March 2015 Edition - Roanoke Economic Development

march 2015
Roanoke awarded $600,000 Industrial Revitalization Fund Grant
Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe (left) and Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones (right) present Roanoke Mayor David Bowers (center) a check for $600,000
representing the Industrial Revitalization Fund Grant to be used to further economic development in the City of Roanoke.
At a press conference held Monday morning, March 9, 2015 in the lobby of the Patrick Henry Hotel, Governor Terry McAuliffe
announced the award of a $600,000 Industrial Revitalization Fund Grant to the City of Roanoke. The grant money will be used to create
a regional business accelerator in the former Gill Memorial Hospital Building at 711 South Jefferson Street in downtown Roanoke. The
city will acquire the building in a creative property exchange with Carilion Services, Inc.
The accelerator, to be operated by the Roanoke-Blacksburg Innovation Network (RBIN), will be a major milestone in the public-private
partnership between the city and RBIN, and will serve as a single focal point that connects early-stage companies to peers, mentors,
and investors in an environment that offers a host of services and programs.
Such a facility was first recommended in the 2012 “Innovation Blueprint,” a collaboration between the public and private sectors
that provides a plan for turning our community’s innovation assets into new high-impact companies and jobs. The center will initially
focus on accelerating three to five companies each year. It’s anticipated that the center will have an economic impact of approximately
$3.4 million per year and create 18 initial jobs. As these companies accelerate and expand,
many more jobs can be anticipated in the future. There has not yet been a date set for
renovation work on the facility to begin.
IN THIS ISSUE
Mayor David Bowers stated, “The City of Roanoke appreciates the confidence expressed
by Governor McAuliffe and Secretary Jones in providing these essential funds to preserve,
renovate, and return to productive use the Gill Memorial Building, which is located in a highly
visible downtown corridor. This major investment will complement the ongoing revitalization
efforts in this area, such as the upgrading of the Elm Avenue/581 interchange, the Downtown
Library renovation, revitalization of the former Patrick Henry Hotel, and the improvements to
Elmwood Park.”
City Manager Chris Morrill commented, “The regional business accelerator is another
important step in our strategy to build a more diverse and resilient economy. The accelerator
will complement other efforts supported by the city such as the Grandin CoLab and ScaleUp
Roanoke Valley.”
2/RESEARCH IN ROANOKE-BRAIN SCHOOL
3/TRANSPORATION SCHEDULE CHANGES
4/CAREER, LIFESTYLE & FINANCIAL
FITNESS FAIR
5/FEATURED BIZLINK
6/DRIVING BUSINESS
7/SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS
8/NEW DIRECTOR HIRED AT SBDC
9/VWCC LAUNCHES NEW PROGRAM
10/TRAINING & EVENTS
11/RECENT RETAIL OPENINGS
12-14/DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNTIES & PROPERTIES FOR SALE
march 2015 / 2
Research in Roanoke: Brain School 2015 focuses on beginnings
Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute to host third annual Brain School
o
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t
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i
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?
attend brain school!
March 16, 18, 23, and 25, 2015 — 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute • 2 Riverside Circle, Roanoke
Free registration at tinyurl.com/brainschool2015 • Free parking
March 16
Father of Neuroscience, Son of Roanoke:
The Legacy of Vernon Mountcastle, MD
Michael Friedlander, PhD
Executive Director
Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute
March 18
Development of the Social Brain
Pearl Chiu, PhD
Assistant Professor
Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute
research.vtc.vt.edu/brain
March 23
The Developing Brain: Conception to Birth
Michael Fox, PhD
Associate Professor
Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute
March 25
How the Earliest Experiences in Life
Affect a Baby’s Brain and Behavior
Craig Ramey, PhD
Distinguished Research Scholar
Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute
march 2015 / 3
Valley Metro and Smart Way Service Changes Make Riding Even Easier
The Greater Roanoke Transit Company has implemented two new service changes to its Valley Metro and Smart Way
bus services, bringing new destinations and simplified fare payments to all of their buses.
