Christiansburg is 2nd Best City to Live in Virginia

Christiansburg is 2nd Best City to Live in Virginia

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Christiansburg, VA – Christiansburg is ranked as the second best city to live in Virginia by creditdonkey.com.

CreditDonkey scored the cities in Virginia based on:
  • Odds of being a victim of a violent crime
  • Commute time
  • Income
  • Residents who attended some college
  • Restaurants per capita

    • Only cities with an average commute of 30 minutes or less were included.

    Christiansburg’s scores were:
  • Odds of being a victim of a violent crime: 1 in 709
  • Commute time: 19.1 minutes
  • Income: $50,276
  • Residents who attended some college: Bachelor’s Degree or higher 33.6%
  • Restaurants per capita: 1 per 316 inhabitants

    • The atmosphere of Christiansburg was described as “progressive small town living at its best”.

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

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

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

    VT Corporate Research Center Plans to Open Co-Working Workspace

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    BLACKSBURG, VA – The Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center (VTCRC) will soon be home to a unique and innovative co-working community, called COgro. COgro is a community of entrepreneurs, professionals, remote workers, early stage and startup companies, trailing spouses, temporary staff, and companies in transition to permanent spaces at the VTCRC to conduct business.
    “The research park serves as the perfect location for entrepreneurs and established business owners in an environment like no other. There isn’t a business or industry that we are targeting, but instead we want to house those who are passionate about what they do and looking for an environment that inspires.” says Dawn Myers CPM, Chief Operating Officer.
    COgro will offer a flexible workspace with many amenities such as free parking, Wi-Fi, 17 conference rooms, HUBZone designation, weekly snacks, unlimited coffee, tea, and flavored waters, networking and training events; access to copy, print, fax, and scan machines; recreation areas and leagues; and all the other amenities and benefits that employees of the research park receive. “We are excited about the grand opening, October 1, 2019 and the impact this will have on the region. The co-working community will house 64 members in unreserved and reserved workstations and two-and four-person offices. Leasing is now available for those looking to be part of a co-working environment that goes beyond the basic needs of a desk and chair.” Said Joe Meredith, Ph.D., President and CEO Construction is set to begin this month and after the October 1st opening, the VTCRC will host two celebrations: Private Media/Press Open House | Tuesday, October 8 at 2:00 p.m. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony | Wednesday, October 9 at 11:30 a.m.
      Hosted by the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce
    Stop by to tour the space, check out the unique spaces, and meet others from the community.
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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.
    Aerial of Downtown Blacksburg, Virgnia

    Blacksburg Named Top Ten Safest College Town

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    Blacksburg, VA – SafeWise names Blacksburg ninth safest college town in America.

    Each year SafeWise assesses the safety of college towns by analyzing the number of violent crimes and property crimes in each area. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault while property crimes, which were only considered if there was a tie in violent crime rate, are burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson. Blacksburg moved up 13 spots this year as a result of cutting the number of violent crimes nearly in half to 0.53 per 1,000, 3.96 below national average. Property crimes also decreased to 7.46 per 1,000, 19.65 below national average. This improved safety climate is in part due to the ongoing relationship between Blacksburg police and the Virginia Tech police force. The two departments signed a memorandum of understanding allowing them to share jurisdiction and resources including radio and security camera access.

    Blacksburg is only one of two cities in the Commonwealth of Virginia that made the Top 50 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.

