VTCRC VIP Media Day Brings Global Attention to the NRV

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BLACKSBURG, VA – The Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center (VTCRC) hosted over 20 local, regional, and global media to the park for VIP Media Day last month. The exclusive event focused on recruitment opportunities for the VTCRC and highlighted the park and it’s current tenants in the media.

“VIP Media Day is the first time we have invited media to the research park,” said Joe Meredith, Ph.D., president and CEO of the VTCRC. “I am excited to showcase the tenant companies’ accomplishments and global impact.”

Michael Fleming, CEO of Torc Robotics and Del. Chris Hurst by Jon Fleming

Del. Chris Hurst, U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, and Kelly Johnson, who is U.S. Sen. Mark Warner’s outreach representative, attended the event in recognition of the VTCRC’s success.

“The research park is proud of the 180+ companies whose research and developments make an impact around the world every day. VIP Media Day was our opportunity to showcase this,” said Dawn Myers, COO of the VTCRC.

Onward New River Valley participated in the media day to support the VTCRC and the local companies that are important assets in Virginia’s New River Valley. Executive Director Charlie Jewell participated in interviews with Site Selection Magazine and Pharm Exec Magazine. Marketing Manager Abigail Hammack served as an ambassador for elected officials and representatives.

The media day featured interview opportunities, industry tours, and a helicopter flyover of the VTCRC, Virginia Tech Campus, and Virginia Tech Transportation Institute.

VTCRC Media Day Onward NRV

Virginia Tech Campus During Helicopter Flyover Tour by Abigail Hammack

Some of the coverage garnered from the event includes articles from R&D Magazine and Site Selection Magazine.

The participating companies and organizations included many within the NRV’s targeted industries: Food Processing & Agribusiness (Obis One, Pervida Beverage Company); Information Technology (Excella, 1901 Group, Click & Pledge); and Unmanned Systems (TORC, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, VPT).

Click the Industries tab for more information about industries in the NRV.

View additional photos of VIP Media Day here. For more information on VIP Media Day, visit www.vtcrc.com, email VTCRC’s business development and communication manager, Melissa Vidmar, at melissa.vidmar@vtcrc.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.

volvo manufacturing day

WDBJ: Volvo Invites Pulaski County Students to Experience the Future of Manufacturing

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FROM WDBJ – Middle school students from Pulaski County got a closer look at the manufacturing industry.

Volvo opened its doors to them for National Manufacturing Day. Students got to see firsthand what careers in the industry look like. They also had some fun building mini Volvo trucks.

The company says they want to show students that they can be successful right in their hometown.

“We manufacturers spend a lot of time trying to convince suppliers, employees from around the world to come here to the New River Valley because its super cool, but we don’t tell our own kids. So I think this is a good time to do so,” plant manager, Franky Marchand, said.

Watch video coverage from WDBJ.

Onward NRV IEDC Award

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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.

Roanoke Times Onward NRV

Roanoke Times: Onward NRV Looks to Reinvent Itself As Economy Booms

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FROM ROANOKE TIMES – Unemployment rates are the lowest they’ve been in years, facility occupancy rates are high and the New River Valley economy seems to be humming along.

But regional economic development group Onward NRV says that’s no time to sit back and coast.

Instead, the group is preparing to reinvent itself.

Onward Executive Director Charlie Jewell wants the organization look beyond attracting new employers to the region, like it has in the past. He wants the group to become a thought leader around the New River Valley, driving conversations on everything from talent attraction to promoting regional cooperation.

“We’ve come a long way from saying, ‘We have a piece of land,’” Onward board Chairman Ed Lawhorn said.

To kick things off, Onward publicly announced its first multi-year fundraising campaign this week. The group has so far raised $1.18 million toward a goal of $1.5 million, which would combine with money from local governments to fund the operation for the next five years.

Read more from Jacob Demmitt at the The Roanoke Times.

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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 River Valley Video

Onward NRV Releases New Regional Video

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NEW RIVER VALLEY, VA – Onward New River Valley is proud to release a brand new video showcasing the unique culture and assets of Virginia’s New River Valley.

The New River Valley video, which was created with Nightfire Productions, is a culmination of input from people and companies all over the NRV. It encompasses the culture of our area, while showcasing some of the unique assets in the region.

The video features the Virginia’s New River Valley branding created with Eddy Alexander, which Onward NRV has been working to rollout over the past year. The video is the latest effort to cultivate and nurture the brand.

“We’re incredibly proud to release the New River Valley video,” said Onward NRV Executive Director Charlie Jewell. “This video expresses and adds to the emotional attachment that people have to the NRV. It was created as a concerted effort to effectively brand Virginia’s New River Valley. We hope you enjoy what we believe is an excellent representation of the NRV and that you share it with everyone you know.”

Like the video? Make sure everyone sees it by sharing on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn!

For a complete list of locations in the video, or to embed it on your site, visit the video web page.

For more information, contact Onward NRV Marketing Manager, Abigail Hammack at abigail@onwardnrv.org.

