City of Roanoke Department of Economic Development

Congratulations to Brian Wells on this incredible recognition! We are so grateful for your leadership 👏

Congratulations to CBIZ on their expansion and relocation to Downtown Roanoke! 👏🎉

Roanoke businesses! 📣 See below for details on the Greater Roanoke Workforce Development Board's Career Expo!

🌟 Attention Roanoke Business Owners! 🌟 Join us on October 16, 6-7:30 PM at the Berglund Center for the Envision Williamson Road Business Focus Group Meeting held by City of Roanoke Transportation. Help us reimagine the future of this vital corridor! Your insights matter. Food provided—please RSVP via the link/QR code! Let’s shape a brighter future together!

Incident Alert! ⚠️🚒 Roanoke Fire-EMS Department crews are currently on scene in the 200 block of Jefferson Street SW. Roads in the area are blocked, so please find an alternate route if traveling through the area. Electricity will be turned off for part of the downtown area while crews continue working. Updates will be posted as they become available. Thank you for your cooperation!

❗ Exciting News for City of Roanoke Businesses ❗ We're thrilled to announce the launch of the Business Equipment Incentive Program! 🎉 Thanks to the Economic Development Authority (EDA) of the City of Roanoke, local businesses looking to expand their operations can now access a new resource aimed at easing the cost of acquiring essential equipment. Over the next two years, $400,000 will be available to support this initiative! Program Highlights: 💰 Matching Funds: Grants available up to $20,000 for equipment purchases with a 50/50 match required. 💼 Eligibility: Businesses must have been operating in Roanoke for at least a year, employ at least two full-time, W-2 employees, and be in good standing with the City. 📅 Application Dates: Applications open on November 1, 2024, for equipment purchased on or after that date. For more information on eligibility and to stay updated on the application process, please visit our website: https://lnkd.in/eNXKKw7E #IncentiveProgram #EconomicDevelopment #BusinessEquipment

It’s been an interesting and challenging week for the City of Roanoke’s Department of Economic Development. Like many of our colleagues in the region, we spent the week balancing service to our citizens and businesses in the wake of Hurricane Helene alongside attendance at our profession’s premier statewide event - the Virginia Economic Developers Association’s fall conference. That variety and complexity is one of the things I love most about our profession, and it’s why I am using this space to highlight just some of that work from this past week. GluTox Health Visit - We started off the week with a tour of GluTox Health with owners Nicholas Kaknes, MD and Derek Kaknes. Located in the Historic Riverdale Southeast development, GluTox provides a metabolic reset program focused on medical weight-loss, group fitness and nutrition. Learn more about GluTox here: glutoxhealth.com City Council Office Tours - On Tuesday, our department welcomed Mayor Sherman Lea Jr. and Councilman Bev Fitzpatrick on a tour our offices. Visits like this one help staff better connect with our elected officials beyond the Council chambers and at public events. I particularly enjoy the opportunity to highlight the great work our team is doing for the City of Roanoke. VEDA in Roanoke! - Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA) held its fall conference at Hotel Roanoke this past week. I had the honor of introducing Mayor Lea prior to his opening remarks to attendees. Even with the inclement weather, VEDA reported a record number of attendees, a huge testament to the draw of our region and to the interest our colleagues have in convening to discuss trends and changes in our profession. Thanks to Brady Lawrence, Alicia Cundiff, Brandon Meginley, Mandy Cribb, MPA, and Bradley Boettcher for managing work in a busy office alongside repping us at the conference. ED’s new digital home - Lastly, the Department of Economic Development launched our new website this past week. We’re quite pleased with both how it functions and the feedback we’ve received. Please check it out and let me know your thoughts – bizroanoke.com. The impacts of Hurricane Helene are still being accounted for across the South. If you're a City of Roanoke business in need of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at 540.853.2715 or econdevl@roanokeva.gov.

⛈️ A little rain didn't dampen our Friday fiesta! 🎉 Today we celebrated the proclamation ceremony for Freedom First Credit Union's Juntos Avanzamos (Together We Advance) designation! We’re thrilled to recognize Freedom First as Southwest Virginia's first credit union to receive this designation. 👏 From Spanish-speaking staff and translation services to free financial wellness counseling and targeted outreach efforts, Freedom First is dedicated to empowering our Hispanic community.

Rounding out another day at the 2024 Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA) Fall Conference! Thank you to Mark C. Perna for a fantastic presentation on engaging the next generation in our workforce. His ideas on bridging the skills gap and empowering the younger generations are a game changer! We also enjoyed the keynote address from Stephen Moret, the former President and CEO of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and now head of the Strada Education Foundation. It was a privilege to hear his thoughts on how we can all contribute to a thriving economy, particularly as it relates to workforce development. #VEDA2024 #EconomicDevelopment

My line of work permits me the opportunity to attend a lot of ribbon cuttings. While I enjoy them all, this one is truly special. Thank you VIA Centers for Neurodevelopment for providing me the opportunity to serve on your board. Thanks also to Eric Sichau, Erin Burcham, Randy Pearson and all the wonderful folks who came out for the event. Lastly, a very special thank you to the Roanoke Region for embracing all members of our community. We're lucky to have each other.