    Torc and Daimler

    Torc Robotics Announces New Jobs and Expansion in Blacksburg

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    Blacksburg, VA – Torc Robotics announces building expansion ground breaking at their Blacksburg headquarters to accommodate their growing team. Torc Robotics, a leader in self-driving vehicle systems, broke ground mid-August on a new headquarters expansion that will almost double the existing space. The 15,800-square-foot addition will serve Torc’s growing team, which is expected to expand significantly with Daimler Trucks’ pending acquisition of a majority stake in the Blacksburg-based company. Torc and Daimler Trucks, a division in the Daimler Group, the inventor of the truck and world’s largest manufacturer of heavy and medium trucks, recently announced that they would be joining forces in a one-of-a-kind combination to commercialize highly automated trucks (SAE Level 4) on U.S. roads. This acquisition, combined with Torc’s expanding commercial capabilities and additional strategic partnerships, is contributing to Blacksburg’s growing national reputation for technology prowess. This livable, high-tech community is home to hundreds of innovative technology firms, specializing in information technology, unmanned systems, biosciences, advanced manufacturing and more. The region is free from brutal commutes and high housing costs found in many tech hubs. Once the acquisition is complete, Torc will be part of the newly established Autonomous Technology Group—part of Daimler Trucks’ global effort to put highly automated trucks onto the roads within a decade. Torc will remain a separate entity, retaining its name and expanding its team, existing customer base and facilities in Blacksburg.
    “A larger team will position us to meet the growing demand of our customers in the self-driving space and engage the trucking market. We are a passionate, tightly-knit team, motivated to save lives and transform transportation. We are looking forward to adding new Torc’rs.” – Michael Fleming, CEO of Torc
    Torc’s current job openings include positions in active sensing and information fusion, self-driving behaviors, path planning, systems engineering, vehicle safety and testing, senior-level management, planning and operations. The forthcoming two-story building, which will accommodate the surge of new employees, will include offices, community rooms, garage bays and parking. It is expected to be completed by March 2020.
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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.
    1901 Group

    1901 Group Officially Breaks Ground on Blacksburg Expansion

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    Blacksburg, VA – 1901 Group, the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center (VTCRC), and local leaders all join to celebrate the groundbreaking of 1901 Group’s Enterprise IT Operations Center (EITOC) expansion in Blacksburg, VA. The VTCRC will be building 1901 Group’s 45,000 square foot EITOC to provide a state-of-the-art Operations Center to support 1901 Group’s continued growth of cloud, cybersecurity, and managed services business. The expansion of the new EITOC building coincides with 1901 Group’s 10th anniversary and its’ mission to drive sustainable high-tech jobs in rural America. “1901 Group worked with the VTCRC to design the facility to support our rapid growth in the public sector. The layout and configuration are specifically designed for customers seeking substantial performance gains via innovative services to help them assess, migrate, and optimize their mission-critical applications through cloud computing and IT delivered “as a service”, said Paul Wilkinson, EVP 1901 Group. “1901 Group’s new Enterprise IT Operations Center in Montgomery County adds to the region’s economic momentum and booming technology sector,” said Governor Northam. “The company’s decision to expand its presence into rural Virginia speaks volumes about the area’s low operating costs, quality of life, and skilled workforce that continue to attract forward-thinking IT companies. We thank 1901 Group for investing in Montgomery County, and look forward to the company’s future success in the Commonwealth.” “The VTCRC is proud to have played a role in the 1901 Group’s expansion. Their commitment to excellence has enabled them to successfully demonstrate that they can hire, attract, train, and retain outstanding employees in this region.” Joe Meredith, Ph.D., VTCRC President and CEO. “For ten years, the 1901 Group has been providing high-quality IT services, including the kind of cybersecurity protections that are crucial in safeguarding against ever-changing threats and vulnerabilities online,” said Sen. Mark R. Warner. “I am glad to see that 1901 Group will be able to keep investing in the Blacksburg community and continue to create the kind of sustainable, high-tech jobs that will define our 21st century economy.” Many local organizations, financial intuitions, and leaders played a role in developing this project. Partners in the project include: VTCRC, VT Foundation, TKA Architects, EDC, and Avis Construction Company.
    “We believed in the model of building IT factories, enterprise operations and development capabilities located in areas with access to talent, a great quality of life and an affordable cost of living. This milestone helps us achieve our vision of engaging rural communities across America to create the next wave of IT talent.” – Sonu Singh, President and CEO of 1901 Group
    The new facility will house customer-facing software engineering, security, and operations teams along with 1901 Group’s FedRAMP authorized Cloud Migration Factory that provides full lifecycle cloud services from discovery and assessment to cloud managed services. To meet the rapidly increasing demand for cloud migration services in the public sector, 1901 Group has launched Cloud Pathways, a comprehensive training program designed to develop IT professionals into cloud architects and engineers. Additionally, 1901 Group is working in partnership with Virginia Tech and Radford University to develop the next generation of cloud, security, and operations engineering talent. 1901 Group is committed to growing talent in Southwest Virginia to address the deficit of skilled cloud practitioners in the public sector. “We applaud 1901 Group’s commitment to talent development and cooperative partnerships between industry, education, and communities across the urban-rural continuum as they build capacity to support and serve their customers,” said Virginia Tech President Tim Sands. “We look forward to working with them in their new VTCRC facility to further develop the talent pipeline, provide real-world student experiences, and meet the growing technology needs across the commonwealth and the country.” Onward NRV
    “Congratulations to 1901 Group on its expansion in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center. Virginia’s New River Valley is an emerging IT hub due to companies like 1901 Group. Our region provides a supportive culture, access to world-class universities, and a small-town lifestyle that is attractive to many IT professionals. 1901 Group exemplifies how companies are leveraging the many attributes of our region to support their success and growth.” – Charlie Jewell, Executive Director of Onward New River Valley
    “We are proud to be involved with everyone who contributed to this groundbreaking effort,” said Singh. “It is an exciting time to see 1901 Group evolving into a market leader while improving quality, performance, and security of customers information technology solutions”.
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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.
    VT Drone Cage

