Virginia Tech Transportation Institute Received Record-Setting $50 Million in External Awards

Virginia Tech Transportation Institute Received Record-Setting $50 Million in External Awards

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Montgomery County, VA – A recent article from Virginia Tech Daily highlighted Virginia Tech Transportation Institute’s major research advancements for fiscal year 2020. VTTI received a record-setting $50 million in external awards for the year. This funding allowed for the following major research programs and projects to be pursued:

  • U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Automated Driving System Demonstration Grants
  • Virginia Smart Roads Expansions
  • Automated Mobility Partnership (AMP) Program
  • Drivers Knowledge and Correct Use of New Technology Features in Vehicles
  • Refining Testable Cases and Scenarios Concepts
  • Safety Implications of Potential Advanced Driver Assistance Systems Sensor Degradation

    • Virginia’s New River Valley is a hub for the unmanned systems industry. VTTI is one of the leaders in the region for unmanned systems and transportation safety research.


    Read the entire article describing VTTI’s research projects for fiscal year 2020 here.

    Learn more about the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute 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.

    New Modea Headquarters in Blacksburg, VA

    Modea to Invest $100,000 and Create 20 New Jobs in Blacksburg

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    Montgomery County, VA — Governor Ralph Northam today announced that Modea, a technology company that specializes in digital strategy for healthcare organizations, will invest $100,000 to grow its operation in Montgomery County. Headquartered in Blacksburg, Modea recently moved to a larger office space located at 301 South Main Street and will expand to accommodate new business, creating 20 new jobs.

    “Modea’s success in Montgomery County is demonstrating that growth in the tech industry is happening across diverse regions of Virginia,” said Governor Northam. “This pandemic continues to highlight the value of digital health solutions like those that Modea offers its customers. The New River Valley has become a hub for technology businesses of all sizes, and we are proud to see this homegrown company expanding and creating new jobs in our Commonwealth.”

    “The New River Valley has become a hub for technology businesses of all sizes, and we are proud to see this homegrown company expanding and creating new jobs in our Commonwealth.”
    – Governor Ralph Northam

    Modea was founded in Virginia in 2006 and focuses exclusively on the healthcare industry. The company provides strategic consulting and integration services, and designs customized software solutions and mobile applications for hospital systems and other healthcare organizations. Modea’s clients include Vanderbilt University Health, Children’s National Health System, and Carilion Clinic.

    “Modea has been an important employer in Montgomery County for nearly 15 years, serving high-caliber healthcare clients’ IT needs from its growing operation in Blacksburg,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball. “The company’s ability to adapt and develop solutions in the constantly changing health tech industry is impressive, and we thank Modea for its commitment to the region and the Commonwealth.”

    “Modea was founded in Blacksburg, Virginia because of the incredible quality of life and the availability of technical talent in the New River Valley,” said Christopher Riegger, Chief Operating Officer at Modea. “COVID-19 is shining a bright light on the need for better digital tools in healthcare and demand for our services is growing quickly. As we scale to meet this need, doing so here in Blacksburg allows us to leverage strong, local relationships and retain our company culture.”

    “Modea was founded in Blacksburg, Virginia because of the incredible quality of life and the availability of technical talent in the New River Valley.”
    – Christopher Riegger, Chief Operating Officer at Modea

    The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Montgomery County to secure the project for Virginia and will support Modea’s job creation through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP). VJIP provides consultative services and funding to companies creating new jobs in order to support employee recruitment and training activities. As a business incentive supporting economic development, VJIP reduces the human resource costs of new and expanding companies. VJIP is state-funded, demonstrating Virginia’s commitment to enhancing job opportunities for citizens.

    “Modea has done an excellent job of identifying a need and quickly providing a solution to meet the need,” said Steve Fijalkowski, Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors. “We’re proud companies like Modea choose to make Montgomery County their home, which in turn creates quality job opportunities for our citizens.”

    “We’re proud companies like Modea choose to make Montgomery County their home, which in turn creates quality job opportunities for our citizens.”
    – Steve Fijalkowski, Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors

    “Modea’s expansion is a significant win for our region’s future and our growing economy,” said Senator John S. Edwards. “Modea is a technology leader that exemplifies the New River Valley’s entrepreneurial spirit and world-class tech talent.”

    “I have enjoyed working with Modea as they have grown as an industry leader in healthcare technology,” said Delegate Chris Hurst. “We are very proud that the New River Valley is home to such innovative technology companies as Modea. We look forward to their continued growth and success.”

    Office of the Governor
    Contact: Alena Yarmosky
    Email: Alena.Yarmosky@governor.virginia.gov

    Virginia Economic Development Partnership
    Contact: Suzanne Clark
    Email: sclark@vedp.org

    Modea
    Contact: Chris Riegger
    Email: chris.riegger@modea.com

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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.

