Pulaski County Announces $55 Million Broadband Expansion

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Pulaski County, VA – WSLS News recently reported that Pulaski County is partnering to invest $55 million to connect thousands of homes to high-speed internet. This broadband expansion is part of a larger plan for economic growth that will make the county a more attractive place to live and work.

Pulaski County, with aid from a state grant, is partnering with All Points Broadband and the Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) for the project. The plan is to connect roughly 8,000 homes using 420 miles of fiber cable.

According to Jonathan Sweet, Pulaski’s County Administrator, this marks the largest investment in utilities in the history of Pulaski County. Jonathan stated that the project is “a game-changer for the county, for the citizens, for the business community, for our 40 by 30 initiative. It’s going to help accelerate having 40,000 people call Pulaski County home by 2030.”

Watch WSLS’s coverage of the story here.

Discover more about Pulaski County in Virginia’s New River Valley here.


Photo by Pixabay


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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.

Patrick Enterprises Corporation Plans Expansion

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Giles County, VA – Patrick Enterprises Corporation is planning an expansion to meet the needs of future projects according to a recent press release from Giles County. Patrick Enterprises is a custom metal fabrication company in Pembroke that is celebrating its fortieth year in business in 2023. 95% of the company’s current 25 employees have been working at Patrick Enterprises for over 10 years.

Patrick Enterprises is planning to invest in new machinery and technology which will spur on the need for an additional five positions this spring and another 25 positions in the future. One of the reasons for this upcoming investment is the company’s partnership with Trova Commercial Vehicles in Pulaski County to manufacture components for Trova CV’s new products. Patrick Enterprises believes that working with the startup company will bring new opportunities for employment and growth. They are excited about the future as they expand their products and facilities.

Watch a video about Patrick Enterprises Corporation here.

Learn more about Giles County, a community 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.

6 NRV Locations Win Best of Blue Ridge 2023 Awards

6 NRV Locations Win Best of Blue Ridge 2023 Awards

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New River Valley, VA – Six well-known locations and events around the NRV recently won Best of the Blue Ridge 2023 Awards from Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine. Additionally, there were six businesses from around the region that were highlighted as runners up in different categories.

This is the 13th annual Best of the Blue Ridge Awards. In November 2022, readers of Blue Ridge Outdoors voted on their “favorite outdoor businesses, events, food/drinks, and destinations in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic” to determine this year’s winners.

Browse the New River Valley’s Best of the Blue Ridge winners and runners up below:

Winners:

Runners Up:
  • Mountain Lake Lodge: Best Kid-Friendly Adventure Spot
  • Buffalo Mountain Ziplines: Best Zipline
  • 5 Mile Mountain Distillery: Best Distillery
  • Red Rooster Coffee: Best Coffee Shop
  • Runabout Sports: Best Running Shop
  • Mountainside Holistic Clinic: Best Wellness Center


    • See all the Best of the Blue Ridge 2023 award winners here.

    Explore more of the outdoors across 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.

2022 NRV Awards and Accolades

Celebrate the NRV with 2022 Awards and Accolades

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New River Valley, VA – The NRV is a great place to live, work, and do business, and because of that fact, the region was celebrated throughout 2022. Below is a list of just a few of the accolades and awards won this year by the NRV’s counties, city, towns, schools, businesses, and universities.

Regional Rankings

10 Most Popular NRV Blog Posts of 2022

10 Most Popular NRV Blog Posts of 2022

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New River Valley, VA – 2022 was an exciting year in the New River Valley! Explore the ten most popular blog posts of the year from TheNRV.org. The following posts had the most pageviews online.

10. The Future of Trucking Arrives in Pulaski

This post highlighted a Cardinal News article about Trova CV, an NRV start-up company working to transform existing diesel trucks to electric trucks.

9. Financial Agreement Reached in NRV Passenger Rail Expansion

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority and Norfolk Southern announced the financial closing of the agreement which will help bring passenger rail to the NRV within the next few years.

8. World’s Largest 3D Printing Project Finds a Home in Pulaski County

Alquist 3D announced a project to construct 200 3D-printed housing units in Pulaski. It was dubbed the “world’s largest 3D printing project”.