    Virginia Tech’s Drone Park Celebrates One Year

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    Montgomery County, VA – The Drone Park at Virginia Tech continues to create new opportunities across campus after being open for over a year.

    The park opened last Spring as a result of the collaboration between the College of Engineering, the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, and the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science (ICTAS). The 85-foot tall cage offers new resources to both users inside and outside of the university. Within the first year, over 2,000 people have utilized the park. The typical users are students building and testing custom drones or professors providing hands-on flight experience for their class. Additionally, you can find the university’s top-ranked drone racing team practicing their skills and the drone design team testing out drone-delivery systems.

    “Faculty and students across the campus are working together to develop new opportunities for advancing research around unmanned aerial vehicles. As a leader in the development and testing of this technology, Virginia Tech continues to create field-based facilities and build research capacity and expertise for improving these important systems.”
    – Cyril Clarke, VT Executive Vice President and Provost

    The park offers the tallest flight space in the country and provides a unique “freespan” flight space made possible by steel cables holding the net up. The net provides an extra layer of safety for new pilots and experimental aircraft. The net also means the airspace is exempt from Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines which enables researchers to test prototype aircraft and run tests like nighttime flights and fully automated missions that would be otherwise prohibited in open airspace. Additionally, the park provides resources for pilots at any level. They have a collection of aircraft for individuals just starting out and tools to modify aircraft as more experience pilots are practicing their skills. University Libraries has even launched a drone-lending program where students can check out aircraft to fly in the park.

    Learn more about booking time at the drone park and park protocol 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.

    Drone Deliveries

    First U.S. Drone Delivery Location Announced

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    Christiansburg, VA – Christiansburg will be the home to the first U.S. trial location for drone delivery.

    Wing, a Google subsidiary, was the first the drone delivery system to receive the Air Carrier Certification from the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). They have also partnered with the Commonwealth of Virginia to work on federal, state, and local policies surrounding unmanned systems. Additionally, they collaborated with the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP) to conduct hundreds of drone deliveries to staff and students at Virginia Tech in 2016 and in 2017 as part of NASA and the FAA’s unmanned traffic management system testing.

    “I believe unmanned technology has the potential to fundamentally transform our economy and our lives — and southwest Virginia is poised to be at the forefront.” – Senator Mark Warner

    They have selected a location in Christiansburg off Welcome Street, near Lowe’s, however have not released what type of deliveries or what neighborhoods will receive the deliveries. Wing has stated that they plan to be launching by the end of the year, with hopes for the first launch coming this Fall.

    The goal is to partner with local retailers to conduct deliveries through the use of an app where customers can place their order and then receive it at their doorstep in a small cardboard box. The company has said that the drone can fly up to 6 miles from the original location which means they could theoretically reach well beyond Interstate 81 to the south of its nest and north of the Drillfield on Tech’s campus.

    Read more about all the cool partnerships Wing has in Australia and Finland, their existing locations, 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.

    BT

    Blacksburg Transit Named Outstanding Transit System of North America

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    Blacksburg, VA – American Public Transportation Association (APTA) selected Blacksburg Transit (BT) the 2019 Outstanding Transit System award for North America. Each year, APTA chooses a transit system that performs exceptionally as an organization as well as benefits the community. The award was received for the small urban system category which is defined by annual ridership of four million or less and includes bus systems and rail transportation in North America. Transit systems were scored on their performance in 24 quantitative and qualitative criteria.
    “We’ve had unprecedented ridership growth of 22 percent over the last three years when most systems in our industry are facing declines. Through employee dedication, innovation and the support of our stakeholders we’ve taken the organization to new heights while never compromising our high standards.” – Tom Fox, BT Director
    Blacksburg Transit has 50 buses that serve 13 routes in Christiansburg and Blacksburg, including on Virginia Tech’s campus. Virginia Tech students and employees can even ride for free when they use their Hokie Passport. BT passengers can also make connections to other bus lines that serve Radford, Roanoke, and Washington, D.C. Click here to learn more about Blacksburg Transit including maps, routes, and schedules.
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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.

