NRV Manufacturer Earns Coveted Spot on the Inc. 5000 List for 2022

Radford, VA – Oransi Inc., an NRV manufacturing company, made the Inc. 5000 list for 2022. The annual rankings by Inc. magazine list the “fastest-growing private companies in the United States” and are a “hallmark of entrepreneurial success”.

Oransi is a veteran-owned air purification company, that opened shop in the City of Radford in 2021. The project brought significant investment and over 100 new jobs to the region.

Only 258 companies across the state of Virginia were included on this prestigious list for 2022. Oransi’s ranking is below.

#3,797 Oransi: 132% 3-Year Growth

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

See the full Inc. 5000 list for 2022 here.

Learn more about the advanced manufacturing 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.

Radford University Earns 2022-2023 College of Distinction Designation

Radford University Earns 2022-2023 College of Distinction Designation

Radford, VA – Radford University has earned a 2022-2023 College of Distinction designation. This designation from Colleges of Distinction shows that Radford is one of the best colleges across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

According to their website, “Colleges of Distinction was created in 2000 to help students and their parents navigate the overwhelming process of selecting the right school. We aim to help parents and students find not just the ‘best’ college, but the right one.”

Here is what Colleges of Distinction had to say about Radford University:

Founded in 1910, Radford University is a comprehensive, mid-sized university located in the heart of Virginia’s New River Valley. With small class sizes, rigorous academics, a strong emphasis on service to others, and a beautiful, 204-acre campus, Radford University provides an education that is focused on developing the student both inside and outside of the classroom.

Radford University also earned distinctions for their career development and military support services as well as their undergraduate programs in business, education, and nursing.

Read the full press release from Radford University about the distinctions here.

Learn more about higher 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.

VT Explores the Relationship Between Quantum Networks & Cybersecurity

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.

RU Ranked #33 Southern Regional University by U.S. News & World Report

Radford University Graduate Programs Recognized in U.S. News & World Report Rankings

Radford, VA – Radford University recently issued a press release highlighting recognition by U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 Best Graduate Schools rankings. This year’s ranked graduate programs include nursing, psychology, social work, and business administration.

The press release details the depth of the school’s graduate offerings saying, “Radford University serves approximately 10,000 students with diverse academic offerings on the graduate level, including 28 master’s programs in 23 disciplines and six doctoral programs at the graduate level, as well as 14 post-baccalaureate certificates and one post-master’s certificate.”

“We are incredibly proud that Radford University continues to be recognized nationally as one of the leading destinations for students seeking to build upon their knowledge and expand the possibilities in their careers.”
Radford University Interim President, Dr. Carolyn R. Lepre

This year’s ranking can be added to the list of academic wins for the university. In 2021, U.S. News & World Report recognized RU as a top Southern Regional University.

Read the official press release from Radford University about the rankings here.

Learn more about Virginia’s New River Valley, the region that Radford University calls home, 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.

New River Valley Ranks #3 for Tech Jobs Growth in the U.S.

New River Valley, VAAxios recently published an article titled “The New Tech Hubs”. The article features data from The Brookings Institute and details that tech jobs in the New River Valley grew by more than 12% from 2019 to 2020 making the region the 3rd highest for rate of growth in the entire U.S.

The Axios piece quotes Brookings’ Mark Muro, a co-author of the report saying;

“Tech jobs drive innovation, pay well, and have substantial multipliers, for local economies and the national one.”

Source: Brookings Institute analysis of Emsi Burning Glass Data

The Brookings report went on to outline the necessity of state funding as it relates to continued growth within the sector. “Renewed state investments in public higher education will be necessary in building up new tech hubs”. The writers go on to recommend four things to ensure strong growth within the tech sector:

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.

Oransi LLC

Industry and Jobs Flowing into the New River Valley

New River Valley, VA – Four NRV business announcements were recently highlighted in Virginia Business magazine. The New River Valley landed several headline-generating deals in 2021. The article, titled “Compounding Interest”, describes the announcements and their substantial impact on the region. In the article, Onward NRV Executive Director Katie Boswell speaks to the industry appeal of relocating or expanding operations in a region rich with workforce potential.
“The theme that runs through all of our announcements this year is how highly skilled and educated the workforce is and what an important thing that is to the companies who expand or locate here”.
Learn more about the four NRV business announcements included in the 2021 article from below: Read the full article from Virginia Business here. See more business announcements from 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.”
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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.
2021 Accolades and Awards for the NRV

2021 Accolades and Awards for the NRV

New River Valley, VA – Virginia’s New River Valley was frequently recognized during 2021 as a premier place to live, work, and do business. Below is a list of just a few of the accolades won this year by the NRV’s counties, city, towns, schools, and universities.

Radford #9 Best Place to Raise a Family in VALife is Wonderful in Virginia’s New River Valley

FloydFest Wins Four Best of the Blue Ridge 2021 AwardsThe NRV is Known for Its Unique Festivals, Destinations, and Businesses

Lane Stadium Voted Best Football Stadium in ACCEnjoy Sports and Recreation Across the NRV

NRV Tech Companies Make Inc. 5000 List of America’s Fastest-Growing CompaniesCompanies in the Virginia’s New River Valley are Thriving and Growing

VT and Radford Among Best Value Colleges in VirginiaThe NRV Offers High Quality Educational Opportunities

Explore more NRV accolades and awards 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 NRV Posts of 2021

10 Most Popular NRV Posts of 2021

New River Valley, VA – 2021 has been a busy year for Virginia’s New River Valley. The region had important project announcements that brought new investment and jobs. Businesses, universities, schools, and communities won accolades and awards. Recap this eventful year with a list of the ten most popular posts published in 2021 on TheNRV.org. The following posts had the most pageviews online.

