NRV Tech Companies Make Inc. 5000 List of America’s Fastest-Growing Companies

NRV Tech Companies Make Inc. 5000 List of America’s Fastest-Growing Companies

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Montgomery County, VA – Two NRV tech companies made the Inc. 5000 list for 2021. These annual rankings by Inc. magazine list the “fastest-growing private companies in the United States” and are a “hallmark of entrepreneurial success”. According to Virginia Business, only 310 companies across the state of Virginia were included on this prestigious list.

Here are the two NRV companies that made the 2021 Inc. 5000 list along with their rankings:

#4,606 Modea: 56% 3-Year Growth
#4,712 Harmonia Holdings Group: 51% 3-Year Growth

This is the third time Modea has been ranked on the Inc. 5000 list since 2010. Harmonia Holdings Group has made the Inc. 5000 list eleven times since 2009.

Read more about the history of the Inc. 5000 rankings here.

See the full Inc. 5000 list for 2021 here.

Learn more about the fast-growing tech sector 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.

Carilion NRV Medical Center Excellence in Nursing

Carilion NRV Medical Center Awarded Excellence in Nursing Designation

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Photo courtesy of Carilion Clinic

Montgomery County, VA – Carilion New River Valley Medical Center was recently awarded the Pathway to Excellence designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The Pathway to Excellence program focuses on six essential standards of a positive nursing practice environment, including shared decision-making, leadership, safety, quality, well-being, and professional development.

According to Kristi Hall, D.N.P, senior director of nursing at Carilion NRV Medical Center,

“This [Pathway to Excellence designation] highlights the level of nursing quality we have at CNRV. This certification identifies our hospital as an organization that facilitates and supports our nursing staff.”

Carilion NRV Medical Center is one of only eight hospitals across Virginia to be awarded this prestigious nursing designation.

Read the full press release from Carilion about the Excellence in Nursing designation here.

Watch news coverage about the award from WDBJ7 here.

Learn more about living 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.

Riner VA Best Small Town to Live

Riner is VA’s Best Small Town to Live in for 2021

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Montgomery County, VA – Riner is Virginia’s best small town to live in for 2021 according to HomeSnacks.com. The website listed Riner in the #1 slot on its list of the top ten “Best Small Towns to Live in Virginia”.

To create this list of ideal places to live, HomeSnacks.com evaluated small towns with populations below 1,000 on categories such as home values, income, unemployment rates, crime rates, and poverty rates. Riner has a population of 888, according to the data.

Read the entire “Best Small Towns” list here. Learn more about HomeSnacks.com here.

Learn more about Riner and Montgomery 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.

Blacksburg High School Among Top 100 STEM High Schools in U.S.

Blacksburg High School Among Top 100 STEM High Schools in U.S.

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Montgomery County, VA – U.S. News & World Report ranked Blacksburg High School as one of the Top 100 Best STEM High Schools in the United States for 2021. BHS came in at #94 on the list.

STEM stands for the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. To create the list of the Best STEM High Schools, “U.S. News looked at the top 1,000 public schools from our latest Best High Schools rankings, and then evaluated their students’ participation and success in Advanced Placement science and math tests.”

Blacksburg High School also moved up nine spots from last year to rank #21 among public high schools in Virginia. In addition, U.S. News and World Report ranked BHS #981 out of the nearly 18,000 public high schools ranked in 2021. This means Blacksburg High School is ranked among the top 6% of high schools nationally.

See U.S. News and World Report’s rankings of Blacksburg High School here.

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

Learn more about Blacksburg, a town 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.

VT and Radford Among Best Value Colleges in Virginia

VT and Radford Among Best Value Colleges in Virginia

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New River Valley, VA – Virginia Tech and Radford University are among the top 10 best value colleges in Virginia according to SmartAsset.com. Virginia Tech is ranked #3 for 2021, which is up one spot from the previous year. Radford University is ranked #8 for 2021, which is two spots higher than university’s last ranking in 2019.

According to SmartAsset’s methodology, the company “looked at five factors to determine the best value colleges and universities in the U.S.: tuition, student living costs, scholarship and grant offerings, student retention rate and starting salary for new graduates.” Each institution was given a College Education Value Index and ranked based on their index score. Virginia Tech’s score was 71.91 and Radford University’s score was 43.11.

See SmartAsset’s Best Value Colleges Virginia ankings list and methodology here.

Learn more about higher education in Virginia’s New River Valley here.

Photos: Radford University (left) and Virginia Tech (right)

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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 Disc Golf Courses

Play a Round at These NRV Disc Golf Courses

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New River Valley, VA – One of the best ways to enjoy the outdoors in Virginia’s New River Valley is to play a round of disc golf. Whether you’re a beginner or a disc golf enthusiast, make sure to explore all of these free, public courses in the region!

Golden Hills Disc Golf Course – Christiansburg, VA

Golden Hills is Christiansburg’s 37-hole disc golf course run by Montgomery County Parks & Recreation. It has two separate 19-hole courses, Golden Bear or Black Bear, which share a final hole. Golden Hills has a unique layout and “is one of only 19 [public courses] in the United States with 37 holes.”

Randolph Park Recreation Disc Golf Course – Dublin, VA

This 18-hole disc golf course is located at Randolph Park in Dublin. The course winds through the 87-acre park and is available to the public during park hours.

Disc Golf Course @ The VTCRC – Blacksburg, VA

The disc golf course at the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center (pictured above) consists of nine holes located throughout Phase I of the research park. Make sure to enjoy the lake views by holes 1 and 2!

Camp Success Disc Golf – Narrows, VA

Camp Success Campground in Narrows has an 18-hole disc golf course available. The campground “boasts approximately a quarter of a mile of frontage along the New River and 500 feet along Wolf Creek.”