Starting last month, the Smart Way Bus has been providing service directly from Virginia Tech to the Virginia Tech
Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute in downtown Roanoke. The route extension means buses coming
into Roanoke from Blacksburg will bypass the Campbell Court Transportation Center and head straight to the new
stop at VTC’s Riverside campus before doubling back to downtown. The route extension offers convenient service for
students, faculty, and employees of Virginia Tech and Carilion, all while adding only five minutes to the total trip time.
In addition, all Smart Way and Valley Metro buses have been outfitted with new, state of the art fareboxes. The
fareboxes make it easier to purchase fares by offering “transit change,”
meaning you no longer have to pay for your trip with exact change,
but instead can apply the balance to future Valley Metro or Smart Way
trips. The installation of the fareboxes and transit change system is
just the beginning. The new technology allows the Greater Roanoke
Transit Company to streamline fare rates and implement new payment
mediums, including Smart Cards. They hope to launch these new
services later in the year.
To see if a Valley Metro or Smart Way bus is right for your commute needs, visit ridesolutions.org/googletransit and use
the Google Maps trip planner to find your stop, bus number, transfers, and rates. If you’re interested in expanding the
transportation options available to your employees, including transit, carpooling, bike commuting, and more - all for free
- contact RIDE Solutions Program Director Jeremy Holmes at [email protected] or (540) 342-9393.
This article was submitted by RIDE Solutions.
The Local Palate falls in love with Virginia’s Blue Ridge
A single visit to Virginia’s Blue Ridge (VBR) by Stephanie Burt, Editor and Director of Digital Content for The Local Palate
magazine, has yielded five articles to date highlighting the vibrant culinary scene in the region. The Roanoke Valley Convention
& Visitors Bureau in collaboration with Geiger & Associates Public Relations Firm, had the pleasure of hosting Stephanie for a
media tour last August, when she discovered VBR’s metro-mountain food culture. During
her visit, Stephanie connected with the Roanoke Times food writer, Christina Nifong, and
Lucky Restaurant owner/bartender, Hunter Johnson, to discover
several story ideas resulting in articles both in print and online for the magazine.
The Local Palate is the South’s premier food culture publication; a unique blend of culinary
history and Southern hospitality, indigenous ingredients, and world class chefs with a total
circulation of 121,000.
The combined advertising equivalency for these five articles is $15,525.
March 2015 Issue - Creme de Menthe: Make your own. Then make a drink. by Hunter
Johnson
February 2015 Issue - Where to shop: Ladles and Linens by Stephanie Burt
Online article - 9/18/14: Trucking Fish to the Mountains by Christina Nifong
Online article - 9/11/14: Three Places to Explore Craft Breweries This Season
by Stephanie Burt
Online article - 9/2/14: Off the Sprinkle Trail by Stephanie Burt
This article was submitted by the Roanoke CVB.
march 2015 / 4
Spring
Career, Lifestyle
Financial
Fitness Fair
&
in conjunction with the
Offices of Congressman Bob Goodlatte
& Congressman Morgan Griffith
Monday, April 27, 2015
8:30 am to 1:00 pm
Berglund Center Special Events Center | Admission: Free
Who should attend: recent college graduates, job seekers, those interested in
local recreational opportunities and individuals seeking financial guidance.
Why you should attend: Over 50 organizations will be represented offering
opportunities for individuals who live, work and play in the Roanoke region.
Admission: Free for attendees and exhibitors. For more information on being an
exhibitor, visit www.roanokeva.gov/fairs or contact Lisa Soltis at 540-853-1694 or
by email at [email protected].
Sponsored by: Economic Development Offices of the City of Roanoke, County of
Roanoke and these sponsors:
march 2015 / 5
Featured BizLink ~ Shop Class As Soulcraft
Matthew Crawford spoke in Roanoke last year at the Roanoke Regional Chamber of
Commerce Economic Summit. Below is a segment from NPR capturing his story.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.
php?storyId=106513632
Matthew Crawford was on what most people would think
was the "right track." Then he left his job as executive
director at a think tank in Washington to open a motorcycle repair shop. In his book, Shop Class as Soulcraft,
he makes the case that our society has placed too great
a value on white-collar work and not enough value on
the trades.
