Top Ten Posts of 2020

Top Ten Posts of 2020

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New River Valley, VA – 2020 has been a year unlike any other, but there is still positive news happening around Virginia’s New River Valley. Recap this unique year with a list of the Top 10 Posts of 2020 on TheNRV.org. The following posts had the most pageviews online.

 

10. Torc Robotics to Invest $8.5 Million and Create 350 New Jobs in Blacksburg

In August it was announced that Torc Robotics will invest $8.5 million to expand its software development operations in Montgomery County. The company will establish an additional facility at the VT Corporate Research Center and create 350 new jobs.

9. NRV Commerce Park Welcomes Patton Logistics Group

In January it was announced that The Patton Logistics Group will invest $12 million to establish a new logistic and warehousing operation at NRV Commerce Park located in Pulaski County. The project will create 33 new jobs.

 

8. Pete Dye River Course Ranked 19th Best in VA for 2020

Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech

The Virginia Golf Ratings Panel ranked the Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech as #19 in a list of the top 50 golf courses in the state. The golf course is well known for its scenic views and 2.5 miles of frontage on the New River.

7. Why Blacksburg, VA is a Best Place to Live

Originally published in 2018, this blog post shared an editorial that Melody Warnick published on Livability about “why she thinks Blacksburg is a special place to live.” Warnick is a freelance writer, author, and Blacksburg local.

6. Kollmorgen Motion Solutions Used in Fight Against COVID-19

Kollmorgen Motion Solutions COVID-19

Kollmorgen played a critical role in the fight against COVID-19. The company’s motion solutions are being used by manufacturers around the country to make “respirators and other personal protective equipment” as well as other essential items that help diagnose and treat the virus.

5. 10 Things to Do in the NRV This Summer

Blog readers were clearly looking for fun and safe things to do this summer around the New River Valley. Originally published in 2018, this blog post lists ten unique spots to visit throughout the region.

4. H&V Delivering Critical Materials in the Fight Against COVID-19

Hollingsworth & Vose COVID-19

Hollingsworth & Vose was busy throughout 2020 “making filtration material that is a critical component in Respiratory Protection Equipment being used to fight the virus.” They continued to increase their production throughout the year to help with the COVID-19 pandemic response.

3. Pulaski is the Most Affordable Place to Live in VA

The town of Pulaski was named the cheapest place to live in Virginia for the second year in a row by HomeSnacks.net. In particular, “housing in Pulaski is [very affordable] when taken as a proportion of income, whether you’re renting or buying.”

 

2. Virginia Tech Ranked 7th Most Loved College by The Princeton Review

Virginia Tech Ranked 7th Most Loved College by The Princeton Review

The Princeton Review ranked Virginia Tech the 7th most loved college for 2021. VT also ranked first for best counseling services, eighth for best campus food, and fifteenth for town-gown relations are great.

1. Virginia Tech Ranks Top 3 Best College Campuses in America

Niche.com ranked Virginia Tech third in their list of 2020 Best College Campuses. Rankings were “based on key statistics and student reviews using data from the U.S. Department of Education.”

 

Correction: September 1, 2021: This blog post was corrected to reflect that Pete Dye River Course was ranked #19 in the top 50 golf courses in Virginia for 2020. A previous version of this article incorrectly stated the course was ranked #18.

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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.
VTTI Expands Virginia Smart Roads with Rural Test Track

VTTI Expands Virginia Smart Roads with Rural Test Track

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Montgomery County, VA – Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) announced in November that they will expand the Virginia Smart Roads with a rural test track. This test track is “the first research facility created to test automated driving systems and other next-generation technologies in a rural setting.”

The 2.5 mile-long Rural Roadway features many common characteristics of rural roadways including unpaved sections, steep hills, and winding curves. The test track will allow researchers to test the safety of automated vehicles driving in these difficult conditions.

According to VTTI, adding the rural test track means that “the Virginia Smart Roads can now accommodate testing capabilities on every road type (highway, urban/suburban, and rural) in the country.”

Read more about the VTTI Rural Roadway Expansion here.

Learn more about the unmanned systems industry in Virginia’s New River Valley here.

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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.

Red Rooster Coffee Blends Ranked in Top 30 Coffees of 2020

Red Rooster Coffee Blends Ranked in Top 30 Coffees of 2020

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Floyd County, VA – Two of Red Rooster Coffee Roaster’s coffee blends were ranked in the Top 30 Coffees of 2020 by Coffee Review. Coffee Review is “the world’s most widely read and influential coffee buying guide” with a goal “to point readers to the best coffees in the world.”

