Business Partners Newsletter
June 2017: Volume 17, No. 6
The E-newsletter of the Roanoke County Economic Development Department is designed to
showcase the investments and achievements of our existing business partners. For additional
information about doing business in Roanoke County, visit our website.
Roanoke County Launches New Look
In May, Roanoke County launched a new contemporary brand
identity to represent the services and amenities available to
its residents. The new mark features the silhouette of a hiker
on McAfee Knob, the most prominent landmark in Roanoke
County, a location that has been featured in thousands of
publications and even in feature films.
The new Brand Mark
reflects the vision statement developed by the Board of
Supervisors, that "Roanoke County is a vibrant,
innovative, and scenic community that values its
citizens, heritage, and quality of life,"
complements other regional marks that highlight our
region's mountains and outdoor venues, and
reinforces state tourism efforts to promote the Roanoke Valley as an outdoor
destination.
Going forward residents will see the new Brand Mark used in a variety of places, from
Roanoke County's website and social media channels, to facility signs, and used on the
County's vehicle fleet.
The Official Seal of Roanoke County, which references the Native American heritage of the
Roanoke Valley, will remain in prominent usage by the Roanoke County Board of
Supervisors, Constitutional Offices, and the County's Public Safety agencies.
About Us
General Inquires
P: 540-772-2069
F: 540-772-2030
Address
Economic Development
5204 Bernard Drive, SW
Room 421
PO Box 29800
Roanoke, VA 24018
Contacts
Jill Loope
Director
Jay Brenchick
Manager
Jessica Fintel
Specialist
Joe Zielinski
Specialist
Glenna Ratcliffe
Administrative Assistant
Mission
To design and implement
innovative economic
development programs and
services that leverage
community assets, create
wealth and prosperity, and
embrace the region's
future.
Business Assistance
Demographics
Major Employers
Visitors
Employment Resources
Site Selector Application
Business Appreciation Month 2017
Roanoke County celebrated Business Appreciation Month in May. It was
a time to thank our business community for their contributions to our
region's prosperity. The Roanoke Times created a special section,
Business Briefing, for Business Appreciation Month and Roanoke County
businesses were featured. Learn more about some of these great
businesses.
Plastics One grows right along with the health care industry
Innovative and intense, program offers hope, help to stutterers
Southern States has been a link in the food chain for almost a century
Double Envelope delivers through a century of transitions
Brian Sass, President & CEO of BSC Ventures, operating as Double Envelope,
accepted the Business Appreciation Month Proclamation from the Roanoke County
Board of Supervisors on behalf of the business community. Double Envelope is
celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and is just one of the businesses that
make Roanoke County a great place to live, work, and play.
The Gauntlet Award Ceremony Wrap-Up....
This year The Gauntlet attracted over 80 participants who attended business
workshops for 12 weeks in order to develop a business plan and business
pitch.
Over 30 of those participants entered the pitch competition,vying for upwards
of $200,000 in cash and in-kind prizes. Every contestant was a winner but, at
the awards ceremony on May 11th, five local entrepreneurial businesses took the top four spots.
From canoe outrigger systems, to tactical gloves, to a self-help system, to a winery and a high tech game tracking system for bow
hunters, these innovative and creative entrepreneurs showed what our local business community is able to accomplish.
Wingman Outfitters' cooler outrigger system for canoes claimed first place and won over $20,000 in prizes and services.
Frost Gear's tactical gloves and Corethentic's self help system tied for second place, with each company earning over
$16,000 in prizes.
Stoney Brook Vineyards, a family owned vineyard, won third place, with prize value over $12,000.
D.O.G. Ventures, founder of high tech game tracking system for bow hunters, received over $10,000 in prizes for their fourth
place finish.
This year the Gauntlet was such a success that we committed the entire June Roanoke County Business Partners TV show so we
could feature some of the top finishing entrepreneurs. Click on the link or image below to learn more.
Roanoke County Business Partners June Television Show Featuring The Gauntlet
Watch Video
And the top finishers were...
Business Name
Type of Business
Prize Value
(Cash and In-Kind)
Wingman Outfitter
Cooler riggers for canoes
$ 21,885
Frost Gear
Cold weather
Tactical gloves
$ 16,295
Corethentic
Enterprises
Self help product
$ 16,635
Stoney Book Vineyards
Winery
$ 12,635
D.O.G. Ventures
Archery tracking system
$ 10,600
See the full list of contestants and prizes here - there are over 30 winners and $200,000 worth of prizes!