43 NRV Destinations and Businesses Win Best of Virginia 2021 Awards

10. 43 NRV Destinations and Businesses Win Best of Virginia 2021 Awards

Businesses and destinations from across the New River Valley were honored in the Best of Virginia 2021 awards from Virginia Living magazine. Click here to see the winners.

9. Radford #9 Best Place to Raise a Family in VA

Radford was ranked the ninth best place to raise a family in Virginia for 2021 by HomeSnacks.com. The city has a lower cost of living and lower crime rates than the national average, which makes it one of Virginia’s most family-friendly places to live!

8. Blacksburg Featured on ESPN’s Ultimate College Road Trip

Virginia Tech’s 2021 football season opener against UNC in Lane Stadium was the first stop on ESPN.com’s nationwide college football extravaganza.

NRV Communities Among Top 20 Safest Cities in VA

7. NRV Communities Among Top 20 Safest Cities in VA

The National Council for Home Safety and Security found that Blacksburg, Radford, and Christiansburg are all among the top 20 safest cities in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

6. Oransi to Establish First Manufacturing Facility and Create 101 New Jobs in Radford

In April 2021, it was announced that Oransi would establish the company’s first manufacturing facility in the City of Radford. The company will invest $5.6 million in the project and create 101 new jobs.

Enjoy Craft Beer at These NRV Breweries

5. Enjoy Craft Beer at These NRV Breweries

This blog post lists the eleven craft breweries located throughout Virginia’s New River Valley. Visit one or more and explore the ever-expanding assortment of breweries in the region!

4. Riner is Virginia’s Best Small Town to Live In for 2021

HomeSnacks.com listed Riner as Virginia’s best small town to live in for 2021. When calculating the ratings, the folks at HomeSnacks evaluated small towns across the Commonwealth with populations under 1,000.

Moog Inc. to Expand and Create 75 New Jobs in Christiansburg

3. Moog Inc. to Expand and Create 75 New Jobs in Christiansburg

It was announced in February 2021 that Moog Inc. would invest $10.7 million to relocate from one of its Blacksburg facilities to the former Dish Network building in Falling Branch Corporate Park in Christiansburg. The company will transfer existing jobs to the new facility and create 75 new jobs.

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

U.S. News & World Report ranked Blacksburg High School among the top 100 STEM high schools across the nation. BHS also ranked #21 among all public high schools in Virginia, which was nine spots higher than 2020.

10 Things to Do in the NRV This Summer

1. 10 Things to Do in the NRV This Summer

Originally published in 2018, this blog post was updated in Summer 2021 to reflect the most current information about fun summer activities 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.

Virginia Tech Project Named Finalist for BBB Regional Challenge

Virginia Tech Project Named Finalist for BBB Regional Challenge

New River Valley, VA – The U.S. Economic Development Administration has named a Virginia Tech proposal, titled “The Future of Transportation and Logistics”, as a finalist for the Build Back Better Regional Challenge. According to the U.S. EDA, “[t]he Challenge provides transformational investments to develop and strengthen regional industry clusters across the country, all while embracing equitable economic growth, creating good-paying jobs, and enhancing U.S. global competitiveness.”

Virginia Tech was chosen as one of sixty finalists out of 529 applications from across the country. Each finalist was awarded a $500,000 grant to help develop their final proposal. From the finalists, the U.S. EDA “will ultimately award 20-30 regional coalitions between $25 and $100 million to implement 3-8 projects that support an industry sector.”

The proposed project from Virginia Tech will bring together partners across Virginia’s New River Valley and the adjacent regions to develop three transformational projects that will grow the region’s economy. The projects are:

  1. I-81 Autonomous-Electric Testbed
  2. Advanced Air Mobility Testbed
  3. Industry network for training, talent, technology, and entrepreneurial development

Finalist proposals are due to the U.S. EDA by March 15, 2022 and winners are expected to be announced no later than September 2022. Learn more about the Build Back Better Regional Challenge here.

Read Virginia Tech’s project proposal summary for “The Future of Transporation and Logistics” here.

Learn more about advanced manufacturing, unmanned systems, and other industries 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.

Radford Wins Grant for High School Students to Earn IT Degrees

Radford Wins Grant for High School Students to Earn IT Degrees

Radford, VA – Radford City Schools recently was awarded a Career and Technical Education High School Innovation Grant for students to earn associate’s degrees in information technology. The grant was one of seven programs funded around the Commonwealth of Virginia with the purpose of “prepar[ing] students for high-wage, in-demand careers.”

Radford City Schools partnered with New River Community College and 1901 Group to create this program for students.

Here is what the governor’s press release has to say about the grant:

Radford Public Schools — $90,000 to create – in collaboration with New River Community College and the 1901 Group – a pathway for students to earn an associate degree in information technology.

Read the full press release to learn more about the Career and Technical Education High School Innovation Grant program and see the other grant winners here.

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

Learn more about Radford, 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.