Here are the two blends from Red Rooster that made the list:

#8 Ethiopia Shantawene Washed
Coffee Review described this Ethiopia Shantawene Washed blend as “an exceptional washed-process Sidama cup evoking a garden in the spring, vivid with complex sweet-spicy florals.” Read their full review here.




#20 All Rise (in Collaboration with RND Coffee)
Red Rooster collaborated with RND Coffee in Roanoke to create the All Rise blend. Proceeds from All Rise “benefit Dream Corps and the work they do driving criminal justice reform, building a greener economy, and creating equity in the tech industry.” Coffee Review thought All Rise was “bright, sweet, tart, chocolaty and floral – delicious and worthy.” Read their full review here.


Read the full list of the Top 30 coffees for 2020 from Coffee Review here.

Explore currently available coffee from Red Rooster here.

Learn more about the thriving food processing and agribusiness industry in Virginia’s New River Valley here.

Explore more accolades won by NRV counties, city, towns, and universities here.

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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 Manufacturing Sector Outlook Positive

NRV Manufacturers Persevere Through Pandemic, Sector Outlook Positive

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New River Valley, VA – In September 2020, Onward New River Valley conducted a survey of manufacturing companies in Virginia’s New River Valley. The goal of the Industry Competitiveness Survey was to better understand how local manufacturing companies were operating and adapting in the wake of COVID-19. The survey was intended to identify common challenges among local companies and expose best practices that would support the overall competitiveness and continued growth of the local manufacturing industry.

Survey responses were collected during a two-week period in September 2020. The survey was sent to 35 manufacturers in Virginia’s New River Valley (NRV) with 48% responding. The survey results, along with individual interviews, revealed several insights about the manufacturing industry in the region; these insights are described below.

Operating Status

Overall, manufacturers in the NRV have persevered through the COVID-19 pandemic with varying impacts on their operations. The vast majority (76%) of respondents reported operating at or above pre-pandemic capacity, while 24% indicated operating at about half capacity. Roughly half of respondents indicated a decrease in their sales pipeline (43%) and overall revenue (52%).

Survey respondents seemed to signal that their supply chains had only been moderately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Less than one-third of respondents reported increased costs for either inputs/raw materials (29%) or freight (27%). Almost half of respondents reported experiencing an increase in supplier lead times (48%) and a reduction in the availability of inputs/raw materials (43%).

However, these changes in the supply chain do not seem to be affecting production levels for NRV manufacturers. Two-thirds (66%) of respondents reported stable or increasing production levels.

Employment

Employment through manufacturing companies in the NRV has remained mostly stable during the pandemic. The majority (62%) of respondents said their number of employees remained the same or increased since the beginning of the pandemic. Of the 38% of respondents that reported a reduction in employees (most indicating a slight reduction) since the beginning of the pandemic, the majority (63%) anticipated rehiring eliminated positions within a year of the survey date.

Over half (62%) of respondents reported having unfilled job openings. The types of unfilled positions varied among respondents, but a need for both production workers and engineers was a consistent theme. There is clearly a continuing need for talent recruitment and retention efforts across the manufacturing industry in NRV.

Health & Safety Concerns

In late September, over three-fourths of respondents indicated that at least 90% of their employees were physically working on-site. With most employees in the NRV manufacturing industry working in person amid the pandemic, it is no surprise that a large majority (81%) of respondents reported that health and safety was one of their current top three concerns for their business. Manufacturers have devoted significant attention to implementing new public health policies and technologies to keep their employees safe and their operations running during the pandemic.

NRV manufacturers have increased the number of employees that are working remotely to help mitigate these health and safety concerns. Pre-pandemic, only one respondent (5 ) reported having more than 5% of their employees working remotely, which increased to 62% of respondents by late September. This increase in remote work for some employees could be designed to offset the increased needs for physical space to comply with regulations and distancing requirements. One survey respondent stated that “physical distancing mandates are only feasible with a partial remote workforce.”

Overall Industry Outlook

Manufacturing leaders signaled an overall positive outlook for the coming year. Almost three-fourths (71%) of respondents anticipated that the remaining duration of COVID-19 impacts on their business would resolve within one year from the survey date.

Respondents were asked to give their overall outlook on the status of their company over the next 6-12 months. The vast majority (90%) of respondents reported that they had a steady or positive outlook for their company during that time period.

Leaders were also asked to forecast how many employees they anticipated having within six months to one year. Almost two-thirds (62%) of respondents expected a modest or significant increase in employment levels within a year, with no one anticipating a reduction in employees.