Wish
to be a BizNews
subscriber?
Please email
[email protected]
with your contact information including name and
email address.
Also, check us out on
Facebook! Visit City of
Roanoke Department of
Economic Development.
Check Out
Biz Roanoke on
RVTV Channel 3!
BizRoanoke is a monthly
program highlighting economic
activity and programs within
the
City of Roanoke.
Tune into RVTV Channel 3 to
learn more or follow this link
to our most recent show:
http://youtu.be/
QN23PQ1zVk0
What do you love about Roanoke?
As a brand new small business owner, I love the outpouring of support of
friends, colleagues and business partners around the Roanoke Valley who
have been so willing and eager to help get the word out about my new
business, and how Roanokers are showing a true interest in helping me
succeed!
Shelly Whitaker
Co-Owner, Bricks 4 Kidz
Shelly Whitaker
march 2015 / 6
DRIVING BUSINESS
~
Emerging Trends in the Parking Industry
As with most industry segments, parking professionals are surveyed annually
to determine emerging trends in parking. Recent surveys have shown that the
industry is advancing with many impressive breakthroughs in new technology,
sustainability, and improved customer service in what is now a growing $30
billion industry.
Technology
Advances in technology are revolutionizing the
parking industry. Innovations include electronic
payment options, real time data regarding parking
rates and open spaces, wireless sensing devices
for measuring traffic flow, and for locating a parking
space. There has been an explosion of new apps for
smart phones and mobile devices which allow you
to perform a variety of tasks from reserving parking,
paying an expiring meter, and paying for parking on
the go. Demand continues to grow for even more
smart tools in this expanding field of technology.
Parking Access Control
Topping the list of trends is the move to use
technology to improve parking access and
control. License plate recognition (LPR) uses
specialized cameras and software to recognize
and allow authorized vehicle access to parking
facilities. Daily parking is increasingly being
enhanced by Pay in Lane and Pay by Foot
stations that are creating self-service garages
and lots that require no on-site attendants.
We Appreciate
Your Patience !
With the recession behind
us and increased activity
in City of Roanoke permitting, the Department
of Planning, Building and
Development is working to
respond to increased levels
of development with new
personnel, reassignment of
existing personnel, and
process
improvements.
Customer Service
Ease of payment and a wide array of payment options are very
important to parkers as well as parking system owners. The
industry is rapidly moving away from cash payment towards
e-payment. Whether for payment at a meter, payment for a citation
or an off-street garage or lot, the demand is growing for credit cards,
smart phones, apps, smart cards, and Subscriber Identify Module
(SIM) card payments.
Sustainability
The demand for green or sustainable solutions is another top trend
influencing the parking industry. It is estimated that 30 percent of
circling vehicles in downtowns are doing so as the drivers search for
parking. This creates traffic congestion as well as increased carbon emissions and waste of fuel
resources. New technologies are being designed to direct drivers to off-street parking which helps
decrease driver frustration and increase overall satisfaction with their parking experience while
effectively reducing the carbon footprint.
Parking garages are increasing their use of energy efficient lighting, recycling rainwater systems,
use of local and recycled materials in construction, solar powered roof lighting, and use of
alternative fuels to name a few. Another notable trend in the parking profession is the focus on
providing bicycle storage, car and bicycle share programs, access to transit, and installation of
electric vehicle charging stations. Today’s planners are quick to realize that parking is a key
component to the design of walkable, livable communities, and to broader transportation issues.
This article was submitted by PARK Roanoke.
The City of Roanoke
Department of
Economic
Development
is on Facebook!
Please "like" us
today!
march 2015 / 7
Spotlight on Business
Thornfield Farm offers a friendly face and many options for local goods
Ready for Spring?
Susanna is.
This article highlights Roanoke’s local food economy
and the way one young farmer, Susanna Thornton,
is tapping into the strength of our community and
spreading her roots all over the Valley.
Susanna Thornton, a native Virginian is bringing
fresh, sustainable vegetables and flowers to our local
families, businesses, and farmer's markets. Susanna’s
operation, Thornfield Farm, is growing over an acre of
organic vegetables for sale this year. She is focusing
on three core business opportunities in Roanoke.
