NRV Manufacturing Industry Featured in Valley Business FRONT

NRV Manufacturing Industry Featured in Valley Business FRONT

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New River Valley, VA – The August 2020 issue of Valley Business FRONT featured an article titled, “Not Your Father’s Manufacturing Industry”. The article showcased the manufacturing industry in Virginia’s New River Valley.

The region is a hub for the manufacturing industry, with, according to the article, “140 manufacturers… located in the New River Valley. The sector employs 12,000 people, making it one of the top five employment industries.”

The article discussed current trends and challenges in manufacturing globally, nationally, and locally. One such challenge is training the workforce to adapt to the increased automation in the industry. Local institutions, such as New River Community College, have implemented programs for students to ensure that qualified employees are available to meet the changing needs of manufacturers in the region.

Read the entire article from Valley Business FRONT here. Learn more about manufacturing 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 Living Magazine Recognizes NRV Destinations and Businesses in Best of Virginia 2020 Awards

Virginia Living Magazine Recognizes NRV Destinations and Businesses in Best of Virginia 2020 Awards

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New River Valley, VA – Fifteen destinations and businesses across Virginia’s New River Valley won Best of Virginia 2020 Awards for the Southwest Virginia region.  Virginia Living magazine published the annual list of winners in their special Best of Virginia 2020 issue.  The magazine tallied over 55,000 ballots to determine this year’s winners.

The NRV’s winners and runners-up are listed below by category.

Restaurants
India Garden Restaurant – Winner – Best Indian Restaurant
Sal’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria – Winner – Best Italian Restaurant
Cabo Fish Taco – Winner – Best Seafood Restaurant
Gillie’s – Winner – Best Restaurant for Vegans or Vegetarians
Macado’s – Winner – Best Sandwich Shop
The Farmhouse – Winner – Best Outdoor Dining
Due South BBQ – Barbecue Restaurant
Dogtown Roadhouse – Pizzeria
Palisades Restaurant – Restaurant
Our Daily Bread Bakery & Bistro – Restaurant for Vegans and Vegetarians, Dessert
Red Rooster Coffee Roasters – Coffee Shop or Roaster
Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea – Coffee Shop or Roaster
Thai This Food Truck – Food Truck

Food Shopping
Our Daily Bread Bakery & Bistro – Bakery
Blacksburg Farmers’ Market – Farmer’s Market
Harvest Moon Food Store – Specialty/Gourmet Food Shop
Vintage Cellar – Wine Shop

Drink
Five Mile Mountain Distillery – Winner – Best Distillery
Chateau Morrisette Winery – Winner – Best Winery
Buffalo Mountain Brewery – Brewery
Iron Heart Winery – Winery

Entertainment & Events
Wine & Design – Winner – Best Entertainment Center for Adults
Floyd Center for the Arts – Art Gallery
Floyd Country Store – Music Venue

Travel
Mountain Lake Lodge – Resort

Outdoors & Active
Cascade Falls – Hiking or Biking Trail

Home
Warm Hearth Village – Retirement Community

Services
Brown Edwards – Winner – Best Accounting Firm
Shelor Motor Mile – Winner – Best Car Dealer

Pets
Blacksburg Dog Park – Winner –  Best Dog Park
Off Leash K9 Training – Winner – Best Dog Training Company
Sparky’s Run Dog Park – Dog Park

Kids
Xtreme Springz Trampoline Park – Winner – Best Birthday Party Place
Alta Mons Summer Camp and Retreat Center – Summer Camp

Health
New River Dermatology – Winner – Best Dermatology Practice
Medical Associates of Southwest Virginia – Primary Care Practice
River Ridge Dermatology – Dermatology Practice
Sideline Orthopedic & Sports Medicine – Orthopedic Practice
Tuck Chiropractic Clinic – Chiropractic Clinic

Beauty
Nail Envy – Nail Salon

Weddings & Special Events
Chantilly Lace Bridals, Formals, & Tuxedos – Bridal Boutique

Shopping
Finders Keepers – Antiques
East Coasters – Bicycle Shop
Whistle Stop Books – Bookstore
The Upscale Attic – Consignment Shop
New River Valley Mall – Shopping Mall
Hey Helen – Women’s Clothing Store

The winners and runners-up of the Best of Virginia 2020 Awards are just some of the unique destinations and businesses that make Virginia’s New River Valley a great place to live, work, and do business.

Learn more about the Best of Virginia 2020 Awards 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.

Job Board Launched on Virginia's New River Valley Website

Job Board Launched on Virginia’s New River Valley Website

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New River Valley, VA – Many employers in Virginia’s New River Valley are hiring amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Onward NRV, a public/private, regional economic development organization, launched an online Job Board in March 2020 to help connect employees looking for work with employers that have job openings.

