley’s high ranking included its favorable labor market conditions, affordable housing rents, ability to get around without a car, and density of people with a college degree.
YPs can find plenty of support in the NRV with clubs and networking opportunities such as Up on the Roof, Blacksburg YPs, The Newcomers Club, and more.   Plus, the NRV is home to a myriad of festivals and burgeoning local music scenes that keep up with the times while remembering the roots of SWVA throughout history. For more activities and insight on what it’s like to live in the NRV, check out the Live Here tab!  
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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 both 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.
Advanced Manufacturing welder

NRV Receives Top Rankings in Virginia in the ‘Best of the Southern Auto Corridor’

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NEW RIVER VALLEY, VA– Virginia’s New River Valley is mentioned as some of the best spots in Virginia by Southern Business & Development magazine’s Best of the Southern Auto Corridor list.

In four out of the ten categories, the NRV was mentioned 7 times. Businesses and assets mentioned include: Volvo, Federal Mogul, Corning, VTTI, and NRCC.

The Volvo Trucks assembly plant is located in Dublin, VA in Pulaski County. The plant is Volvo’s largest hub for manufacturing and employs approx. 2,000 people.

The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute has a 2.2 mile Smart Road that can simulate weather like rain, snow, or fog, and is used to advance transportation and autonomous technology.

New River Community College has one of the best programs for automotive worker training. There is even a dedicated staff member at NRCC that works to support Volvo’s training needs.

In general, Virginia is an excellent place to locate a business in the automotive or advanced manufacturing industry. The law structure and central location to South, Northeast, and Midwest markets make it a very strategic location. Specifically, I-81 runs through the heart of the New River Valley and the region in close proximity to interstates 77 and 64 via I-81, making interstate access easy and convenient.

Falling Branch Corporate Park

Montgomery and Pulaski counties were also mentioned as some of the best places for automotive parts suppliers. There are sites in both counties that would make an excellent fit for businesses in the automotive or advanced manufacturing industries. In Montgomery County, the Falling Branch Corporate Park is an excellent option. The park has graded sites ranging from 3 to 16.7 acres and the county recently acquired an additional 124 acres to develop larger sites. Just off I-81 and highway 460, this park is ready for a new tenant.

NRV Commerce Park

Pulaski County also offers the New River Valley Commerce Park, this site is certified by McCallum Sweeney as an American Electric Power (AEP) Quality Site. The park has robust infrastructure and boasts sites up to 120 acres.

SheaDawn Park Rail

SheaDawn Park, a private development in Pulaski County, also boast excellent infrastructure and a rail spur. Twenty-two miles of the Crescent and Heartland rail corridors converge in Virginia’s New River Valley, which is easily accessible at ShaeDawn.

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Virginia’s New River Valley: For those searching for a beautiful 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 both 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.

Pearisburg’s Woods Hole Hostel Named One of the Best Meals off the AT

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GILES COUNTY, VA– The Trek named Woods Hole Hostel in Pearisburg, VA one of the best Hostel Meals off the Appalachian Trail. Located just half a mile off the AT, the bed and breakfast has been around for 32 years. It’s a great place for hikers and even offers a shuttle service to the trail.

From the Trek:

This place is a slice of heaven that is not to be missed. Woods Hole offers home cooked, family-style meals that are made from local, organic, and homegrown foods. Fan favorites here are the homemade bread and organic salad (that is pulled straight from the garden). One of the most special aspects about the meals served at Woods Hole is the communal based aspect of food preparation and clean-up. They offer up the ingredients, and Neville then leads the team in creating the meal. Dinner costs $14, and breakfast is included with your room (or there is a “Broke Hiker Jar” for those who may not be able to afford the meal & room).

www.woodsholehostel.com

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Virginia’s New River Valley: For those searching for a beautiful 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 both 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 #10 in High-Tech Employment Concentration

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New River Valley, VA – The Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford MSA (commonly known as Virginia’s New River Valley) is the 10th most concentrated metro for number of jobs in high-tech industry, according to an analysis by Select USA. Of jobs in the NRV, 24.5% are in the high-tech industry. According to the analysis, high tech jobs are those that, “rely heavily on a skilled and educated workforce, act as innovative producers in our economy, and create and utilize advanced technologies.”


Because of the current base of technologically advanced jobs in the NRV and the region’s suitability for hosting this job market, Information Technology is one of the target industries of focus for the NRV. Our focus on Information Technology can be broken down into 4 sub-categories: Software Development, IT Support Services, Cybersecurity, and Digital Creatives. High-tech jobs also fall under other targeted industries in the NRV like Unmanned Systems and Advanced Manufacturing.


Virginia’s New River Valley has some of the best access to talent in tech industries. Considering it is a great place to live with a more affordable, down-to-earth culture, and exceptional access to research and innovation, the NRV is a natural fit for growing high-tech companies.


For more information about the Select USA high-tech industry study, click here.

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Virginia’s New River Valley: For those searching for a beautiful 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 both 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.

COO of Qualtrax, and IT Company in Blacksburg, VA, in Virginia's New River Valley.

NRV 3rd Among Metros with High Ratio of IT Graduates to Jobs

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NEW RIVER VALLEY, VA- The Blacksburg metro, known locally as the New River Valley, recently ranked 3rd out of 25 among metros with high ratio of IT graduates to IT jobs. This ranking was published in the July/August edition of Expansion Solutions Magazine based on information in 2015 when the New River Valley had 1,000 IT graduates, putting the ratio of graduates to jobs at 1:1.


The New River Valley is home to three higher education institutions that offer a range of degrees in IT, including:

  • Virginia Tech: Department of Computer Science, Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and the Business Information Technology Department
  • Radford University Artis Information Technology Department
  • New River Community College Information Technology Department

The New RIver Valley has a growing IT industry. According to data from The Bureau of Labor and Statistics, from 2011-2016 the New River Valley as a whole has nearly 2,000 IT employees, marking a significant increase of 35% since 2011, which is well above both the state (3%) and national (12%) averages.


Bike with Rackspace logo for employees to ride around the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center

This puts IT companies in a place to thrive in Virginia’s New River Valley. Currently with 154 IT establishments, the NRV is becoming an IT hub that benefits from a lower cost of living and better quality of life for employees. Onward NRV, the region’s economic development organization has identified IT as a target industry for the New River Valley and is collaborating with leaders from business, government, and higher education to support and grow the sector in the region.


Overall, the IT industry offers a range of occupations and high average earnings. The presence of multiple higher education institutions, which offer programs and graduates in various technology related subjects provides a regional advantage. Based on recent job growth, industry presence, and related criteria, the IT sectors of focus for the region are Software Development, Cyber Security, IT Support Services, and Digital Creative Firms.


Female 1901 Group employee at computer with a mountainous backdrop.

Some current IT companies and major employers in the New River Valley include Qualtrax, Rackspace, FoxGuard Solutions, Citizens Cooperative, and Modea.


For more information about IT in the NRV visit the Targeted Industry Page on our website. For any additional questions, feel free to contact Onward NRV.


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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 both 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.

Downtown Store fronts in radford virginia a safest city virginia

Radford the #18 Safest City in Virginia

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Radford is the no. 18 safest city in Virginia, according to SafeWise.

According to safewise, Virginia has the 3rd lowest violent crime rate in the country, making it overall a safe state. Many of the communities in the NRV rank as some of the safest in the commonwealth.

These rankings were based on the FBI Crime Report from 2015 and population. Cities with less than 3,000 residents were eliminated. Read more about the rankings from Safewise.

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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.