7. Great Ways to Turn Fall into Fun in the NRV

Explore ten things to do in the fall in New River Valley in this popular blog post!

6. Volvo Lands Largest VNR Truck Order to Date

It was announced in March that Performance Trucks, a California-based logistics company, ordered 110 of Volvo’s VNR electric trucks to be manufactured in the company’s NRV factory.

5. Amenities and Recreation Pave the Way for a Renaissance in Pulaski

This blog post featured a Cardinal News piece, titled “Pulaski Reinventing Itself”, which explored the work being done to improve and develop amenities throughout the Town of Pulaski.

4. Radford’s Highly Anticipated Highlander Hotel Set to Open Soon

This blog post highlighted a Virginia Business magazine article promoting the upcoming opening of Radford’s new Highlander Hotel. The hotel and conference center is scheduled to open in Spring 2023.

3. Three NRV Businesses Named Best Places to Work in VA

Modea, Aeroprobe, and Community Housing Partners were all named on the 12th annual list of best places to work in Virginia by Virginia Business magazine.

2. Industry and Jobs Flowing into the New River Valley

This blog post celebrated four 2021 business announcements throughout the New River Valley that were featured in a Virginia Business magazine article. In total, the four announcements brought 274 new jobs and over $29 million in capital investment to the region.

1. Passenger Rail Station Proposed for Former NRV Mall Site in Christiansburg

The most popular blog post of 2022 highlighted an article from The Roanoke Times detailing that the proposed NRV passenger rail station would be in one of two locations at Uptown Christiansburg development (formerly the NRV Mall).

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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.

Cardinal News Highlights Unique NRV Electric Truck Partnership

Cardinal News Highlights Unique NRV Electric Truck Partnership

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Pulaski County, VA – Cardinal News has published an article detailing how two NRV companies, Camrett Logistics and Volvo Trucks North America, are operating in an unusually effective symbiotic manner.

According to the article, “Camrett… provides third-party warehousing and distribution services for clients including the Volvo Trucks North America plant in Dublin.”

Since July 2022, Camrett has been using VNR electric truck it bought from Volvo to move parts from their warehouses, located in Fairlawn and Dublin, to Volvo’s plant. This allows Camrett to share with Volvo how the trucks are preforming in real time and in real-world usage scenarios. In return, Camrett gets to beta test the new technology in a rather safe manner.

Collin Peel, founder and CEO of Camrett Logistics, says in the article,

“This is a near-perfect scenario to test the electric trucks. The current truck is running probably a 10-mile loop. So if something were to ever happen, it’s only 10 miles from the shop. And it’s working very well. We actually have it running roughly 20 hours a day.”

Though unofficial, the unique partnership between Camrett Logistics and Volvo is just one example of the innovative and collaborative business culture that exists in Virginia’s New River Valley.

Read the full article from Cardinal News here.

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

Learn more about doing business in the New River Valley here.

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

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

Red Sun Farms Featured on “Where The Food Comes From”

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Pulaski County, VA – The Dublin greenhouse of Red Sun Farms was recently featured on a season two episode of television show Where the Food Comes From. In the episode, titled “Tomatoes from the Ceiling”, Red Sun Farms Director of Operations Jay Abbott shows host Chip Carter the benefits of growing tomatoes in a greenhouse in a humorous and informative manner.

The piece examines the many facets of indoor growing including irrigation using recycled rainwater, the introduction of bees to aid in the pollination of various vegetables, and the stringent sanitation practices that keep the growing spaces spotless and free of harmful bacteria.

Red Sun Farms is one of the largest greenhouse growers in North America with operations in the New River Valley, Canada, and Mexico. In 2021, the company was named the seventh largest greenhouse grower in the U.S. by Greenhouse Grower magazine for the total amount of square footage they occupy in Dublin (2,090,880).

Watch a bonus clip from the episode here:

Learn more about Red Sun Farms here.

Learn more about the Food Processing & Agribusiness 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.