    NRV Companies Receive $300,000 to Fund Research & Development

    NRV Companies Receive $300,000 to Fund Research & Development

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    Montgomery County, VA – Four Blacksburg companies were recently awarded incentive grants through the Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund (CRCF) to fund research in unmanned systems, life sciences, and clean energy. Governor Ralph Northam announced in Junethat the businesses were among 26 across the Commonwealth to receive the awards. According to the governor’s press release, “The [CRCF] accelerates innovation and economic growth in Virginia by advancing solutions to important state, national, and international challenges through technology research, development, and commercialization.”


    Read more about the grant winners from Blacksburg below:

    Commercialization Program
    Cowden Technologies, LLC | Mr. Mickey Cowden
    A Smart Docking Station for Drones, $75,000, Unmanned Systems, Blacksburg

    Eksdyne Inc. | Mr. Joshua Eckstein
    A Magnetohydrodynamic Actuator System for Robotics, $74,915, Unmanned Systems, Blacksburg

    Techulon Inc. | Dr. Nrusingh Mohapatra
    PPNA-Based Antimicrobial Therapeutics Against Multi-Drug-Resistant Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter, $75,000, Life Sciences, Blacksburg

    Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Matching Funds Programs
    Li Industries, Inc. | Mr. Nolan Schmidt
    Effective Materials Separation for Low-Cost Lithium Ion Battery Direct Recycling, $75,000, Clean Energy, Blacksburg


    Read the governor’s full press release here.

    Read more about the Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund 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.

    Blacksburg Ranked Among Top 100 Small Cities/Towns in US

    Blacksburg Ranked Among Top 100 Small Cities/Towns in US

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    Montgomery County, VA – BestCities.org recently ranked Blacksburg among the top 100 small cities/towns in the United States on their 2020 list of America’s Best Small Cities. Resonance Consultancy created the report by ranking cities/towns based on the following six categories: place, product, people, prosperity, programming, and promotion.

    Blacksburg ranked 86th overall and 18th under the place category. The report defined place as, “The perceived quality of a city’s natural and built environment, including the sub-categories of Weather, Safety, Neighborhoods & Landmarks, and Outdoors.”

    Here is what BestCities.org had to say about Blacksburg:

    Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (aka Virginia Tech) calls Blacksburg home, its roots reaching back to 1872 when it opened as Virginia’s white land-grant institution. Some 34,000 students attend annually, with the institution planning for an aggressive expansion: an additional 7 million gross square feet in facilities over the next three decades. Located in the Blue Ridge Highlands of Montgomery County, the city ranked #12 for Universities, helping it land a #50 spot for Product overall. In addition to having the youthful, lively feel of a college town, Blacksburg’s appeal stems from its sense of safety. Blacksburg Police Department has aid agreements in place with Virginia Tech Police Department and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, yielding one the lowest crime rates in the country (#2). The local police will have shiny new headquarters come 2021; The city is putting $25.5-million toward the new 35,000 square foot department as part of a $100-million development downtown that will see close to 100 new townhomes go up.

    Blacksburg is one of the many communities that make up Virginia’s New River Valley. The NRV is a great place to live, work, and do business. Learn more about our region at www.theNRV.org.

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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 Communities Receive $775,000 in Appalachian Regional Commission Grants

    NRV Communities Recommended to Receive $775,000 in Appalachian Regional Commission Grants

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    Montgomery County, VA – Governor Ralph Northam announced this week that two projects in Virginia’s New River Valley will be among those recommended to receive funding from Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grants to help stimulate economic development. Close to $775,000 in grants will be awarded to the local projects which will enhance the quality of life for residents in Virginia’s New River Valley. The ARC will finalize approval of these awards later in 2020.

    Here is more detailed information from the press release about both of the projects:

    Downtown Christiansburg Community Gathering Space
    $275,000 ARC Award
    Town of Christiansburg
    The Christiansburg Community Gathering Space will create a welcoming farmers market and multipurpose cultural anchor space in downtown Christiansburg that will act as a catalyst for future economic growth and vibrancy, and serve the need for both programmed and spontaneous outdoor public space use.


    YMCA at Virginia Tech – Y Cares Childcare Center
    $499,985.50 ARC Award
    Town of Blacksburg
    The YMCA at Virginia Tech’s Y Cares Children Center is designed to create approximately 20 to 25 new full-time jobs in the region and provide training and mentor opportunities to individuals entering the workforce.

    Read the full press release, including information on the other 15 projects, 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.

    Drones to Deliver Library Books

    Drones to Deliver Library Books to Kids in Christiansburg via Wing Partnership

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    Montgomery County, VA – A recent article by The Washington Post describes a new pilot program between Wing, a drone delivery service, and Montgomery County Public Schools. The company has partnered with the school system to use drones to deliver library books to students in the Christiansburg area this summer. The deliveries will begin the week of June 8, 2020.