    Ozmo Completes Two-Year VALET Program

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    RICHMOND — Governor Ralph Northam today announced that 14 companies from across the Commonwealth have graduated from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s (VEDP) Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) Program. The program, which now has 290 graduates, assists Virginia exporters that have firmly established their domestic operations and are committed to international exporting as a growth strategy. “The Virginia Leaders in Export Trade program provides growth-minded companies with the tools and expertise they need to navigate new markets and successfully export overseas,” said Governor Northam. “International trade is a powerful economic engine in our Commonwealth and we are proud to support this valuable program that helps businesses of all sizes and industries thrive in the global marketplace. I congratulate these Virginia companies on their tremendous international performance and I am confident they will see continued success here in Virginia and abroad.” The graduating companies recognized during an event in Richmond today include:
    • Ozmo, Inc. (Montgomery County)
    • Avizia (Fairfax County)
    • Axis Global Enterprises Inc. (City of Virginia Beach)
    • Fulcrum Concepts, LLC (King and Queen County)
    • Global Center for Automotive Performance Simulation (GCAPS) (Halifax County)
    • High Threat Concealment (James City County)
    • Higher Logic (Arlington County)
    • International Flooring & Protective Coatings, Inc. (IFPC) (City of Norfolk)
    • Klas Telecom Government Inc. (Fairfax County)
    • Logos Technologies LLC (Fairfax County)
    • Matrix International, Inc. (Fairfax County)
    • PunchOut2Go, LLC (Albemarle County)
    • Red 5 Holdings, Inc. (Fairfax County)
    • The PBE Group (Tazewell County)
    Currently, the VALET program has 45 companies as participants. The program provides participating companies with export planning services and assistance from a team of experienced international service providers to help meet the companies’ international business goals. To date, 335 Virginia companies have participated in the VALET program.
    “The VALET program, administered by VEDP’s dedicated International Trade team, is one of our most well-regarded tools for bolstering trade activity in the Commonwealth. This world-class program has helped nearly 340 homegrown companies to increase their export sales, contributing economic growth and ensuring that Virginia remains competitive in the global marketplace.” – Stephen Moret, VEDP President and CEO
    The Commonwealth of Virginia exports more than $35 billion in goods and services annually. Exports of Virginia’s products and services to the world are vital to the growth of the Commonwealth, supporting more than 257,000 jobs and generating $2 billion in annual tax revenue. VEDP offers numerous programs to assist Virginia companies with selling into the global marketplace and has a network of international market research consultants covering more than 70 countries around the globe. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1995 to encourage, stimulate, and support the development and expansion of the economy of the Commonwealth. To accomplish its objectives of promoting economic expansion within the Commonwealth, the Partnership focuses its efforts on business recruitment, expansion, and international trade development. For more information on the VALET Program click 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.
    Floyd

    Virginia’s New River Valley Claims Top Trending Mountain Destinations

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    Virginia’s New River Valley – Two counties in the NRV were selected as the “Top Trending Virginia Mountain Destinations 2019” by Blue Ridge Country Magazine.

    Both Floyd County and Montgomery County made it into the top five for the state of Virginia. Floyd County is quoted as “a haven of natural beauty renowned for small-town hospitality and for a vibrant, eclectic culture of music, arts, outdoor recreation and local foods, farms and spirits.” They highlight Montgomery County as “a perfect mid-Atlantic destination for getting outdoors while staying connected to town amenities.”

      1. Floyd County
      2. Roanoke County
      3. Montgomery County
      4. Albemarle County
      5. Culpeper County

    The magazine chose their top eight locations based on increases in travel spending from 2016 to 2017 according to the U.S. Travel Association. Once the top eight was identified from the data, the readers voted on their favorite/hope-to-visit locations.

    Virginia’s top five locations, make up a larger top 35 locations for the Blue Ridge Mountains. Click here to read more.

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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.