Amenities and Recreation Pave the Way For a Renaissance in Pulaski

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Pulaski County, VA – Pulaski is again making headlines in Cardinal News’s new piece titled “Pulaski Reinventing Itself.”

Darlene Burcham is Pulaski’s town manager and is quoted in the article saying,

“I think after COVID, we and other communities were pleasantly surprised that people started looking at us,” she said. “Some of the developers that have purchased land in our community are from outside the area. We have a more reasonable cost of living and doing business right now than some of the communities to our north. And so people are looking at us as an attractive place to make their home or to develop their business. And we’re going to take advantage of it.”

The article explores new development and the town’s new downtown attractions. These include a large splash pad for warm weather fun and the new Pulaski Mountain Bike Park that opened on October 12th.

Cardinal News quotes Pulaski County’s Chief Administrative Officer Jonathan Sweet regarding his take on what makes the town so special saying,

“It’s an amazing place full of amazing people, a rural community that offers everything you would expect a rural community to offer, and so much more. We are creating new jobs, building the housing stock, and shaping a community for that generation of working professionals.”

Read the full article here.

Learn more about Pulaski County, a community 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.

BAE Systems Extends Contract for Radford Army Ammunition Plant Through 2026

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Radford, VA – Virginia Business recently published an article detailing that the Radford Army Ammunition Plant has secured an extended contract for operations through 2026. The contract is managed by BAE Systems, which is one of the largest Department of Defense contractors in the world.

In the article, Brian Gathright, vice president and general manager of BAE Systems Ordnance Systems Inc. explains the economic importance of the Radford plant to New River Valley residents saying,

“The Radford Army Ammunition Plant means a lot to our BAE Systems workforce, but also to the generations of families in our community that have kept the site running since World War II.”

BAE oversees about 3,000 employees in the region and has been the prime contractor for the operation of the Radford plant for the last decade. Through economic ups and downs, BAE has been able to keep a stable and consistent labor force throuought that time by showing employees the money. Brian Hamilton, Montgomery County’s director of economic development is quoted in the atricle saying,

“Radford Army Ammunition Plant employees receive higher than average manufacturing wages, which has a substantial economic impact on the region.”
The article refers to a report by the Virginia Employment Commission, which states that “BAE ranks seventh among largest employers in the New River Valley behind powerhouses such as Virginia Tech, Volvo Group North America Inc., Radford University and Carilion New River Valley Medical Center.”

The City of Radford would likely look much different if it was there at all if not for the large impact of the ammunition plant.  Kimberly D. Repass, the city’s director of economic development  elaborates saying:

“Historically, the ammunition plant has been instrumental in developing and establishing neighborhoods and infrastructures here in Radford dating back to the 1950s.”

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

Learn more about the benefits of living and working in the NRV 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.

The Future of Trucking Arrives in Pulaski

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Pulaski County, VA – Cardinal News recently featured an article titled “In Pulaski, Driving Toward the Future,” highlighting a local electric vehicle manufacturer in the NRV. Trova Commercial Vehicles is making history with a process that enables the transformation of existing diesel trucks to electric.

In the article, Patrick Collignon, Trova Founder and CEO, explains the process in easy-to-understand detail saying,

“We take all the components that age well, the cab, the hood, the body, the front axle, the rear axle, all those components that will survive you and me, and we transplant them onto our chassis. So what we have done is we redesigned from scratch a new chassis, a chassis that we believe … is more tailored to the specific components that are critical to an electric drive line.”

According to the article, the process described above means that there is a signifigant savings both from a environmental and cost standpoint. “If you talk about reducing greenhouse gasses, it’s not only at the vehicle’s tailpipe, but now we start reducing that at the tailpipe of the factory,” Collignon said.

The conversion process is still being refined, but Collignon hopes to offer a one-week turnaround saying,

“That means you bring in your diesel truck on Monday, and the next Monday, you drive away with a brand new electric driveline. So that’s a different story than waiting 18 months for a vehicle to come. So lead time is drastically shorter. The cost is drastically less.”

Read the full article about Trova’s advances to electric fleet vehicles here.

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

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

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