First, Thornfield Farm offers a unique farm share
model that focuses on choice and consumer service.
Unlike traditional Community Supported Agriculture
(CSA) models, Susanna is offering a “debit-style” farm
share program. To join the program you commit $300
at the beginning of the year and then you choose
the vegetables and flowers you want throughout the
season. Susanna explains, “I never want people to feel
guilty about their CSA. If you don’t like turnips, I don’t
Susanna Thornton in the greenhouse and ready to plant.
want you to have them. With our farm share you select
what’s right for your household. We believe in the ‘hug
your cosumer’ sales model; I want you to be 100% satisfied with your experience. So we give more value with more choice
and more flexibility. Going on vacation? No problem...you don’t have to order that week. Don’t like squash? No problem!
You don’t have to have any.” Susanna has developed an online store for the farm, so you can choose what you want in
advance and she will wash and pack your order for pick-up in a reusable Thornfield Farm grocery bag.
Secondly, Susanna is working on increasing Roanoke’s participation in local farmer's markets. Pending space availability,
Susanna will be participating in the Grandin Community Market on Saturdays. This thriving farmer's market hosts a variety
of local producers and Susanna believes in the power of bringing the community together around local food. “Working
in Maine taught me what farmer’s markets can really achieve. This type of economic development helps towns thrive,
increases healthy lifestyles and provides a sustainable financial path for small, local agriculture. I believe the Roanoke
farmer's markets have the potential to drive our local economy and I’m excited to be a part of the effort,” says Susanna.
The Grandin Community Market is run by Roanoke nonprofit, LEAP. For Susanna this makes a big difference. She says,
“LEAP is the kind of organization that made me want to return to Roanoke. It is because of groups like LEAP, and people
like Brent Cochran and Maureen Best that we are seeing a thriving local food scene here. Their leadership on this issue is
incredible.”
Finally, Susanna is also selling vegetables to local restaurants dedicated to supporting quality, local produce. Companies
like Breadcraft, Lucky, and Blue Ridge Catering have expressed interest in buying from her this season. “Restaurants are a
key part of the equation. Chefs like Jeff Farmer teach people what you can do with high quality ingredients.” Says Susanna,
“it is exciting to see restaurants sign up to support local farmers.”
continued on page 8
•
march 2015 / 8
Roanoke Regional Small Business Development Center Hires New Director
Mr. Bart Smith has been named Director of the Roanoke Regional Small Business Development
Center located at the Roanoke Regional Chamber.
Mr. Smith received his B.A. from the University of Tennessee and worked in numerous small business management positions before eventually opening his first The UPS Store franchise on the Outer
Banks of North Carolina in 1999. The second location in the franchise was opened in 2004 and Mr.
Smith eventually sold his company in 2011.
After consulting for UPS Stores in North and South Carolina and serving as a flight instructor for the
Clemson University Flying Club, Mr. Smith moved to Virginia to serve as the Director for the Region
2000 Small Business Development Center located in Lynchburg, VA.
Bart enjoys being a part of the Grandin Village neighborhood in Roanoke where he currently
resides with his wife Suzanne and their crazy dogs Maggie and Jack. He can be contacted at
[email protected].
Mr. Bart Smith
Spotlight on Business - continued from Page 7~
Susanna’s first round of vegetables are already in the ground.
She will have produce available for sale from April through December and you can find her all over the Roanoke Valley. Thornfield
Farm will host farm stands at Community School in Hollins on Tuesdays from 3:30 - 6 pm, at Sweet Donkey Coffee at the corner
of McClanahan Street and Broadway Avenue, SW from 3:30-6:30 pm on Thursdays, and at the Grandin Community Market on
Saturdays from 8 am - noon (pending market space availability). These three farm stand locations are central to Susanna’s
business. As she says, “direct connection and face-to-face engagement with my customers is what makes me do this work. I
believe my greatest impact can be right here; engaging directly with you, this community and this land.” This mentality and
Thornfield Farm’s partnership with Sweet Donkey Coffee are great examples of the type of local economic development we like to
see flourish in Roanoke.
