1901 Group Expansion

The Next Big Trend in IT

/0 Comments/in , , /by

VIRGINIA’S NEW RIVER VALLEY — 1901 Group recently announced that they will add 580 jobs to their Blacksburg location. This follows what 1901 Group Founder Sonu Singh refers to as “the next big trend in rural IT jobs.”

“Our goal of creating high-quality IT jobs clustered in rural areas is the best way to improve quality and performance for the federal government, especially as the pace of cloud adoption increases,” said Singh in a recent Virginia Business article. “Our revenue and headcount growth are proof that this is the next big trend in rural IT jobs.”

“Virginia Tech is one of many pipelines,” said Senior Vice President Brian Lubin in the same article. “It’s an important one, but it’s not the only one. … Draw a 20-mile-radius circle around Blacksburg, and there’s probably 50,000 college students that, in a lot of cases, have a technology focus in Virginia Tech, Radford and also New River Community College.”

Read more about 1901 Group, their presence in Virginia’s New River Valley, and their plans for the future from Tim Thornton at Virginia Business.

###

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.”

NRV job fair

NRV Job Fair Expo

/0 Comments/in , , /by

DUBLIN, VA – If your company is looking for new employees, the New River Valley Job Fair Expo is a great place to look. The NRV job fair will help connect companies to highly-skilled workers in the following industries:

  • Healthcare
  • Manufacturing
  • Information Technology
  • Service Industries

    • NRV Job Fair

    Click to enlarge

    The event will be held at New River Community College in Dublin (Edwards Hall, Room 117) from 9am to Noon on April 3, 2019.

    Register at www.surveymonkey.com/r/NRVExpo19.

    For more information contact:
    Kimber Simmons
    540-357-1651
    kimber.simmons@vcwnmr.com.

    ###

    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.”

    1901 Group and Radford University

    Three-Year Partnership Prepares IT Students for Jobs of the Future

    /0 Comments/in , /by

    ~ 1901 Group and Radford University Join Forces with Hands-on Education in Cyber Security and Cloud Technologies ~

    RESTON, VA – Industry leading companies and universities must work together to develop students with the right skills to face the challenges and needs of the global economy. To support the growth of tomorrow’s workforce, 1901 Group announces its partnership with Radford University’s (RU) Artis College of Science and Technology through its Applied Research Center (ARC) to help students achieve their academic goals and create broader career opportunities.

    To enhance the student’s educational experience and provide them with hands-on projects, Radford University’s ARC, an industry consortium, brings together students with industry partners to explore emerging enterprise technologies. The consortium provides real-world learning experiences and encourages students to interact with industry professionals thereby gaining the skills to communicate solutions effectively.

    “Attracting, developing, and retaining premium talent is crucial for our industry and we are excited to join Radford University to support this mission, said Sonu Singh, CEO 1901 Group. “Our long-standing relationship with Radford University provides students with a meaningful work experience and educational opportunities through mock interviews, internships, real-world projects, and permanent positions. Hands-on industry experience with cloud technologies increases job opportunities as it reduces the time, expense, and risk of hiring new graduates.”

    For the past year, 1901 Group has been a founding sponsor with Radford University (RU) to support the future generation of tech students. Currently, 1901 Group is engaged with the University to add ServiceNow development skill-based projects to the undergraduate class curriculum, offering real-world experience within the 1901 Group environment.

    “1901 Group is an outstanding partner,” said Dr. Jeff Pittges, ARC Director. “They are giving our students valuable experiences they cannot obtain in the classroom.”

    About 1901 Group, LLC: 1901 Group is a leading FedRAMP authorized managed service provider in the public sector market and delivers innovative IT solutions by leveraging our Enterprise IT Operations Center to provide 24×7 support of end users, complex IT infrastructure environments, and mission critical systems. We deliver cloud, cyber security, and enterprise scale managed services to transition customers from traditional on-premise IT infrastructure and support models to hybrid cloud solutions that improve performance and reduce costs. We proudly support customers that span federal, state, and local governments, including law enforcement and criminal justice agencies, and commercial markets. Customers benefit from our 24×7 Cloud Factory with FedRAMP authorization, ISO 9001 certification, and CMMI Maturity Level 3 appraisals. Visit our newsroom and simplify IT with 1901 Group.

    ###

    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.”

    VA Best State

    Virginia Is Business Facilities’ 2018 State Of The Year

    /0 Comments/in , , , , /by

    ~The Commonwealth secures BF’s top annual honor with a diversified and successful high-tech growth strategy.~

    TINTON FALLS, NJ – Virginia has been named Business Facilities magazine’s 2018 State of the Year.

    “Virginia snared more than $5.5 billion in capital investment for its top two projects, and its top five job-creation efforts netted nearly 28,000 new jobs in a diverse and well-executed growth strategy that has made VA a high-tech force to be reckoned with,” said BF Editor-in-Chief Jack Rogers.

    Rogers noted that VA has been a perennial contender for BF’s top honor due to its proximity to Washington DC, making it an attractive location for major corporate headquarters. In recent years, the Commonwealth has invested in fiber-optic networks that have made Northern Virginia the nation’s leading data center hub.

    “The 21st-century infrastructure that Virginia has meticulously installed will serve as a fertile root system that will nurture a lush forest of high-tech enterprises in the Commonwealth for years to come,” Rogers said. “Virginia not only is ready to compete in the emerging high-tech battleground—it shows every intention of dominating the field.”

    Crystal City, VA emerged last fall as a winner of the most coveted economic development project of the young century when Amazon awarded the city half of its $5 billion, 50,000-job HQ2 project (Long Island City in Queens, NY got the other half of the HQ2 mega-project, which was bisected by Amazon boss Jeff Bezos shortly before the site selections were announced).