Unmanned Systems Conference Blacksburg NRV VA

National Unmanned Systems Symposium to Take Place in NRV

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BLACKSBURG, VA – The Ridge & Valley chapter of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) will host their second annual conference on October 9-10 in Blacksburg, VA to explore the state of unmanned systems technology, education, and research.

Peter Kunz, Ph.D., the Chief Technologist at Boeing HorizonX, will be the keynote speaker at the symposium.

The event will focus on the theme, “At the Intersection.” Main event programming will occur on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg at the Inn at Virginia Tech. Local tours and other activities will be off-campus in the Blacksburg area.

The theme represents the progress in unmanned systems technology and the challenges and opportunities increasingly appearing at the intersections of fundamental areas: human with machine; sensing with control; open architecture with secure software and communication; air with land and sea.

“I’m so excited for ‘At the Intersection,’” said Nanci Hardwick, CEO of Aeroprobe and President of AUVSI Ridge & Valley. “Our second annual event is coming after the extreme success of our first event, which brought attendees and speakers from all over the country and was regarded as a highly organized event that delivered a lot of value to participants. ‘At the Intersection’ is another great opportunity for unmanned systems professionals to learn more about the current state of the industry. Plus, it calls attention to all the fantastic companies and assets we have here in the New River Valley.”

The event will feature plenary speakers, interactive panels, and demonstrations by leaders from industry, government, and education. Activities will include networking, recruiting opportunities, and tours of area unmanned systems facilities.

Abstract submissions and registration for the event are still open.

Contact

For more information visit www.auvsiridgeandvalley.org/events or contact Abigail Hammack at abigail@onwardnrv.org. Follow AUVSI Ridge & Valley on Facebook and Twitter.

About AUVSI Ridge & Valley

The Ridge & Valley chapter of AUVSI seeks to advance unmanned systems at the regional level, and to help drive publicity and awareness for the region as a resource for technical expertise. Additionally, the chapter seeks to bring more unmanned systems companies and jobs to the area, while working with local colleges and universities to develop educational and workforce development needs.

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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.

Onward NRV Receives 3 Awards for Regional Marketing

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Onward NRV SEDC Awards

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

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

Onward NRV SEDC Awards

Awards

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

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

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

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

SEDC

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

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

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

View the full list of award winners here.

Contact Information

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

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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 DARPA

BAE Systems Is Pioneering Defense Autonomy

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VIRGINIA’S NEW RIVER VALLEY – Autonomous technologies are a lot more visible in 2018 than they were decades ago, but they were definitely still around. In fact, NRV Company BAE Systems was (and still is) leading the charge.

BAE Systems has been working on advanced automated technologies for over 20 years. It is the top provider for almost every significant U.S. Department of Defense program. BAE was even the first developer of the technology used in the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Join Unmanned Combat Air System (J-UCAS) program.

Now BAE has expanded to other areas and continues to make great strides in the unmanned systems industry.

For more information, check out “BAE Systems A Pioneer of Autonomy Technologies for More Than 20 Years” on the BAE Systems website.

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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.

first residential drone delivery

First Residential Drone Delivery Completed in Montgomery County

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Virginia’s New River Valley – Two-year-old Jackson Smith from Montgomery County received a very special delivery last Tuesday: a popsicle. But this popsicle was inside what is considered the most advanced drone package delivery in America.

After the Smith family clicked “Confirm Order” on an app, a drone flew 1.4 miles from a simulated “store” to deliver the goods. Instead of the drone touching back down in a residential area, it lowered the package using a tether. According to Bloomberg the whole process took about six minutes.

The demonstration was conducted by Wing, a subsidiary of Google, a Virginia Tech’s Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership. It was an FAA-approved test under the U.S. government’s Integration Pilot Program.

Wing hopes to commercially launch this kind of program in the future.

For more information, check out coverage from Bloomberg or the Roanoke Times.

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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.

Nanosonic, NRV job market, NRV top job market in US

The NRV Named a Top 10 Job Market by USA Today

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VIRGINIA’S NEW RIVER VALLEY – The Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford MSA (also know as Virginia’s New River Valley or the NRV) was named the #6 Top Job Market in the U.S. according to USA Today, yesterday.

NRV Job Market a top job market in the US

The ranking was created by Zippia, a job search site that used data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Zippia looked at wages, unemployment, and current jobless rates.

“These metro areas are home to growing, well-paying jobs,” said Chris Kolmar, Zippia’s head of marketing. “These are the metros that have seen bigger decreases in unemployment and increases in wages than competing metros.”

Virginia’s New River Valley is an excellent place to live and work and has been consistently recognized as such. Other recent acknowledgments include:

  • “Best of the Mountains” 16 Times
  • #11 Best Place to Work in Manufacturing
  • Top Affordable Metro Attracting YPs
  • #10 in High Tech Employment Concentration

    • The NRV has an excellent workforce that is fueled by great higher education institutions like Virginia Tech, Radford University, and New River Community College. Plus, the endless lifestyle amenities make it an excellent place to live.

    For more information, visit 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.