Montgomery County Earns Top 10 Ranking for Best School Districts in VA

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Montgomery County, VA – Inside NOVA recently published an article detailing the top ten Virginia school districts using Niche rankings. Niche ranks school districts based on various criteria, including academics (SAT/ACT scores and state proficiency tests), teacher salaries, expenses per student, and access to extracurricular activities. According to the data, Montgomery County Public Schools has ranked # 10 on the list for 2022.

It is no secret that great schools attract great teachers. Research shows that engaged teachers can dramatically impact students’ academic goals and interests. Students leaving high school with a basic understanding of what they want to pursue academically and personally are far more likely to secure advanced degrees in a field they deem rewarding.

This impact has far-reaching effects, including higher lifetime earnings. The article references U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data saying, “Bachelor’s degree holders will earn an average of roughly $26,000 more each year than high school graduates. And for those who decide that pursuing a college degree is not the best postsecondary option, a good school will provide students with the tools and support to make that choice and the foundational skills necessary to succeed in the workforce.”

Good schools are also a reflection of great communities. In addition to the excellent schools in Montgomery County, the cost of living, outdoor recreation opportunities, proximity to higher education, and plentiful jobs all play a major role in the overall health of the educational ecosystem.

#10. Montgomery County Public Schools (Christiansburg)

– Number of schools: 21 (10,016 students)

– Graduation rate: 93% (81% reading proficient and 86% math proficient)

– Average teacher salary: $52,281 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)

 

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

Learn more about the quality of life 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.

 

Cardinal News Covers Blacksburg-Based Company Aiming for the Stars

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New River Valley, VA – Cardinal News recently published an article detailing a role that VPT, a Blacksburg-based company, plays in a planned future mission to space. VPT is no stranger to out-of-this-world projects. They also supplied components for the 2020 Mars Rover Perseverance Mission.

“Psyche” is the name of the aircraft currently in development by NASA that could launch as early as 2023. According to the article, “If all goes well, Psyche will rendezvous with an asteroid also called Psyche.”

Psyche (the asteroid) is comprised mainly of metal. The mission is estimated to take 3.5 years and will include a sling-shot type of gravity assist from Mars. Upon reaching the asteroid, the spacecraft will remain in orbit for approximately 21 months.

Dan Sable is the president of Blacksburg’s VPT, Inc. The article states that Sable, 64, “has been involved in the space industry since 1978 when he was a co-op student at RCA Astro-Electronics”. Sable then earned his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Virginia Tech.

“To succeed, like Sable has, as an engineer/entrepreneur, it takes a visionary who is not afraid to put in the long hours to realize a dream”.

– Brett Malone, president and CEO of the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center.

Learn more about the Psyche mission here.

Learn more about advanced manufacturing 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.

 

Financial Agreement Reached in NRV Passenger Rail Expansion

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Montgomery County, VA – A press release by the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) and Norfolk Southern Corporation recently announced the financial closing of the agreement which will expand passenger rail service from Washington, DC to the New River Valley.

“The closing of the Western Rail Agreement is great news for Virginians as this is a big step forward in our mission to expand passenger rail to the New River Valley,” said DJ Stadtler, executive director of VPRA.

The agreement brings the Commonwealth one step closer to realizing its plans for expansion into the New River Valley. The new service is expected to add approximately 80,000 passengers in the first year once it is extended into the New River Valley.

Read the full press release 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.

 

Wing Featured in Bloomberg as Key Player in Emerging Industry

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Montgomery County, VA – Wing, the NRV’s local cutting-edge drone delivery system, has landed a feature in Bloomberg. Wing’s drones travel the skies over Christiansburg, VA to deliver packages. The company’s drone aircraft prefer clear, windless weather and are surprisingly light (~10lbs) even loaded with controllers, lasers, cameras, and battery packs required to achieve their maximum 12-mile round-trip range.

Wing is regularly recognized as “the first drone delivery service in the country“. While this is factual, the folks over at Wing can also lay claim to utilizing their own technology to pioneer a completely untapped service industry poised to change the landscape of global markets. Wing is on the ground floor of what experts are saying could be one of the most integrated, fastest-growing, emerging industries in the world.

Per the article, “When key regulatory approvals click into place, the global market for commercial drone services could increase from nearly $20.8 billion in 2021 to about $500 billion by 2028, according to an analysis by Grand View Research Inc. Designers are preparing unmanned aircraft to assist with long- and short-range package delivery, agriculture, infrastructure inspection, fire and police services, and more. Passenger flights might not be far behind.”

Takeoff: The carefully choregraphed aerial ballet shown in the video above is a precisely controlled process that is one of many crucial steps toward building one of the trickiest elements of a successful drone delivery enterprise: consumer confidence.