    The ultra-high-profile HQ2 victory was the second volley in an impressive one-two punch that also saw Micron announce in August a $3-billion expansion of its semiconductor complex in Manassas, VA. Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra told Reuters the expansion would meet the burgeoning demand for more powerful computer chips that run collision-avoidance systems and other semi-autonomous automotive systems, a global market expected to reach $6 billion by 2021.

    “Our State of the Year honorees usually have one thing in common,” Rogers said. “They can walk and chew gum at the same time—which in this case means they’re upgrading traditional industries while accelerating emerging growth sectors.”

    New investments in traditional industries in VA in 2018 included paper and packaging leader WestRock’s decision to put $248 million into its paper mill and extrusion facilities in Alleghany County.

    Virginia also excelled as a prime destination for foreign direct investment, including an announcement from Press Glass, the largest independent flat glass processing operation in Europe, to establish its first Virginia manufacturing facility in Henry County.

    Virginia posted a strong showing in BF’s 2018 State Rankings Report, earning top-10 results in our Best Business Climate, Cybersecurity Employment Leaders, Drone Leaders, and Workforce Training Leaders categories, among others.

    Business Facilities is a national publication that has been the leading location source for corporate site selectors and economic development professionals for more than 50 years.

    ###

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

    Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.

    Onward NRV Hosts VEDP Technologies & Services Team

    /0 Comments/in /by

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

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

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

    tour Virginia's New River Valley

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

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

    tour Virginia's New River Valley

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

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

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

    tour Virginia's New River Valley

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

    tour Virginia's New River Valley

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

    ###

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

    Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.

    Onward NRV IEDC Award

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

    /0 Comments/in , , , , , /by

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    ###

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

    Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.

    Onward NRV Receives 3 Awards for Regional Marketing

    /0 Comments/in , , , , , /by
    Onward NRV SEDC Awards

    VIRGINIA’S NEW RIVER VALLEY – Onward New River Valley is proud to have received three awards from the Southern Economic Development Council through their 2018 Communication Awards Competition. All submissions featured the river stone branding for Virginia’s New River Valley created with Eddy Alexander.

    “We are so thankful to receive three SEDC awards this year,” said Onward NRV Executive Director Charlie Jewell. “The Virginia’s New River Valley branding was, and still is, a huge initiative to raise the visibility of our region as a great place to live, work and do business. We’re very glad to be recognized by our peers in this way. I want to thank our Marketing Manager Abigail Hammack and Eddy Alexander for ensuring the projects were a success.”

    Onward NRV SEDC Awards

    Awards

    Best of Class, Small Division, for the Virginia’s New River Valley rebranding
    Certificate of Excellence for the Targeted Industry Brochures
    Certificate of Excellence for the Virginia’s New River Valley Website

    The rebranding submission included the brand book explaining the meaning and messaging behind the Virginia’s New River Valley river stone brand. It also included other implementations of the brand such as promotional material and documents.

    The brochures, which were created in-house, were submitted in the series of four, one for each targeted industry: Advanced Manufacturing, Food Processing & Agribusiness, Information Technology, and Unmanned Systems. The series in total received the award.

    The website submission included the entirety of the Virginia’s New River Valley website.

    SEDC

    The Communication Awards are announced during SEDC’s annual conference. Submissions are evaluated in four divisions. Virginia’s New River Valley is in the “Small Division,” which includes all communities or regions with populations of less than 500,000.

    The judges for the awards are economic development professionals from the Southern U.S. The awards are only given to economic development organizations.

    The Southern Economic Development Council is a non-profit membership organization and the oldest and largest regional economic development association in North America.

    View the full list of award winners here.

    Contact Information

    For more information, contact Onward NRV Marketing Manager Abigail Hammack.

    ###

    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, Advanced Manufacturing, Virginia's New River Valley

    New Brochures Showcase NRV Industries

    /0 Comments/in , , , , , /by

    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.

    ###

    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.

    Virginia Ranked the #7 Most Innovative State

    /0 Comments/in , , , /by

    NEW RIVER VALLEY, VA — The Commonwealth of Virginia was ranked the no. 7 most innovative state by Forbes. Advanced technology has greatly developed in Virginia and is expected to continue flourishing. In the original article, Forbes notes:

    “[Virginia] is noteworthy for having the highest share of technology companies in the country. It ranked second for projected STEM job demand by 2020.”

    Rackspace Web Hosting, Located in the VT Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, VA, boasts an open, laid-back work environment for their IT professionals.

    Virginia’s New River Valley names Information Technology as one of the targeted industries for the region. Optimal office space, cutting-edge resources, and access to talent make the NRV an excellent fit for technology-related businesses. The lower cost of living and sophisticated culture in our collection of down-to-earth small towns make the region a great fit for people interested in working in IT.

    Cover photo features the interior space at Qualtrax, a compliance software company located in Downtown Blacksburg.

    ###

    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.

    Qualtrax Featured in Virginia Business

    /0 Comments/in , , , /by

    Qualtrax, a compliance software company in Montgomery County, VA, was featured in Virginia Business earlier this month. Qualtrax, which originated as a subsidiary of what is now Christiansburg’s FoxGuard Solutions has grown to 33 employees. Almost of half of whom were added this year.


    Located in Downtown Blacksburg, Qualtrax preserved much of a former Masonic Lodge building. While they may call a historic building home, the new company has many modern amenities including a game room and a spot for employee slippers.

    Read more from Stephenie Overman of Virginia Business. If you’re interested in rocking slippers to work, Qualtrax is currently hiring.


    ###


    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.