The job board can be found on the Virginia’s New River Valley website. It features a section for job listings from featured employers in the region.

Job seekers can also use the job board to search for new career opportunities in specific industries. Listings are available in eight different job categories:

  • Technology
  • Manufacturing
  • Healthcare
  • Accounting and Finance
  • Construction and Architecture
  • Education
  • Human Resources
  • Marketing and Sales

    • In addition to searching by industry, potential employees can also search and filter through all jobs available in Virginia’s New River Valley. Over 100 available jobs have been posted to the job board within the last two weeks. All sections of the job board are powered by Indeed, the #1 job site in the world.

    Onward NRV’s mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. Onward promotes economic vitality in the region through supporting the growth of four targeted industries: Information Technology, Advanced Manufacturing, Food Processing & Agribusiness, and Unmanned Systems. The job board is one way the organization is working to connect employees with employers in these targeted industries. Learn more about Onward NRV here.

    Click here to browse the job board and learn more about career opportunities currently available 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.

    Floyd Growth Center to be built using $2.6 million in grant funds

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    Floyd County, VA – The Economic Development Authority of Floyd County was just awarded a $2.305 million grant from the US Economic Development Administration (their press release attached) for Building 1 of the new Floyd Growth Center This is in addition to the $302,000 grant already awarded for the project by the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission. The project cost is estimated to be $2.88 million.

    The Floyd Growth Center will be a small campus on Lot 4 in the Floyd Regional Commerce Center providing small graded sites for non-retail businesses. Building 1 will be a 13,000 SF resilient light industrial building on one of those sites. It will have two main spaces: one will be about 4,300 SF and the other about 8,700 SF with each having a production area, drive-in door, and an office suite. The building will have 3-phase power, fiber to the premises with Gigabit service, public water and sewer, and dock-access. It will have special resiliency features including back-up generator, some solar photovoltaic, lightning protection system and reinforced walls and roof.

    “When we applied for this last August, our goal was to develop affordable spaces for premium production or fabrication work, where local businesses could grow into and other businesses could consider space in Floyd,” said Jon Beegle, the local EDA Chairman.

    “This is an exciting grant award. This project will provide construction work in the short-term and in the long-term will support more higher-wage job opportunities for those with technical and trade skills,” said Joe Turman, Chairman of the Floyd County Board of Supervisors. We deeply appreciate the support from the US EDA and the Virginia Tobacco Commission.”

    Construction is expected to begin by the spring of 2021 on the building.

    “We were very fortunate to get this US EDA funding,” Lydeana Martin, the Community and Economic Development Director shared. “They had special funding to help communities affected by Hurricanes Florence and Michael in 2018. Thanks to input from more than 50 local businesses, we were able to document the impact of those storms including loss of power, blocked roads, and flooding. This building will provide a more resilient option to businesses looking for non-retail space.”

    “It’s very expensive to create good building pads and to construct business facilities,” according to Beegle. “And many businesses cannot afford to do so. Leasing often fits their business model better, especially in the early years of the business.”

    The Floyd County EDA completed the Floyd Innovation Center in 2015. It provides spaces from 120 SF to 4,300 SF for businesses. It is fully occupied.

    The Tobacco Commission is committed to developing a diverse economy in Southern and Southwest Virginia. Having infrastructure including sites and facilities is an important part of accomplishing that goal and the Commission looks forward to continuing to support projects that will bring jobs and investment to the areas served.

    For more information, contact Lydeana Martin at the lmartin@floydcova.org or 540 267-4083.

    Red Rooster Coffee Featured In Virginia Review

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    Floyd County, VA – In the Q1 2020 issue of the Virginia Economic Review, a publication through the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, focused on showcasing Virginia’s food and beverage industry. The New River Valley’s own Red Rooster Coffee was featured in an article in the reveiw, titled “Virginia Roosters Earn National Recognition for Quality.”

    Here is what the article had to say about Red Rooster Coffee:

    Red Rooster Coffee opened in downtown Floyd in 2010 with values reflecting its small-town origins: quality, environmental stewardship, and family. The company uses organic and fairtrade coffees whenever possible, with a particular focus on partnerships with farms that treat workers fairly.

    “The way that specialty coffee is going to move forward in the world and replace plantation-style agribusiness in Brazil and Vietnam is that we have to be transparent about what we’re buying and why we buy the coffee that we buy,” said owner Haden Polseno- Hensley.

    “We buy most of our coffee from a specialty coffee importer who has people on the ground who set price with the farmers or the export mill. They come to an agreement about the size of the premium they’re going to pay, but they always pay a premium above the price on the commodities market.”