Sweet Donkey Coffee is committed to community and works hard to support those that focus on quality and sustainability. The farm
and the coffee shop are doing joint promotions: buy 10 coffees and get a free bouquet of flowers from the farm. Or sign up for a
farm share, pick-up at Sweet Donkey and get a free coffee beverage of your choice. Sweet Donkey co-owner Dustin Eshelman
says, “this is an awesome opportunity for us to showcase our commitment to the local food movement. We love the idea of having
a farmer's market feel at the shop and believe in the importance of getting healthy, local food into our homes and onto our tables.
Plus, the flowers are great!”
The local food movement isn’t just about health and the emotional appeal of buying from your local farmer...it’s about economics.
The New Economics Foundation, an independent economic think tank based in London, compared what happens when people buy
produce at a supermarket vs. a local farmer’s market or community supported agriculture (CSA) program and found that twice the
money stayed in the community when folks bought locally. “That means those purchases are twice as efficient in terms of keeping
the local economy alive,” says author and NEF researcher David Boyle.
We’re happy to have Susanna back. She grew up on her family farm in Botetourt county and farming runs in her blood. But, she
left Virginia to explore. Susanna attended the University of Mary Washington, moved to China, worked on political campaigns
in New Orleans, became a business consultant in Washington DC, ran the marketing and communications department for an
education nonprofit in San Francisco, and then finally remembered what really made her happy...farming. She moved to Maine
to work and learn from experienced organic producers. Now she’s back in the area, bringing a fresh face to Thornfield Farm and
local produce to the Roanoke Valley!
march 2015 / 9
Virginia Western to Launch Medical Laboratory Technology Program
Application period open now ~ MLT Associate of Applied Science classes start Fall 2015
Virginia Western Community College announces the launch of a Medical Laboratory Technology program in the Fall Semester 2015. The program
will fill a growing need in the Roanoke Region’s thriving healthcare industry and provide students opportunities to begin strong careers in the
medical field.
The application period is now open for Medical Laboratory Technology, which will lead to students earning an Associate’s Degree of Applied
Science. Coursework will take place on Virginia Western’s campus while clinical labs will be held at Carilion Clinic and Lewis-Gale Medical
Center. Based upon clinical sites, it is anticipated the first class will consist of 20 students. For information on how to apply, students are
encouraged to call (540) 857-7306.
“Our partners in healthcare have related the need for well-trained medical laboratory technicians and we are thrilled this program will fill that
need,” said Dr. Elizabeth Wilmer, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs. “It will also provide students a chance to start in the medical
field with salaries upwards of $40,000 per year, or to continue on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree and become Medical Laboratory Scientists.”
MLT's typically work in hospital clinical laboratories or private clinical laboratories and perform complex lab testing that allows physicians and
other healthcare workers to properly diagnose and monitor patient diseases. Clinical lab personnel also play a role in monitoring drug therapy,
and finding the cause of chemical poisoning. The clinical lab consists of four main components: hematology, clinical chemistry, transfusion
medicine and clinical microbiology/virology/parasitology. Personnel may choose to work in one area, or can rotate through each area.
“As part of Virginia Western’s MLT program, our students can also obtain a Career Studies Certificate in Biotechnology,” said Carole Graham,
Dean of Health Professions. “This will give them a leg up in the job market and the expertise to be proficient in whatever clinical setting is the best
fit.”
The MLT program is particularly suited to students with a strong science background. Graduates will perform an integral role in a healthcare team
and help with the diagnosis of disease.
“I often hear from people who are interested in healthcare, but are not inclined to enjoy close patient contact,” said Dr. Jeffrey Gillette, MLT
Program Head. “MLT presents an opportunity for these people to help others while working in a laboratory setting.” In addition to MLT, Virginia
Western offers a wide array of health professions programs from Dental Hygiene to Nursing to Radiation Oncology. For a complete program
listing, visit: http://www.virginiawestern.edu/academics/health/programs.php.
