Floyd County Receives $2.7 Million for Economic Development

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Floyd County, VA – Cardinal News recently reported that Floyd County was awarded a $2.7 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to develop infrastructure to support the growth of their Floyd Regional Commerce Center.

According to the EDA press release, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said that the grant “will help ensure that Floyd County, Virginia has the resources necessary to create modern and sustainable infrastructure that will support local business, create good-paying jobs, and transform the local economy.”

Cardinal News stated that the grant will be used to continue to develop the 170-acre Floyd Regional Commerce Center. Only 6.4 acres are currently graded with access to roads and utilities. The funds will be used to help extend the road and utilities to the undeveloped sections of the Center. Because of the nature of the terrain, the area will eventually yield 27 buildable acres.

This grant will be matched by $680,000 in local funds.

Read the Cardinal News article here.

Read the EDA press release here.

Discover available sites and buildings 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.

The Towns of Floyd and Pulaski Receive Grants

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Virginia’s New River Valley – The Town of Floyd and the Town of Pulaski have both received grants from the Virginia governor’s office. These grants will aid the towns in bolstering growth in their localities.

The Town of Floyd was awarded over $200,000 of a Virginia Brownfields Restoration and Economic Redevelopment Assistance Fund (VBAF). According to the press release, the VBAF “provides either grants or loans to local governments to restore and redevelop brownfield sites and address environmental problems or obstacles to their reuse in an effort to effectively attract new economic development prospects.” The Town of Floyd will use the funds for multiple commercial properties in the west end of the town.

The Town of Pulaski received $500,000 for a Mixed Use on Main Street Grant (MUMS). According to the MUMS press release, this program is to “support the revitalization of vacant or underutilized downtown spaces to create opportunities for commercial development and housing units.” The Town of Pulaski will use the funds to add eight market-rate apartments to 69 West Man Street.

Read the VBAF press release here.

Read the MUMS press release 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 Growth Center Featured as EDA Success Story

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Floyd County, VA – The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) recently highlighted Floyd County’s Growth Center as a testament to the effectiveness of EDA funding in preserving jobs and enterprises in Virginia.

Positioned as vital infrastructure, this center caters to the needs of local entrepreneurs in Floyd, providing a resilient space capable of withstanding various natural disasters prevalent in the area. The construction of this 16,000 square foot facility was partially funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration through the Disaster Supplemental Funding program.

Currently housing Pragmatic Environmental Solutions, an oil recycling engineering firm, the center embodies Floyd’s commitment to green practices and sustainable solutions. Floyd County’s Community and Economic Development Director Lydeana Martin noted that “Floyd has a natural, green reputation. While ideologically conservative, our businesses support practical, forward-leaning technologies and the implementation of sustainable solutions.”

Opportunities in the Floyd Growth Center are still available. For a virtual tour of the center click here.

Read the full EDA article here.

Explore more sites and buildings 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.”

Remote Workers Love the NRV

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New River Valley, VA – Cardinal News recently highlighted a shift in the landscape of remote work in Virginia between 2019 and 2022 citing insights from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. According to the survey, remote work in Virginia’s New River Valley has surged by 101%, reflecting a growing trend of professionals opting for the region’s lifestyle. The allure of scenic vistas, affordable living, and a vibrant community makes the New River Valley an irresistible choice for remote work and living. With its beautiful landscapes and safe environments, it’s no surprise that more individuals are embracing the opportunity to work remotely from this picturesque corner of Virginia. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley feels like home for remote workers. It’s simply a natural fit. Calculate your cost of living in Virginia’s New River Valley here. Read the Cardinal News Article here. View the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey here.
Photo by Antoni Shkraba
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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 and Giles Locations Win 2024 Best of Blue Ridge Awards

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New River Valley, VA – Seven locations around the NRV recently won Best of the Blue Ridge 2024 Awards from the Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine. Another four locations were highlighted as runners up in a variety of categories.

The Best of the Blue Ridge Outdoors Awards winners were voted on by readers from around the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic region of the US. Readers voted on their favorite trails, “amazing adventures, exciting races, and local businesses”.

Winners:

Runners Up:

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

Explore the best of the outdoors 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.

NRV 2023 Top 50 Metro Area for Economic Growth in the US

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New River Valley, VA – The New River Valley is one of the top 50 places in America for metro areas that are “hotspots for economic growth”, according to Area Development. The magazine recently released its rankings of the 2023 leading metro locations that are hotspots for economic growth.

The Blacksburg-Christiansburg metropolitan statistical area (MSA), also known as the New River Valley, ranked No. 49 overall and No. 21 among mid-sized metros with populations between 160,000 to 600,000. The New River Valley is the only location from Virginia that made the top 50.

According to Area Development, they ranked “384 MSAs across 24 economic and workforce indicators pulled from eight (8) data sets — each set containing a five-year change, a three-year change, and a one-year change indicator — originating from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census, and JobsEQ® by Chmura Economics & Analytics.” The “Overall Ranking” was created by totaling the score across all data sets, with the five-year change indicators carrying the most weight and the one-year indicators carrying the least weight. The four primary indicators used to compile the rankings included Prime Workforce, Economic Strength, Year-Over-Year Growth, Three-Year Growth, and Five-Year Growth.