    The idea was hatched by Blacksburg Middle School librarian Kelly Passek. Here is what she had to say about the new program in the article:


    “I think kids are going to be just thrilled to learn that they are going to be the first in the world to receive a library book by drone.”

    Wing started drone delivery of food, beverages, medications, and packages to select Christiansburg customers in October 2019. Virginia’s New River Valley is an expanding market for the unmanned systems industry, including drones. Learn more about the growth of this industry in our region here.

    Read the entire article from The Washington Post here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/06/10/wing-library-book-drone-delivery/

    See a video from Wing about the project here:
    https://medium.com/wing-aviation/wing-delivers-library-books-to-students-in-virginia-b2cd0ad86551

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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.

    Torc Robotics Headquarters

    Torc Robotics Plans to Grow Company 50% by End of 2020

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    Press Release from Torc Robotics Blacksburg, VA– Torc Robotics, a leader in self-driving vehicle systems, continues its strong recruiting efforts even under social distancing and safer-at-home orders. Torc has steadily added new employees since January and plans to increase the company size by more than 50 percent before year end. Torc’s recruiting process has changed to accommodate personal safety during the pandemic. “We are very fortunate that most of us can work from home – and our team has been using this time to scale up our virtual testing and future fleet infrastructure,” said Michael Fleming, Torc’s CEO. “Over the past 10 years, we’ve built our culture on winning teams and find that Torc’rs are great at solving problems – including bringing on new team members during a pandemic,” he said. Adaptations for full-time hiring have included video panel interviews and additional relocation assistance for full-time employees. Until the Torc offices reopen, new hires are working from home and being onboarded remotely. A new cohort of team members started this week, and all are quickly learning the ropes, according to Fleming. Torc is hiring across multiple software engineering areas, including infrastructure and tools, web development, Linux, and cloud technology. Torc also remains committed to summer internships and co-op positions, which have been transformed to remote work opportunities for summer 2020. Students in these positions are fully embedded into technical teams and interact with Torc’rs across the company via coffee chats, lunch & learns, and other collaboration opportunities. The company’s continued growth supports Torc’s automated truck development in partnership with Daimler Trucks North America, the market leader in trucking. “Over the next several years, we will continue to hire aggressively,” said Fleming. “Commercializing automated trucks on public roads is complex and we will need additional talent to get us there,” he said. “This is a marathon, not a sprint and our team is committed to the long-term.” To accommodate its growing team, Torc is completing a new headquarters expansion later this year, which will add nearly 16,000 square feet and is designing additional future expansion projects. Torc develops Level 4 self-driving technology, which does not require human intervention, but operates within specific areas or use cases, such as locations, or types of roads. Torc partners with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and mobility companies to integrate the technology on their vehicle platforms. In 2019, Torc joined the Daimler Trucks family to partner on commercializing self-driving truck technology. “At Torc, our mission is to save lives through self-driving technology,” Fleming said. “The fastest path to commercialized is through OEMs and the strongest business case is in trucking.” To learn more about employment opportunities at Torc Robotics, visit their Careers page. About Torc Robotics: Torc Robotics, headquartered in Blacksburg, Virginia, is a member of the Daimler Trucks family. Torc offers a complete self-driving vehicle software and integration solution and is currently focusing on commercializing self-driving trucks. Torc has more than 10 years of experience in automating heavy equipment for safety-critical applications.
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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.
    Harmonia Recognized as one of Virginia's "Fantastic 50"

    Harmonia Recognized as One of Virginia’s “Fantastic 50”

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    Montgomery County, VA – The Virginia Chamber of Commerce recognized Harmonia Holdings Group on it 2020 Fantastic 50 list, a ranking of the 50 fastest-growing companies in Virginia. It was the only company from Virginia’s New River Valley to make the list.

    Harmonia Holdings Group was born in 2006 at Virginia Tech’s Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg to bring innovation and change to the federal IT sector. It believes that with federal budgets shrinking, there was a huge opportunity to bring more efficiency to government through innovative technology solutions. From the start, Harmonia focused on two simple foundational ideas, recruit top talent to the team and provide world-class benefits and an environment to succeed, as well as develop innovative solutions for the government.

    To be eligible for the Fantastic 50 list, a company must be privately held with headquarters in Virginia, show revenues between $200,000 and $200 million, and demonstrate positive revenue growth and positive net income in its most recent fiscal year over the previous year. Companies are judged on four-year revenue history.

    Harmonia Holding Group is one of over 80 technology companies located in the New River Valley. Collectively, the sector employs over 1,1600 professionals that are helping define and advance cutting-edge technologies of tomorrow in blockchain, unmanned systems, cybersecurity, software, and digital creative.

    To learn more more about Harmonia Holdings Group, including current job openings, visit: www.harmonia.com