Wing and MAAP Partnership

Wing and MAAP Partnership Highlighted in Virginia Economic Review

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Montgomery County, VA – The partnership between Wing and the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP) at Virginia Tech was highlighted in the Q3 2020 issue of the Virginia Economic Review. The article, titled “A Welcoming Atmosphere”, focuses on the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) research taking place in Virginia’s New River Valley and the “years of work that Wing and… MAAP have put into making drone delivery trials possible.”

In October 2019, Wing was able to successfully complete the first commercial drone delivery in the US. According to the article, Wing chose Christiansburg to be their first UAV delivery site in the US because,

“Christiansburg proved to be a good environment for drone tests because of both its proximity to MAAP and Virginia Tech and its “urban light” environment. The town offers some of the characteristics of urban areas without the challenges that more crowded cities present.”

Read the full article about the partnership between Wing and MAAP here.

Learn more about Wing, MAAP, and the unmanned systems 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.

Virginia Tech Ranked #25 for Undergraduate Entrepreneurship

Virginia Tech Ranked #25 for Undergraduate Entrepreneurship

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Montgomery County, VA – Virginia Tech ranked #25 on the list of Top Undergraduate Schools for Entrepreneurship by The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine. The 2021 list was created by evaluating data from a “survey of more than 300 schools with offerings in entrepreneurship studies”.

According to the list, which was posted in its entirety on Entrepreneur.com, one way that Virginia Tech sets themselves apart from other universities is:

“We believe great companies can start and scale anywhere, aided by the fact that startups in emerging venture communities are often more capital efficient, offer a lower cost of doing business and attract talent looking for better quality of life. Our geographic and sector diverse approach means we work with student entrepreneurs from all over the country who chose Virginia Tech because of our fantastic programs.”

Learn more about The Princeton Review rankings here.

See the full list top 50 best undergrad programs for entrepreneurs in 2021 here.

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

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

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

TECHLAB Supplies NRV COVID-19 Task Force with Reagents to Expand Testing

TECHLAB Supplies NRV COVID-19 Task Force with Reagents to Expand Testing

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Montgomery County, VA – TECHLAB® Inc., a leader in infectious disease diagnostics, announced on November 2, 2020 it has partnered with the New River Valley COVID-19 Task Force to cost-effectively expand future COVID-19 testing capacity. Under this agreement, the New River Health District secures access to TECHLAB’s analyte-specific reagents (ASRs) for SARS-CoV-2 for as little as $7-9 per use.

“As a company founded and headquartered here in the New River Valley, we are proud to work closely with public health officials to provide a cost-effective and flexible option to increase their COVID-19 testing,” said Joel Herbein, Ph.D., Vice President of Scientific Affairs at TECHLAB. “Our analyte-specific reagents can be used now to maximize COVID-19 testing by any lab that is CLIA-certified to perform medium- and high-complexity testing. We are also incorporating our ASRs into 96-well and rapid antigen tests and plan to submit to the U.S. FDA for emergency use authorization.”

“As a company founded and headquartered here in the New River Valley, we are proud to work closely with public health officials to provide a cost-effective and flexible option to increase their COVID-19 testing.”
– Joel Herbein, Ph.D., Vice President of Scientific Affairs at TECHLAB

“The acquisition of these reagents provides us flexibility for future testing capacity,” said Anthony Wilson, head of the COVID-19 Task Force. “The task force has created a mobile, flexible, and scalable testing program that can be deployed across the New River Valley, and it has helped us prevent COVID-19 from overloading our hospitals or compromising our public safety systems and services.”

“Testing continues to help us determine the prevalence of disease in our community, but the best protection is to remain vigilant,” said Noelle Bissell, M.D., director of the New River Health District. “Watch your distance, wear your mask, and wash your hands. That’s how you protect yourself and those around you.”

“TECHLAB prides itself in developing and manufacturing our reagents in-house in southwest Virginia allowing us to control our supply chain and the quality of our products,” said Rob Day, Chief Operating Officer. “We are also able to supply any CLIA lab in the United States.”

About the New River Valley COVID-19 Task Force

The New River Valley Public Health Task Force is composed of local health, public safety, education and government agencies that work to proactively provide local residents and communities with information about COVID-19, to coordinate efforts to reduce its local impact and to facilitate community recovery. For more information, visit www.NRVRoadtoWellness.com and www.vdh.virginia.gov.

If you have questions about COVID-19 or wish to request an appointment for testing at a drive-thru site, call the New River Health District’s COVID-19 public health call center at 540-267-8240.

About TECHLAB

Founded in 1989, TECHLAB, Inc. is a leading developer and manufacturer of diagnostic products. The Company has a portfolio of diagnostic tests for infectious disease and intestinal inflammation testing. TECHLAB also performs diagnostics and life science contract manufacturing and services. TECHLAB is headquartered in Blacksburg, Va. and manufactures its diagnostic tests in the United States at its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Radford, Va. For more info, visit www.techlab.com.