    Red Rooster evolved from a small community coffee shop that was one of three in Floyd, a town of 450 people in the New River Valley. Polseno-Hensley realized that he needed a differentiating factor to draw business in a saturated market, and he settled on upping the quality of his brew.

    “My early coffee was better than 95% of the coffee that you could buy,” he said. “But how do you get from that to roasting world-class coffee? It was many years of trial and error and tasting.”

    Red Rooster sells its coffee at Fresh Market and Whole Foods locations in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C., as well as several other stores and coffee shops in the region. In addition to the Forbes honor, the company took first place in the Brewers Cup in the U.S. Coffee Champs qualifiers last year. Its cold brew won first place at Coffee Fest Baltimore in 2018, and its espresso earned the same honor at Coffee Fest NYC in 2016.

    With the bounty of workforce and water paired with affordable land, a good culture for niche markets, and a history of agriculture, Virginia’s New River Valley proves a Natural Fit for companies in Food Processing & Agribusiness.

    Community “pays it forward” through Red Rooster Coffee campaign

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    Floyd, VA – On March 20, 2020 Red Rooster Coffee launched an online campaign to help its employees while giving back to a local food bank. The impacts of the COVID-19 on its business had been quick and dramatic. Red Rooster Coffee had seen its wholesale demand drop by over half in just 4 days, and expected it to plummet even further as the global pandemic intensified.

    As they were coming to grips with the economic realities facing their business, Red Rooster Coffee learned that the local food bank in Floyd, Plenty!, was becoming overwhelmed by increased demand. This sparked an idea to create a win/win situation for them and their community.

    The idea, Red Rooster Rooster asked their customers to donate $10 so that they could keep their staff employed making healthy meals that would be delivered to the Plenty! food bank twice a week. The meals would be made through their cafe with each one costing only $10 to make. The meals would be the same as what their customers would normally order; made from fresh vegetables from local farms and other delicious ingredients.

    The Win/Win campaign received an immediate outpouring of support. Within the first 48 hours, its customers and friends donated over $12,000; enough to make 1,277 meals for the hungry and to keep its staff busy for at least two to three weeks. A Win/Win!

    If you are interested in supporting the Win/Win campaign, CLICK HERE.

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

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    Floyd, VA – As the COVID-19 virus is straining the global healthcare supply chain, Hollingsworth & Vose, which has operations in Floyd County, is busy making filtration material that is a critical component in Respiratory Protection Equipment being used to fight the virus. H&V is taking this responsibility seriously as well as the safety of its employees and the community. Over the last few months, the corporation has added staff and adjusted manufacturing schedules to optimize the amount of product it can produce in response to this global health crisis. H&V is also prioritizing orders from existing customers who have active manufacturing and distribution within the respiratory protection market with approved products. This approach will optimize the speed and number of people who can be helped in this challenging situation. H&V is currently supplying media that will be used in the following applications:
    • 40 million N95 facemasks per month
    • 40 million medical breathing devices, including ventilators per month
    • 20,000 HEPA filters per month used in hospitals and pharmaceutical laboratories

    Radford and Floyd County Public Schools Received a Total of $227,000 for Computer Science

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    New River Valley, VA — Governor Ralph Northam today announced more than $1.3 million in state grants to support the implementation of Virginia’s Computer Science Standards of Learning. In 2016, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation requiring that the Standards of Learning include computer science and coding. The standards, which were adopted by the state Board of Education in 2017, are the nation’s first mandatory K-12 computer science standards. Funding will help increase access to K-12 computer science programs a prepare students for high-demand jobs

    “Knowing the basics of computer science can open doors to virtually any career in our fast-growing 21st-century economy,” said Governor Northam. “We are working to expand career-connected learning and integrate computer science into the curriculum at every grade level. With these grants, we have a tremendous opportunity to put today’s students on a path to developing the key computer science and coding skills they need to compete for the jobs of tomorrow.”

    The 2019 General Assembly authorized up to $1.35 million in grants to provide professional development for teachers, create computer science curriculum, instructional resources, and assessments, support summer and after-school programs, and provide career exposure and work-based learning opportunities for high school students. The legislature directed that underserved students and schools performing below state standards receive priority in the awarding of the grants.