Learn more about the survey and read a final report of the results here.

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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 Tech Sector Outlook Strong

NRV Tech Companies Shift to Remote Work During Pandemic, Sector Outlook Strong

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New River Valley, VA – In September 2020, Onward New River Valley conducted a survey of technology companies in Virginia’s New River Valley. The goal of the Industry Competitiveness Survey was to better understand how local information technology companies were operating and adapting in the wake of COVID-19. The survey was intended to identify common challenges among local companies and expose best practices that would support the overall competitiveness and continued growth of the local tech sector.

Survey responses were collected during a two-week period in September 2020. The survey was sent to 28 information technology companies in Virginia’s New River Valley (NRV) with 71% responding. The survey results revealed several insights about the tech sector in the region; these insights are described below.

Operating Status
Overall, tech companies have remained mostly stable in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. When respondents were asked to evaluate the current operating status of their companies, only 12% reported that their business had shrunk since the pandemic began. The vast majority (88%) indicated that their business had stayed about the same (50%) or even grown (38%).

Most (58%) respondents reported stable or increasing revenue compared to pre-pandemic, but over half (55%) of respondents reported a decrease in their sales pipeline. Consequently, it’s no surprise that a majority (63%) of respondents ranked marketing as one of their current top three concerns with the decrease in sales pipeline that tech companies are reporting.

Several respondents reported that lead generation is a current challenge due to the pandemic. One person wrote, “I feel that there is some lack of quality in our sales pipeline now that we’ve shifted all of our client meetings remote,” while another stated, “finding new ways to engage prospective clients without tradeshows and travel is a top priority.” Marketing and selling in a remote environment are clear challenges that tech companies in the NRV are facing and will continue to face in the near future.

Employment
Employment through tech companies in the NRV has remained stable despite COVID-19. Most (63%) of respondents said their number of employees has remained the same since the beginning of the pandemic. Twelve percent of respondents did report a reduction in employee levels, but two-thirds (67%) of them anticipate rehiring eliminated positions within a year.

Over a quarter (25%) of respondents indicated they had increased employment during the pandemic, reporting either a slight (17%) or substantial (8%) increase. Furthermore, over one-third (38%) of respondents said that they currently have unfilled job openings. Respondents reported that the most common hard to fill positions are software engineers, account executives, and production schedulers. There is clearly a continuing need for talent recruitment and retention efforts across the tech sector in the NRV.

Remote Work Trends
The survey revealed that COVID-19 has caused local tech companies to shift most of their workforce to remote work. Prior to the pandemic, three-fourths (75%) of survey respondents reported that less than 20% of their workforce worked remotely. In contrast, two-thirds (67%) of respondents reported that more than 81% of their employees were remote in late September. Respondents did indicate a slight decrease in the percentage of employees working remotely from July to September, signaling some tech workers were returning to the office.

Several tech leaders indicated that having a higher portion of their employees work remotely may persist even after the pandemic is over. One respondent stated that their company would have a “50% decrease in physical space needs” due to the increase in remote work, while another said, “we definitely value having a physical location and will keep it, but this only continues to fuel our ability to have employees located anywhere.”

Almost half (46%) of respondents reported offering incentives for employees to work from home. Helping employees set up their home offices, whether through transferring existing equipment home or purchasing new equipment for employees, was one of the most frequently mentioned incentives. Other common incentives included providing stipends or reimbursements to run employees’ home offices and upgrading employees’ home internet service.

Overall Outlook
Tech leaders signaled an overall strong outlook for the coming year. Within the next twelve months, the vast majority (88%) of respondents reported that they had a steady or positive outlook for their company. Over three-fourths (79%) of respondents anticipated that the remaining duration of COVID-19 impacts on their business would resolve within one year from the survey date.

Leaders were also asked to forecast how many employees they anticipated having within six months to one year. Within six months, over half (54%) of respondents anticipated that their employment numbers would increase. Within the next year, three-fourths (75%) anticipated a modest (58%) or significant (17%) increase in employment. Only 4% of respondents expected to reduce employment within the next year.

Learn more about the survey and read a final report of the results here.

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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.

H&V Increases Production of PPE Filtration Media to Fight COVID-19

H&V Increases Production of PPE Filtration Media to Fight COVID-19

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Floyd County, VA – Hollingsworth & Vose was recently awarded a $2.5 million contract by the Department of Defense (DOD) to increase the company’s production of filtration media. The filtration media is used in personal protective equipment (PPE) like face masks. According to the DOD, “this industrial base expansion effort will allow Hollingsworth & Vose to increase production capacity to 100 million mask equivalents per year in Floyd, Virginia by October 2021.”