With nearly 13,000 students on the college’s main campus in Southwest Roanoke City, to our satellite locations at the Greenfield Education &
Training Center in Daleville and the Franklin Center in Rocky Mount, Virginia Western Community College is committed to providing affordable,
accessible, and quality educational opportunities and workforce training to meet individual, community, and global needs. To learn more, visit
www.virginiawestern.edu.
march 2015 / 10
The Roanoke and New River Valleys are changing. Training & Events ~
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
MARKETING BASICS -
4 - 7 pm
Once known as sleepy towns where railroads passed through and college kids moved on, the Roanoke and
New River valleys have transformed into a hub of healthcare, higher education, advanced technology and
entrepreneurship.
Quality-of-life amenities such as museums, shops, parks, greenways, waterways, vibrant downtowns, and
festivals have also played a prominent role in the region’s recent growth and accolades.
Communities that actively promote and leverage these amenities have a competitive advantage in attracting
and retaining quality employees and future leaders. That’s why we’re proud to introduce Xperience 2015,
a one-of-a-kind event filled with ideas and inspiration to get young professionals – and those not quite so
young -- connected, engaged and involved.
Maybe you know an alum who studied in the region and has moved away. Maybe you know of a family
member who is thinking of moving back. Or maybe you are a young professional wondering if this is the
right place for you – and how you fit in.
At our inaugural Xperience event, March 27-28 in Roanoke, participants will come away with a better
understanding of living, working and playing in our region, make a boatload of connections and maybe
even snag a new job.
We’re bringing together some of the most influential and connected thinkers and doers in the region to help
Xperience participants see the Roanoke and New River valleys in a new light – a place to pursue dreams,
meet like-minded leaders, raise a family, wander and explore. In other words, to achieve that perfect worklife balance.
Xperience kicks off on Friday, March 27, with a reception at 16 West in downtown Roanoke. Participants
will get a chance to mingle at one of the region’s newest venues, where entrepreneurship, community
activism and artistic expression come together amid the aroma of wood-fired pizza. And a gym upstairs to
work it all off.
The next day, Saturday, March 28, we move to the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center for workshops and
panel discussions hosted by local entrepreneurs and community leaders from business, government and
non-profits. The event will showcase the quality of life of the Roanoke & New River valleys to young professionals who may be unaware of our many amenities. These sessions will provide first-hand experiences from those who have found success here. Tentative topics include: The Anatomy of Our Success; Why We’re Here; Building Your Professional Network; Finding
Your Next Job; Career in Transition; How to Get Involved and Make a Difference; Project Livability;
Preparing for Leadership; The Impact of Self-Branding; Leverage Your Network; The Power of Leadership
and more. Xperience will conclude Saturday afternoon with a segment designed to highlight Roanoke’s
burgeoning outdoor recreational culture. Participants will then celebrate the conclusion with a reception at
one of our booming breweries.
Our partners include YP540, the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Roanoke-Blacksburg
Technology Council, Downtown Roanoke, Inc., and a growing list of organizations committed to seeing
our valleys prosper.
For more information, visit http://xperience2015.wix.com/roanokeblacksburg#!register/c7hs; there is a $15
registration fee.
This course describes the fundamentals
of the most important aspect of any small
business: marketing. At the end of this
course, you will be able to create a comprehensive marketing plan for your small
business that encompasses a creative
plan, a positioning plan, and a media
marketing calendar--the essentials of any
good marketing strategy. Topics covered
by this course include: What is marketing? Conducting market research. Analyzing the market environment. Selecting
your target markets. Placing products &
services. Website Do's and Don'ts. Social
Media Marketing. Creating a marketing
plan and calendar. Determining ROI.
Speaker: Bart Smith
Location: Roanoke Small Business
Development Center, 210 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke, VA
Cost: Free
Information/Registration: Visit
https://clients.virginiasbdc.org/reg.
Saturday, March 28, 2015
BEGINNING BEEKEEPER
WORKSHOP -
9 am - 5 pm
This one day class will prepare the beginning beekeeper to enjoy a successful
season. The classroom instruction and
field demonstrations provide participants
with a strong foundation of beekeeping
knowledge. Topics include the history of
the hive and honeybee, honeybee biology,
necessary equipment, honeybee pests and
diseases, laws and regulations, African
honeybees, pollen and nectar sources and
harvesting your honey.