Events: Business Tools for Success
Register Online
Facebook Basics
June 6
Roanoke Small Business
Development Center
Learn More
Hospitality Training Workshop
June 7 and June 22
Virginia Western
Community College
Business Basics
June 13
Roanoke Small Business
Development Center
Learn More
Learn More
Marketing and Social Media Basics
June 20
SEO and Google Analytics
June 27
Roanoke Small Business
Development Center
Roanoke Small Business
Development Center
Project Management Certification
Course
August 22 - November 7
Virginia Tech Roanoke Center
Learn More
Learn More
Learn More
Other Happenings
Vendors have beef & pork products, eggs, vegetables, jellies, granola, baked goods including breads, cookies, cakes, muffins
& scones. Fried pies are made on site. Many handmade arts & crafts, bath & beauty products, potted flowers, flower &
vegetable bedding plants & hanging baskets.
Market welcomes SNAP/EBT clients!
SNAP customers may purchase tokens to use for fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, poultry, breads, baked goods, dairy,
honey, processed foods such as jams and pickles, and plants to grow consumable foods.
Each dollar spent through the program, up to $30, is doubled for purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Stop by the Manager's table to purchase tokens and for more information on this great program.
June Entertainment and Features at the Farmers Market
June 1, 8, 15 & 22
Cooking demos by SNAP/Virginia Extension personnel, simple
inexpensive recipes using fresh foods from the Market
June 1
Jim Robinson of Salem - Dulcimer player
June 8
Bruce Ingram - author of "Living the Locavore Lifestyle" &
numerous outdoor books
June 15
Special activities to honor fathers
June 22
Marya Katz - Dulcimer player
Learn more
Heritage Winds, Air Force Woodwind Quintet Concert
June 13
7:30 - 9:00 PM
Brambleton Center
Kegs and Barrels
Wine & Craft Beer Festival
August 5
Green Hill Park
3738 Brambleton Avenue
2501 Parkside Drive
Roanoke, VA 24018
Salem, VA 24153
Learn More
Learn More
Celebrate: Anniversaries
Is your business celebrating a major anniversary (ending in a 5 or 0) this year?
We want to recognize you so please let us know!
Hollins Communications Research Institute - 45th Anniversary
Hollins Communications Research Institute celebrates its 45th anniversary.
Researchers at Virginia-based HCRI, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, invented the
concept of behavioral stuttering therapy. HCRI has become an international leader in
stuttering research and treatment innovation. HCRI clinicians have treated more than
6,500 individuals from across the U.S. and 50 countries.
HCRI's intensive stuttering therapy program lasts 12 days. Participants come from
around the world to work with specially trained clinicians and learn how to retrain
speech muscles to produce fluent speech. In addition, HCRI offers a comprehensive
package of post-therapy support to help individuals who stutter maintain fluency for the
long term.
Celebrate: Ribbon Cuttings and Grand Openings
American National Bank & Trust invests $3.5M
American National Bank & Trust Company celebrated the opening of its first Roanoke
location with a ribbon cutting and open house event on May 19, 2017. The project
represents a $3.5M capital investment for the company's first location in the Roanoke
region. Jason Peters, Roanoke County Board of Supervisors, presented Jeff Haley,
President & CEO, with a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of Roanoke County and
the Board of Supervisors.
American National Bank & Trust Company
3000 Ogden Road
Roanoke, VA 24018
www.amnb.com
Left to Right - Shannan Crosswhite, AMNB Roanoke Branch Manager; Jason Peters, Roanoke
County Board of Supervisors; Kevin Meade, American National Bank & Trust (AMNB); Mae
Moore; Jeff Haley, AMNB President & CEO; Jill Sluss, Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of
Commerce Executive Director; Joyce Waugh, Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce
President & CEO
Blue Ridge Autism and Achievement Center expands
capacity
Blue Ridge Autism and Achievement Center (BRAAC) held a ribbon cutting and
open house on May 23, 2017 to celebrate their expanded facility which allows
them to care for 58 additional children. Christina Giuliano, Executive Director,
was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of Roanoke County and
the Board of Supervisors. Students from Burton Center for Arts and Technology
created a sculpture for BRAAC featuring the Autism puzzle pieces (shown at
right).