The Bloomberg feature goes on to state, “crashes must become a statistical near-impossibility before the FAA will certify drones such as these to operate widely and before people will tolerate the increase in air traffic. Even the most zealous drone advocates admit that an ill-timed crash could set the industry back years.”

Uncle Sam has been keeping a watchful eye on the public facing drone business as well. Since 2017, NASA and the FAA have been collaborating to research and write new rules for US airspace. The overarching goal is to accommodate millions of unmanned drone operations below 400 feet, as well as govern next-generation light passenger aircraft blending human and AI piloting at altitudes as high as 5,000 feet. The project includes copious and detailed specifications that cover airframes, sensors, communications hardware, and, most importantly, traffic. The author of the article leaves us with a final thought to reflect upon saying:

“The aircraft will need rules that humans and computers alike can follow intuitively and that help determine who’s accountable for accidents. Done wrong, lives could be lost. Done right, the system will win the public’s trust, create massive new industries, and mark the biggest evolution in U.S. transportation since the interstate highway system.”

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

Get to know 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.

Two NRV Companies Graduate from VEDP's VALET Program

Two NRV Companies Graduate from VEDP’s VALET Program

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Montgomery County, VA – Two companies from Virginia’s New River Valley recently graduated from the Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program. The VALET program, which is run by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), “assists Virginia exporters that have firmly established domestic operations and are committed to international exporting as a growth strategy.”

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced this year’s VALET graduates in a press release earlier this month. The two NRV graduates, Aeroprobe Corporation and Phoenix Integration, were among 11 Virginia companies that completed the VALET program in 2022. Both companies are located in Montgomery County.

Here is what Governor Youngkin had to say about the VALET program:

“The VALET program equips companies in Virginia with the resources they need to enter today’s global marketplace and increase trade opportunities for Virginia products. I congratulate these 11 graduating Virginia companies on their impressive export sales and am confident that their international success will contribute to the economic vitality of our Commonwealth in the years to come.”

Read the full press release about this year’s VALET graduates here.

Learn more about VEDP’s VALET program here.

Learn more about other NRV companies that have participated in the VALET program 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 Explores the Relationship Between Quantum Networks & Cybersecurity

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New River Valley, VA – An article published by Virginia Tech explains how researchers at the university, in tandem with the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI), are exploring quantum computing and its potential to revolutionize the cybersecurity landscape. Per the article, “Quantum systems have properties that provide inherent security in communications. Unlike “classical” networks, which comprise the existing internet, quantum networks will enhance cybersecurity and allow a host of cryptographic and networking tasks.”

There is no doubt that quantum networks are the next frontier in the age of the internet, and experts expect that it will profoundly impact the world we live in. But what exactly is it? To the layperson, quantum computing can be challenging to comprehend, much less its effect on everyday systems that affect our daily lives. Let’s examine a bit.

“A bit is the smallest unit of digital information, and it exists in one of two states: 0 or 1. In a quantum information processor, information is packaged in quantum bits (qubits) that simultaneously occupy multiple states between 0 and 1 that a regular information processor can’t access. This superposition quality unlocks unprecedented computational power and processing speed”.

Looking ahead, Sophia Economou, Virginia Tech professor of physics in the College of Science says,

“In the future, a user will be able to securely access a quantum computer via a quantum network. This is analogous to running a program on the cloud. Even an old laptop can connect to Amazon’s servers, for example, and tap into a huge reservoir of computing power. The key difference for quantum networks is security: a user may want to run a program that needs to be kept secret, maybe for intellectual property or national security reasons”.

The CCI network extends across the Commonwealth but is anchored by “nodes.” VT is at the helm of the southwest node and is joined by Radford University and New River Community College. Both schools have robust cybersecurity programs, the latter of which has just received a prestigious cybersecurity designation.

Quantum networks aren’t here yet — but they’re getting closer. The research that our world-class universities are currently conducting can further position Virginia’s New River Valley as a leading hub of technology-based business and innovation.

Learn more about the exciting research and innovation projects in the NRV here.

Learn more about IT 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 Simulates 5G Smart Grid Technology

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Montgomery County, VA – The Augusta Free Press recently published an article detailing how researchers are simulating a 5G smart grid for Virginia Tech’s Blacksburg campus.

Here’s what the article had to say about Virginia Tech:

“We are modeling Virginia Tech Electric Service as a microgrid with the bandwidth, low latency, and computing power of 5G,” said Chen-Ching Liu, the American Electric Power Professor and director of the Power and Energy Center (PEC) at Virginia Tech’s Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “This is the right playground to develop advanced technology and solve more complex power grid problems.”