Municipal Park Disc Golf Course – Blacksburg, VA

Municipal Park Disc Golf Course is one of the newest in the region. It consists of nine holes and surrounds Blacksburg’s parks and recreation facilities.

Chantilly Farm Disc Golf Course – Floyd, VA

Chantilly Farm has a 9-hole disc golf course that is open to both camping guests and the general public. The camp store offers discs for rent or purchase if players do not have their own available.

Virginia Tech Disc Golf Course – Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Tech Rec Sports opened a new disc golf course in April 2021. This par-62 course is located near the Duck Pond and next to the Virginia Tech Golf Course. It has nine baskets with two tee boxes at each basket.


Disc golf is just one of the many outdoor amenities available throughout Virginia’s New River Valley. Learn more about outdoors 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.

NRV Community Building Projects Win ARC Funding

NRV Community Building Projects Win ARC Funding

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New River Valley, VA – Community building projects in Pulaski and Montgomery Counties were recently recommended for funding by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). The two NRV projects are among 13 projects that, according to Governor Ralph Northam, “align with [Virginia’s] ongoing efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of all those in our Appalachian communities by creating new economic opportunities, building critical infrastructure, preparing a skilled workforce, and supporting community development.”

Here is more detailed information about both projects:

Calfee Training School Adaptive Reuse
$500,000
Town of Pulaski
This project will repurpose an historic African American school into a childcare center, commercial kitchen, digital learning lab, and museum highlighting local Appalachian African American leaders and history. In addition, the project will provide an event space for community use, cultural and educational programming, and small business incubation and meeting spaces. The project will retain 64 full-time jobs and create 17 full-time jobs through the construction of the facility.

Montgomery Museum of Art and History
$25,000
Montgomery County
This project will expand the Montgomery Museum of Art and History to provide more exhibit, event, and research space as well as create new digital and technological infrastructure and improve care of the collections. The expansion will enhance community engagement, accessibility, diversity, and sustainability of museum programming, supporting the community and economic development efforts of Southwest Virginia.

Click here to learn more about the Calfee Community & Cultural Center.

Click here to learn more about the Montgomery Museum of Art and History.

Click here to read the full press release about the community building projects around the Commonwealth that were recommended for ARC funding.

Click here to learn more about the communities in Virginia’s New River Valley.

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

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

Wing Makes National News

Wing Makes National News for Innovative Deliveries

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Photo courtesy of Wing

Montgomery County, VA – Want Girl Scout cookies or hot coffee delivered to your door by drone? Wing’s got you covered! The company made national news several times in recent weeks for their innovative deliveries. Wing has been delivering to Christiansburg customers by drone since they completed the first U.S. commercial drone delivery in 2019, but they recently expanded their offerings.

In April, Wing began a partnership with Virginia Skyline Troop 224 to deliver Girl Scout cookies to customers by drone. They will be offering cookie delivery through May 31st. According to the Associated Press, “Wing said it began talking to local Girl Scout troops because they’ve been having a harder time selling cookies during the pandemic, when fewer people are out and about.”



More recently, NBC Nightly News’s Jacob Ward visited Christiansburg and received the first hot coffee delivered drone in U.S. history. The coffee came from local coffee roaster Brugh Coffee, who has been working with Wing to deliver cans of cold brew coffee since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020. Hot coffee is a new addition to Wing’s drone delivery menu in Christiansburg.



Christiansburg is the only place in the United States where commercial drone deliveries are available. Residents who live within Wing’s delivery area can order a wide variety of things including Girl Scout cookies, hot and cold coffee, library books, baked goods, chocolates, Mexican food, and pharmacy items.

Virginia’s New River Valley is a hub for the unmanned systems industry. Learn more about the NRV unmanned systems industry here.

Learn more about Christiansburg, a town 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.

Passenger Rail Expanding to New River Valley

Passenger Rail Expanding to New River Valley

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Montgomery County, VA – Passenger rail will be expanding to the New River Valley by 2025. Governor Ralph Northam announced this week that Virginia has reached an agreement with Norfolk Southern Railway to extend passenger rail service to the region. This will be the first time since 1979 that the NRV will have passenger rail service.

The current service, which stops in Roanoke, will be expanded to Christiansburg in 2025 after Norfolk Southern finishes rail infrastructure improvements. The route will be part of the Amtrak Northeast Corridor service. It will travel between Washington, D.C. and Christiansburg with stops in Alexandria, Burke, Manassas, Culpeper, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, and Roanoke.

Passenger rail in the NRV will help make the region more accessible. According to Governor Northam, “Bringing passenger rail service back to the New River Valley will fuel tourism, drive economic growth, and create new opportunities for the region’s 180,000 residents and 40,000 college students.”

Read the full press release about the Western Rail Initiative here.

Learn more about Christiansburg, a town 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 Tech Industry Highlighted in Virginia Economic Review

NRV Tech Industry Highlighted in Virginia Economic Review

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Montgomery County, VA – The Virginia Economic Review recently highlighted the NRV tech industry in an article titled “Virginia’s Smaller Metros Prove Fertile Ground for Tech Headquarters”. The article features some of the tech companies headquartered in Virginia’s New River Valley, such as Modea, Torc Robotics, and Ozmo, and why they chose to base their businesses in the region.

The article also highlights the business advantages that the New River Valley has to offer tech companies. As Ozmo’s CEO David Catalano stated when the company’s expansion was announced in 2019, “Our proximity to Virginia Tech provides us with a unique advantage of access to top talent, while also being able to offer exceptional quality of life for our employees.”

Click here to read the Virginia Economic Review’s article about the tech industry in Virginia’s smaller metros.

Click here to learn more about the tech industry in Virginia’s New River Valley.

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

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