Media Contacts:

Robert Parker, public information officer, Western Region, robert.parker@vdh.virginia.gov
Jodie Lee, Marketing Manager, TECHLAB, Inc., jlee@techlab.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.

Exelaration Ranked #3 Best Tech Internship by Vault

Exelaration Ranked #3 Tech Internship by Vault

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Montgomery County, VA – Exelaration was ranked the #3 Tech & Engineering Internship for 2021 by Vault. Vault is nationally known for ranking “the top internship programs in various industries in diversity, quality of life, and overall best to work for.” Rankings are determined through surveys of current and past interns.

Exelaration, which runs the Blacksburg-based Exelaration Center (XC), trains interns for careers in technology by giving them real-world experiences on projects for companies such as the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance and Medeco. According to the company, “The Exelaration Center (XC) addresses the STEM skills shortage by connecting young people of varied backgrounds with the technology workforce.”

Exelaration ranked in the top 10 in many categories of the Vault 2021 rankings, including:

#2 Best Internships for Training & Mentoring
#3 Best Internships for Software Development
#3 Best Tech & Engineering Internships
#4 Best Internships for Diversity
#4 Best Internships for Quality of Life
#5 Best Internships for Overall Career Development
#7 100 Best Internships
#7 Best Internships for Real-Life Experience

Virginia’s New River Valley is a hub for the information technology industry, and Exelaration is expanding the pool of highly qualified tech talent in the region through their internship programs. Learn more here about why tech companies like Exelaration choose to grow and develop their businesses in the NRV here.

Learn more about internships offered from The Exelaration Center 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.

Card Isle Receives Investment from VFF

Card Isle Receives Investment from Virginia Founders Fund

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Montgomery County, VA – The Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) announced this week that Blacksburg-based technology company Card Isle will receive investment from the Virginia Founders Fund (VFF). VFF, which was launched in 2018, “shines a light on the creativity and impact of entrepreneurs arising from Virginia communities traditionally underserved by risk capital…[including] founders located in regions outside of Northern Virginia.”

Card Isle was founded in Blacksburg in 2013 and is “rethinking how greeting cards can be distributed in a changing retail landscape. Card Isle offers turnkey solutions to design, order, and print personalized greeting cards, and will use this capital from VFF to continue their rapid growth in the eCommerce gifting sector and develop new markets.”

Card Isle is one of many technology startups growing and expanding in Virginia’s New River Valley. Learn more about the technology industry in the region here.

Explore Card Isle’s greeting cards here.

Read the full press release from CIT about the investment 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.

Aeroprobe Featured in Virginia Economic Review

Aeroprobe Featured in Virginia Economic Review

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Montgomery County, VA – Aeroprobe was recently featured in the Q3 2020 issue of the Virginia Economic Review. The article, titled “Aeroprobe Sets Companies Up for Speed”, discussed the Christiansburg-based company’s Micro Air Data System. Many leaders and innovators in the unmanned systems field use Aeroprobe’s system.

The article also highlighted the talent benefits that Aeroprobe receives by being located in Virginia’s New River Valley. According to the article, “A critical element of Aeroprobe’s ability to attract the talent it needs is its Virginia location, minutes from Virginia Tech’s world-renowned Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering… as well as Radford University, where the physics department offers a dual degree program with Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering.”

Nathaniel Varano, Aeroprobe’s President, had this to say about locating in the NRV:

“Being here in Christiansburg gives us a centralized location in the New River Valley corridor. We’re fortunate to not only have so many universities and colleges to recruit from, but there are also so many great small and mid-sized technology companies, which draw an active community of entrepreneurs and technologists.”

Read the full article about Aeroprobe here.

Learn more about the unmanned systems field 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.

Try These NRV Coffee Roasters

Try These Five NRV Coffee Roasters

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Note: September 29 2022: This blog post, which was originally published in 2020, was updated to reflect current information about the coffee roasters on this list.  

New River Valley, VA – Virginia’s New River Valley is home to high-quality, world-class coffee roasters. Whether you are a caffeine connoisseur or new to the brew, make sure to try these five coffee roasters in the NRV.

Red Rooster Coffee – Floyd, VA

Red Rooster Coffee NRV Coffee Roasters

Red Rooster was founded in Floyd in 2010 and has received national attention for its coffee ever since. In 2018, Red Rooster was named a Top 12 Coffee Roaster in the U.S. by Forbes.

 

Chipped Mug – Christiansburg, VA

Photo courtesy of Chipped Mug Coffee

Chipped Mug Coffee is the newest addition to Christiansburg’s burgeoning coffee shop scene. It occupies the same space as the former local favorite Brugh Coffee. Longtime roaster Phillip Martin owns the Chipped Mug. Martin, who roasts all his beans in-house, brings years of experience in coffee brewing and was the former head roaster of the Radford Coffee Co.
 