This will be the second contract that Hollingsworth & Vose has secured with the Department of Defense to produce filtration media during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Mike Clark, Division President,

“We are pleased to partner with the Department of Defense on a second contract to provide filtration media used in the production of face masks. We are committed to doing our part to respond to COVID-19 by supplying essential materials for the production of PPE.”

Read the official press release from the Department of Defense here.

Learn more about how companies in Virginia’s New River Valley like Hollingsworth & Vose are adapting and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic here.

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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 Starts Sales of NRV-Made Electric Trucks

Volvo Starts Sales of NRV-Made Electric Trucks

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Pulaski County, VA – Volvo Trucks North America last week announced the sales start of electric trucks that will be made in Virginia’s New River Valley. Volvo’s New River Valley assembly plant, located in Dublin, will begin production of the Class 8 Volvo VNR Electric truck in early 2021. The new truck model is a zero-tailpipe emission, battery-electric vehicle.

According to Volvo, the “VNR Electric is designed for customer applications and driving cycles with local and regional distribution ranges, including food and beverage and pick-up and delivery routes. The 264-kWh lithium-ion batteries, which charge up to 80% within 70 minutes, have an operating range of up to 150 miles based on the truck’s configuration.”

Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America, said about the news,

“Volvo Trucks is making electromobility accessible, efficient and operationally viable. The future is here and we are proud to bring this new and very real solution to the North American commercial trucking industry.”

Read the full press release from Volvo Trucks North America to learn more about the Volvo VNR Electric truck model.

Learn more about the manufacturing industry in Virginia’s New River Valley here.

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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.

Wing and MAAP Partnership

Wing and MAAP Partnership Highlighted in Virginia Economic Review

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Montgomery County, VA – The partnership between Wing and the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP) at Virginia Tech was highlighted in the Q3 2020 issue of the Virginia Economic Review. The article, titled “A Welcoming Atmosphere”, focuses on the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) research taking place in Virginia’s New River Valley and the “years of work that Wing and… MAAP have put into making drone delivery trials possible.”

In October 2019, Wing was able to successfully complete the first commercial drone delivery in the US. According to the article, Wing chose Christiansburg to be their first UAV delivery site in the US because,

“Christiansburg proved to be a good environment for drone tests because of both its proximity to MAAP and Virginia Tech and its “urban light” environment. The town offers some of the characteristics of urban areas without the challenges that more crowded cities present.”

Read the full article about the partnership between Wing and MAAP here.

Learn more about Wing, MAAP, and the unmanned systems industry in Virginia’s New River Valley here.

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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 Ranked #25 for Undergraduate Entrepreneurship

Virginia Tech Ranked #25 for Undergraduate Entrepreneurship

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Montgomery County, VA – Virginia Tech ranked #25 on the list of Top Undergraduate Schools for Entrepreneurship by The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine. The 2021 list was created by evaluating data from a “survey of more than 300 schools with offerings in entrepreneurship studies”.

According to the list, which was posted in its entirety on Entrepreneur.com, one way that Virginia Tech sets themselves apart from other universities is:

“We believe great companies can start and scale anywhere, aided by the fact that startups in emerging venture communities are often more capital efficient, offer a lower cost of doing business and attract talent looking for better quality of life. Our geographic and sector diverse approach means we work with student entrepreneurs from all over the country who chose Virginia Tech because of our fantastic programs.”

Learn more about The Princeton Review rankings here.

See the full list top 50 best undergrad programs for entrepreneurs in 2021 here.

Explore more accolades won by NRV counties, city, towns, and universities here.

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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.

Pulaski County Awarded SolSmart Gold Designation

Pulaski County Awarded SolSmart Gold Designation

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Pulaski County, VA – Pulaski County was recently awarded a SolSmart Gold designation. SolSmart is a nationwide program that “recognizes cities, counties, and regional organizations for making it faster, easier, and more affordable to go solar.” SolSmart has only awarded 139 Gold designations across the country, and Pulaski County is one of only three communities in Virginia to achieve that designation.

According to County Administrator Jonathan Sweet, “this Gold designation further demonstrates that [Pulaski County has] made it easier and more affordable for citizens and business[es] to move to solar.”

Read more about Pulaski County’s SolSmart Gold Designation from The Southwest Times here.

Learn more about Pulaski County, a community in Virginia’s New River Valley, here.

Explore more accolades won by NRV counties, city, towns, and universities here.

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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.