The “overall ranking” isn’t a product of just one indicator, but all the factors combined. This shows the New River Valley’s strength in a variety of different indicators that make it ‘a natural fit’ across the board. The region benefits from its emerging tech hub, high-tech advanced manufacturing, access to talent, great cost of living and many other key factors that make the NRV a great place to live and do business.

Read the full list of rankings here.

Read the methodology behind the report 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 Receives Grant for NRV Materials and Machinery Cluster Scale-Up

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New River Valley, VA – WSLS Channel 10 recently reported that Governor Youngkin announced $1.9 million in GO Virginia grants for eight different programs. These projects help promote economic growth and workforce development throughout the commonwealth.

A New River Valley partnership comprised of the New River Valley Regional Commission, the Virginia Tech Center for Economic and Community Engagement, and Onward NRV received close to $100,000 for the NRV Materials and Machinery Cluster Scale-Up project. According to the GO Virginia Region 2 press release, the NRV Materials and Machinery Cluster Scale-Up will “build upon the successful application to the U.S. Economic Development Administration for a Tech Hubs designation” and will map “out assets and resources that could support ecosystem growth and transformation of the cluster.”

See the full list of projects here.

Read WSLS Channel 10’s full story here.

Read Go Virginia Region 2’s press release 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.

10 Most Popular Blog Posts of 2023

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New River Valley, VA – Virginia’s New River Valley has experienced an exciting 2023! Let’s count down the top ten 2023 posts on TheNRV.org website. The following posts had the most pageviews online:

10. Broadband Partnership Brings Countywide Fiber to Floyd

Citizens Telephone Coop recently reported that their Countywide Broadband Expansion project with Floyd County is almost complete. This will make Floyd “the first of a handful of rural counties to achieve universal broadband in the Commonwealth.”

9. 2 NRV Locations Featured in Southern Living For Best Fall Foliage in Virginia

Southern Living recently highlighted two locations in the New River Valley on their “15 Virginia Parks Where You Can Catch the Best Fall Foliage” list. Claytor Lake State Park in Pulaski County was #4 and Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Floyd County was #9.

8. NRV Companies Announce 2,530 jobs and $551 million in Investment Since 2018

Virginia’s New River Valley has seen great economic success in the last 5 years. 24 new or expanding companies announced plans to create 2,530 jobs and invest over $551 million in the NRV region.

7. Radford University Partners with City of Radford to Launch The HUB

The HUB at Radford for Economic Development opened on October 17th following a ribbon-cutting ceremony. This new partnership between Radford University and the City of Radford will “serve as an economic development support system to help businesses thrive in the City of Radford and across the region.

6. NRV Famers Market Trail

If local vegetables, handpicked flowers, and fresh baked goods are what define your summer, then it’s time to hit the NRV Farmers Market Trail. Each market brings its own finds and, in some cases, music. Explore the exciting flavors that abound in the New River Valley by grabbing your bag and joining us as we delve into the local NRV Farmers Market Trail.

5. New LewisGale Montgomery ER Coming to Christiansburg

Work has begun on a new emergency room in the town of Christiansburg. This will be LewisGale’s first freestanding ER in the New River Valley. There are 2 others located in the Roanoke area.

4. Camrett Logistics to Expand and Create 58 New Jobs in Pulaski County

Camrett Logistics is expanding their capacity in Pulaski County, creating 58 new jobs and investing $2 million into the area.

3. Virginia Tech Ranks Top 3 Best College Campuses in America

Virginia Tech ranks third in 2020 Best College Campuses by Niche.com.

2. Fall Activities in the NRV

Join us as we explore fall in the NRV! The list has a little something for everyone, from exciting events to scenic adventures.

1. Four NRV Businesses Named Best Employers in Virginia by Forbes

Forbes recently released their 5th annual list of America’s Best Employers by State. Several New River Valley companies made the list for Virginia: Virgina Tech, BAE Systems, Carilion Clinic, and Volvo Group.

Discover more of the 2023 news from around Virginia’s New River Valley visit 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 Accolades and Awards for 2023

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New River Valley, VA – The New River Valley is proudly celebrating a year of triumphs and accolades that showcases how the region is filled with thriving communities and innovation. Below are just a few of the accomplishments and awards won this past year by the NRV’s counties, city, towns, schools, businesses, and universities.

Regional Awards:

Higher Education Rankings:

Business Accolades:

The Virginia Commonwealth Placements:

Explore more NRV accolades and awards here.

Photo by Anna-Louise

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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.

Broadband Partnership Brings Countywide Fiber to Floyd County

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Floyd County, VA – Citizens Telephone Cooperative recently reported that their Countywide Broadband Expansion project with Floyd County is almost complete.

Floyd County, typically known for its creative arts and music culture, has partnered with Citizens to pioneer new ways to connect rural communities that don’t rely on highways, railways, or educational institutions. According to Floyd County’s Economic Director Lydeana Martin, this 6-year project is bringing every one of Floyd’s residents “to the table of the American economy” through fiber internet.

With the assistance of federal and state funded grants and the Line Extension Customer Assistance Program to help offset construction costs, Citizens reported that this will make Floyd “the first of a handful of rural counties to achieve universal broadband in the Commonwealth.”

Read about Floyd County and Citizens innovative project here.

Watch the full story of their Countywide Broadband Expansion project 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.