    “Computer science is a core competency Virginia students need to succeed in the workforce, but educational inequities too often limit access to the resources schools can provide for students to receive a world-class STEM education. Through funding work-based learning, after-school programs, and other hands-on learning opportunities, with an emphasis on equity, these grants will catalyze a love of computer science within students across the Commonwealth.” – Atif Qarni, Secretary of Education

    The grants were awarded as follows:

    Floyd County Public Schools — $77,166 to provide interdisciplinary professional development in computer science and to integrate the Computer Science Standards of Learning into instruction with an emphasis on underrepresented student groups.
    Radford Public Schools — $149,983 to integrate computer science in K-8 instruction and to create simulated work environments in partnership with Radford University and area businesses.
    Virginia Beach Public Schools — $148,678 to create college-level computer science courses, extra-curricular computer science clubs, career labs, and regional partnerships to provide work-based learning opportunities for students.
    Charlottesville Public Schools — $124,000 to create a partnership with the University of Virginia, Tech-Girls, and Computers4Kids to develop resources, train teachers, and engage K-8 students in computer science.
    Cumberland County Public Schools — $99,800 to provide professional development in computer science for K-8 teachers in Region 8 and to create a career connections course incorporating robotics and unmanned aerial vehicles.
    George Mason University — $125,000 to create a partnership between educational agencies and school divisions to improve the pedagogical practices and content knowledge of teachers and undergraduates in computer science and computational thinking.
    Old Dominion University — $125,000 to develop a regional partnership between Old Dominion University, school divisions, and educational organizations to broaden teacher and student access to and participation in computer science learning by training teachers, developing classroom resources, increasing knowledge of computer science career pathways, and developing computer science micro-credentials.
    Prince William County Public Schools — $125,000 to form partnerships with local institutions of higher education and local and state agencies, providing professional development opportunities for teachers and increasing awareness of the importance of computer science skills in a variety of careers.
    Stafford County Public Schools — $118,481 to form a regional consortium to develop, disseminate, and evaluate computer science resources for grades 3-8 and create a partnership with other school divisions, institutions of higher education, military agencies, and educational organizations that will develop curricular resources, performance assessments, and lead professional development in effective computer science pedagogy.
    University of Virginia’s College at Wise — $125,000 to support a collaborative effort between Region 7 school divisions and education agencies offering professional development in computer science, including workshops, conferences, and coursework for teachers in the region.
    Virginia Commonwealth University — $124,922 to create a collaborative that combines teams from CodeRVA Regional High School partner school divisions to transform existing computer science courses into thematic online modules coupled with locally relevant and authentic student challenges, and to equip teachers with culturally responsive strategies for working with diverse students.

    “The funded projects will equip our teachers to present the content of the Computer Science Standards of Learning in the context of real-life challenges and create school-to-work partnerships to connect students with career opportunities,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane. “It is truly exciting to see school divisions, colleges and universities, and the private sector collaborate to implement the standards in ways that prepare students for postsecondary and career success.”

    There is no applicable Standards of Learning test associated with computer science instruction. These academic standards were developed to provide students with a detailed understanding of the study of computers, their hardware and software designs, their applications, and their impact on society.

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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 Company Floyd County, VA

    Red Rooster Coffee Ranked Top 50 Coffee Shops in the United States in 2020

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    Floyd, VA – Big Seven Travel ranks Red Rooster Coffee at number 46, among best coffee houses across the United States.

    From super Instagrammable cafes to those catering to digital nomads and straight through to the coffee shops serving up some world-class affogatos and nitro brew, you’ll find that the best coffee shops in the United States are just as wonderfully eccentric and unique as each state you’ll find them in.

    The best coffee shops in the United States in 2020 are the ones committed to not only just the perfect pour but also ensuring that their processes benefit farmers at the source. Red Rooster is a company dedicated to roasting exquisite coffee while making an impact at origin and at home. And, it truly shows in their cafe culture and the quality of the beans they produce. In other words, the cafe’s trendy, the staff is friendly, and the coffee’s top-notch.

    Find out who else made the 50 Best Coffee Shops list.

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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.

    best of blue ridge; new river valley; readers choice awards

    NRV Wins Best of Blue Ridge Reader’s Choice Awards

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    New River Valley, VA – In the ninth annual Best of Blue Ridge Awards, readers voted on a variety of places in the New River Valley and several were featured as top picks.

    Overall Winners

    Chateau Morrisette – Best Vineyard/Winery
    The Black Dog from Chateau Morrisette – Best Wine
    FloydFest – Best Festival Overall
    FloydFest – Best Kid-Friendly Festival

    Runners-Up

    Muddy ACCE Race – MudRun/Adventure Race
    Floyd Yoga Jam – Retreat
    Gillie’s Cuisine – Vegetarian Restaurant
    FloydFest – Kid Friendly Adventure
    Claytor Lake – Flatwater
    In Balance Yoga Studio – Yoga Studio
    FloydFest – Instagram Account
    Cascade Waterfalls – Cascade
    Shaena Muldoon, The Palisades Restaurant – Personality
    Buffalo Mountain Ziplines – Zipline
    Hotel Floyd – Budget Friendly Lodging
    Blacksburg Pilates – Mind Body Studio

    Find a full list of the Best of Blue Ridge categories and winners here.

    Photo by Best of the Blue Ridge photographer winner Leslie Restivo.

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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.