Radford Coffee Co. – Radford, VA

Radford Coffee Co NRV Coffee Roasters

Radford Coffee Co., located on West Main Street in Radford, has a socially conscious business model and benefits a small town in Nicaragua.

 

Strange Coffee Company – Riner, VA

Try These NRV Coffee Roasters

Strange Coffee Company is a micro-roaster of specialty coffee based in Riner. While they don’t have a storefront, you can order coffee directly from their website or find it at one of their local retail partners across the region.

 

Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea – Blacksburg, VA

Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea NRV Coffee Roasters

The Blacksburg location of Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea has been a favorite of Virginia Tech students and Blacksburg residents for many years.

 

Coffee roasters like these are just some of the specialty beverage makers that contribute to the expanding Food Processing & Agribusiness industry in Virginia’s New River Valley. Learn more 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.

MCPS Recognized as a “School Division of Innovation” by VA Board of Education

MCPS Named “School Division of Innovation” by VA Board of Education

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Montgomery County, VA – Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) was recognized last week as a “School Division of Innovation” by the Virginia Board of Education. MCPS is among the first 15 school divisions across the state to be recognized for “designing and implementing alternatives to traditional instructional practices and school structures that improve student learning and promote college and career readiness, and good citizenship.”

Montgomery County Public Schools was specifically recognized for these innovative programs and practices:

  • Creating and offering new information technology curricula through dual enrollment
  • Creating new associate degree pathways
  • Developing an alternative model for professional studies
  • Embracing and supporting work-based learning experiences

    Virginia’s New River Valley is a hub for the information technology industry with an ever-expanding need for tech talent. School systems in the region like MCPS are meeting that need by focusing on IT instruction in K-12 curricula.

    Read the full press release from the Virginia Department of Education and see the entire list of the “School Divisions of Innovation” here.

    Learn more about the information technology industry in Virginia’s New River Valley here.

    Learn more about education 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 Leaders Listed in the ‘Virginia 500’ by Virginia Business

    NRV Leaders Listed in the ‘Virginia 500’ by Virginia Business

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    New River Valley, VA – Eight leaders across the New River Valley were listed in the inaugural “Virginia 500 – The 2020 Power List” recently published by Virginia Business magazine. This list of influential people in Virginia was created by the magazine “to be an insightful and helpful resource on leadership in Virginia.” Read more about how Virginia Business created the list here.

    The NRV leaders included in the Virginia 500 are:

  • Dan Larimer | Federal Contractors, Technology | Chief Technology Officer, Block.one
  • Franky Marchand | Manufacturing | Vice President and General Manager, Volvo Group Trucks Operations in Americas
  • Dan St. Martin | Manufacturing | President, Kollmorgen Corp.
  • John Dooley | Nonprofits, Philanthropy | CEO, Virginia Tech Foundation
  • Raymond Smoot | Economic Development | Chair, Go Virginia Region 2 Council
  • Justin Fuente | Arts, Entertainment, Sports | Head Football Coach, Virginia Tech
  • Brian Hemphill | Education | President, Radford University
  • Tim Sands | Education | President, Virginia Tech

    Learn more about the leaders, industries, and communities 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 Business Continuity Team

    NRV Business Continuity Team Available for COVID-19 Response

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    New River Valley, VA – The New River Valley Regional Commission, working in coordination with the New River Health District and the NRV Public Health Task Force, is pleased to make available the NRV Business Continuity Team (BCT), a new resource for businesses impacted by COVID-19. The BCT is available at no cost to help advise businesses navigate questions about COVID-19 at their workplace. More information about the BCT can be found here or by calling 540-639-9313 and asking for the Business Continuity Team.

    Services available include:

    • Guidance for operating in a COVID environment
    • Guidance if there is a suspected case or a known positive case
    • Development of a Business Continuity Plan
    • Access to a pool of funds on a cost-shared reimbursement* basis to help pay for on-site cleaning; public relations expertise; legal advisement for human resource matters; website support for pertinent messaging. *Business continuity plan must be executed to receive cost-shared reimbursement for services.
    • Coordination of testing, if deemed necessary

    NRV Business Continuity Team Contacts:
    Melanie Morris, Program Manager, mmorris@nrvrc.org, 540-639-9313 x248
    Ashley Briggs, Public Health Director, abriggs@nrvrc.org, 540-639-9313 x25

    Funding for the NRV Business Continuity Team is being provided by GO Virginia, NRV local government CARES Act appropriations and Community Development Block Grant funds. This resource is limited to businesses located in the counties of Montgomery, Pulaski, Floyd, Giles and the city of Radford.

    Be committed. Be well.

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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.