Blue Ridge Autism and Achievement Center
312 Whitwell Drive
Roanoke, VA 24019
www.braacroanoke.org
Left to Right- Kim Turner, SVH Services' Board; Del. Sam Rasoul; Husain Alam, Alam Design
Group, LLC; Jessica Fintel, Roanoke County Economic Development; Lea Riddle, SVH
Services' Board Chair; Angie Leonard, SVH Services' CEO; Christina Giuliano, BRAAC
Executive Director; Nathan Hungate, SVH Services' Board Vice Chair; Jill Sluss, Salem-Roanoke
County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director; Troy Henderson, G&H Contracting
Noteworthy: Local News
Authority Holds Final Neighborhood Meeting
The Western Virginia Regional Industrial Facility Authority held its final neighborhood
workshop on the Wood Haven project on Thursday, May 25 at the Holiday Inn Roanoke
Airport. The event was another chance for neighbors to provide input on concepts for
the approximately 100 acres along Wood Haven Road near the intersection with I-581
which has been acquired by the WVRIFA. Approximately 50 people attended and
went through a series of stations that addressed proposals for current and future land
use, storm water, transportation, site development, and the planning and development
process. Each station allowed for dialog and questions with staff members from
Roanoke County, the City of Roanoke, and the WVRIFA as well as consultants on land
use, engineering, and transportation. The property is jointly owned by Roanoke,
Roanoke County, and Salem. The information presented at each station is posted
on www.wvrifa.org
Roanoke County recognizes President Nancy Oliver Gray
The Board of Supervisors recognized Hollins University President Nancy Oliver Gray
for her 12 years of service with a Resolution of Appreciation; President Gray retires
in July. President Gray has been a true partner to Roanoke County and the region.
We wish her success in her future endeavors.
Pictured (left to right): Chairman Joe McNamara, President Nancy Oliver Gray, County
Administrator Thomas Gates
Read more
Virginia Tech Catawba Sustainability Center Funds Cooperative
Research Grants
The Virginia Tech Catawba Sustainability Center (CSC) recently provided funding to
University faculty to implement new projects on the Center's 378 acre farm located in
the Catawba Valley. These $5,000 grants were offered to strengthen cooperative
research between Virginia Tech faculty and the CSC. From the proposals received,
the CSC selected to fund five new projects.
Read More
The Virginia Tech Catawba Sustainability Center to be featured at
the North American Agroforestry Conference
The North American Agroforestry Conference will be held at the Squires Student
Center at Virginia Tech June 27 - June 29, 2017. Participants will learn about the
latest advances in agroforestry research, practice, outreach, and policy, as well as
have a chance see innovative on-the-ground agroforestry systems.There will be a
field tour on June 28 with a stop at the Virginia Tech CSC.
Learn More
Virginia Trade Missions
Be part of one of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership's Trade Missions and enjoy private, one-on-one meetings
with prospective customers and partners. These well-planned visits are business meetings set up on your behalf, with your
input, to save you time and maximize your results.
Australia
South Korea
October 2-6 2017
October 16-20, 2017
Registration Deadline: August 4, 2017
Registration Deadline: August 18, 2017
Top Opportunities: Defense & Security, Major Infrastructure &
Top Opportunities: Defense Equipment, Medical Devices,
Construction, Transportation, Healthcare & Medical Technology,
Processed Food, Education, ICT, Display, Mobile Handset, Electrics
Biotechnology, Mining & Minerals, Energy & Environmental
& Electronics, Automotive, Semiconductor, Health Care, BioTechnologies, Professional Services, Agribusiness, Food & Beverage
Pharma, Petrochemicals, General Machinery, Construction,
Manufacturing
Shipbuilding
Learn More
Learn More
Southern Africa
Southeast Asia
October 23-27, 2017
November 6-10, 2017
Registration Deadline: August 25, 2017
Registration Deadline: September 8, 2017
Top Opportunities: Aviation, Automotive Components, Electricity
Power Generation Systems, Franchising, Information Technology,
Mining Equipment, Medical Equipment and Healthcare Services,
Renewable Energy, Pollution Control Equipment,
Telecommunications, Transportation, Infrastructure and Civil
Construction
Top Opportunities: Medical Products & Services, Defense
Equipment, Advanced Manufacturing, ICT, Hardwoods,
Environmental Products & Services
Learn More
Learn More
Roanoke County Business on RVTV
Watch Video
On this month's show, we focus on The Gauntlet business plan competition. We talk with Annette Patterson, President of The
Advancement Foundation which hosts The Gauntlet to learn more about their 3rd annual compeition. The Gauntlet boasted its
biggest year yet with over $200,000 in prizes and 30 competitors. We talk to a few of the top finishers, Wingman Outfitters,
Corethentic Enterprises, and Stoney Brook Vineyards as well as some of the youngest competitors from Eagle Ridge Canned
Salmon and Frost Gear.
Consult the RVTV website for the viewing schedule or click the link above to watch the show on Youtube!
www.rvtv.org
Questions? Please visit http://www.yesroanoke.org/ or e-mail [email protected].
P.O. Box 29800, Roanoke, VA 24018-0798
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