Per the article, “Virginia Tech’s future smart grid will integrate solar arrays, battery storage systems, and other distributed energy resources that require fast, reliable communication for security, monitoring, and remote-controlled capabilities. 5G and NextG wireless networks can meet these requirements by providing wider network coverage and faster data transmission”.

With support provided by the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative in Southwest Virginia, the 5G Power Grid (5GPG) project contributes directly to the Virginia Tech Climate Action Working Group’s effort to transition to 100 percent renewable energy by 2030.

Virginia Tech is one of the several colleges and universities that call Virginia’s New River Valley home.

Learn more about education in the region 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.

MELD Manufacturing Receives Award at 2022 AMUG Conference

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CHRISTIANSBURG, VA – MELD Manufacturing was presented with the Advanced Concepts Award at the 2022 Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) Conference. The annual conference, held in Chicago, “recognizes individuals and their companies for outstanding work in additive manufacturing technology”. The first-place award was a result of MELD’s involvement with the U.S. Army’s Jointless Hull Program.

In 2021 the U.S. Army announced that the MELD technology will be used in a new machine to print vehicle hulls. This solves a long-standing vulnerability in welded aluminum-hulled combat vehicles. It was found that the hulls consistently failed at the same point, which is the welds. The Army needed a way to build the hulls without the faulty welds. With the MELD technology, they can build the hull in one piece. The machine will be the world’s largest metal 3D printer, capable of printing parts as large as 20 feet x 30 feet x 12 feet tall.

For the First Place Advanced Concepts Award, the technology was selected due to its novel nature. MELD Manufacturing is the inventor of the patented, award-winning MELD® process. It is a solid-state process for 3D printing metal.

Read the full press release from MELD here.

Learn more about advanced manufacturing 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.

MELD Leads the Way in 3D Printing

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MONTGOMERY COUNTY, VA– Cardinal News recently published an article detailing how NRV-based company MELD Manufacturing Corporation is making 3D printing history.

MELD has created a breakthrough 3D printing process that gained the attention of the U.S. Army as it moves forward on the construction of the world’s largest 3D printer dubbed “The Jointless Hull” project. The project was unveiled on the official Army website, army.mil, on June 1, 2021.

The article states that the “42-foot-tall printer that can print a tank hull” is a joint project, listing a company called ASTRO America as the prime contractor. MELD will be a subcontractor on the contract.

MELD Manufacturing Corporation, which was launched in 2018 as a subsidiary of Aeroprobe Corporation, was selected for the contract for their patented MELD technology.

MELD is a unique process for additive manufacturing that avoids melting the metal, thereby eliminating the weaknesses and other issues associated with melt-based processes. In addition to additive manufacturing, MELD can repair, coat, and join a wide range of materials, including some metals that cannot be welded with traditional processes. MELD’s open-atmosphere operation and scalable equipment make it more efficient and capable of producing more significant parts than similar processes.

The article quotes MELD Manufacturing Corporation CEO Nanci Hardwick saying,

“With MELD, we’ve figured out how to put just enough energy into the metal to make it printable without melting. The MELD process can do metals and parts that other processes are not.”

MELD made headlines at the 2018 R&D 100 Awards, an an international competition that recognizes the 100 most exceptional innovations in science and technology from the past year. MELD™ was selected as the single most disruptive new technology and received a special Market Disruptor award.

Per the article “MELD makes parts to order and sells and leases machines to customers who want to make their parts. It has a contract to supply a machine to the Norfolk Naval Shipyard at the end of 2022”.

The article wraps up with a quote from MELD CEO Nancy Hardwick by asking what’s next for the metal magicians. Hardwick says, “We have a lot of opportunity in front of us, and we’re evaluating the best way to grow and serve the market.”

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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.

 

NRCC Awarded Top Cybersecurity Designation

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Pulaski County, VA- An article recently published by NRV News details that New River Community College (NRCC) has received a designation as a “National Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense” (CAE-CD) from the National Security Agency (NSA).

Per the article, NRCC earned the designation after a “multi-year, peer-reviewed process, in which NRCC showcased their robust and active cybersecurity program that includes a range of student activities.”

The appellation has tangible benefits for both the school and its students. With the CAE-CD, the university will have ample opportunities to participate in faculty professional development training and receive invitations to apply for earmarked federal grants. NRCC students who graduate with an associate degree in Information Technology – Cyber Security Specialization will also receive an official letter detailing the designation.

The article quotes Dr. Dave Filer, NRCC professor of information systems technology, saying,

“This recognition highlights the important work NRCC is doing in cyber security education and makes our graduates even more competitive as they enter the job market or continue learning at a four-year institution”.

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

Learn more about education 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.