Speaker: Mark Chorba
Location: Catawba Sustainability
Center, Catawba, VA
Cost: $100; includes book and
lunch
Information/Registration: Visit
http://www.cpe.vt.edu/beekeep/. For more information
contact Erin Burcham at erinb1@
vt.edu or call 540.767.6100. march 2015 / 11
Recent City of Roanoke Retail Openings!
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Walmart Neighborhood Market - Dale Avenue, SE
January 28, 2015
Deadline Approaching for State Enterprise Zone Grant Applications
Just a reminder: if you have made significant capital and/or job investments in your business in 2014,
and are located in one of the City’s two Enterprise Zones, your window to apply for State Enterprise Zone
grants (Job Creation and/or Real Property Investment) closes on April 1st. For more information on these
programs, please contact Brandon Turner, Economic Development Specialist with the City of Roanoke
Department of Economic Development at 540-853-5405.
march 2015 / 12
Development Opportunities in the City of Roanoke
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
440 acres designed for light manufacturing
Enterprise Zone location, with City of Roanoke and state incentives
Located on Highway 460 close to I-81 and I-581
Home to regional, national and multinational corporations
All utilities available
Protective covenants to ensure investment
Five sites available
Three graded and ready to go
Sites range from 6.6 to 31 acres
For more information, contact the Dept. of Economic Development at 540.853.2715 or
email [email protected].
Tract D ~ Roanoke Centre for Industry and Technology
march 2015 / 13
Development Property for Sale at the intersection of
Williamson Road & Elm Avenue
Located adjacent to Elmwood Park and just blocks away from the Historic Farmers’ Market, this site is highly visible from I-581. The site
consists of two parcels of approximately 0.8856 acres with the street addresses of 502 Williamson Rd., SE, Tax Map Number 4013322
and 197 Bullitt Ave., S.E., Tax Map Number 4013321. A portion of the property has been temporarily leased to VDOT for the storage of
construction materials and equipment. This lease is anticipated to expire in September 2015.
For complete property details, please follow the link to the City of Roanoke’s GIS system and use the Search/Query function by entering
the tax map numbers. GIS link: http://gisre.roanokeva.gov/
This property, located in Enterprise Zone One A, may be eligible for the following Incentives:
• Fire, Water and Sewer Hookup Grants
• Building Permit and Comprehensive Development Review Fee Rebates
• Job Creation Grant
• Real Property Investment Grants
How to Propose:
Proposals for the property must contain the following elements and be accompanied by the
required signature form available on the Economic Development website under Available
Properties, 502 Williamson Road:
•
•
•
•
•
Identification of the property, and any adjacent property involved in your development,
and the intention to purchase or lease the parcel(s)
Concept plan of the intended development including use, location and size of any buildings, number of units, and a timeline for the completion of the project
Description of the qualifications and experience of the proposer/developer
Business Plan and Financial Plan for the project
Proposed offer amount for the property
Proposals will be reviewed and evaluated for compatibility to the City of Roanoke’s
Comprehensive Plan and Neighborhood Plan. The proposer will be contacted after suffcient
time for staff review.
Please submit your written proposal to:
Marc Nelson, Special Projects Coordinator
City of Roanoke Department of Economic Development
117 Church Avenue, SW
Roanoke, VA 24011
Telephone: 540-853-2715 or email: [email protected]
march 2015 / 14
Accepting Proposals
Development Property for Sale
of
Historic Villa Heights
The City of Roanoke (owner) is accepting proposals for the purchase and redevelopment of Villa Heights, located at 2750 Hoover
Street, NW, Roanoke, VA 24017. Parcel tax number 2430601.
The property features a two-story, 5,036 square foot Classical Revival home known as the Compton-Bateman House. Built in the
1830s, the house is set on 3.4 acres adjacent to a park. The property was damaged by fire in 2011. The property may potentially
be eligible for listing on the state and federal registers of historic places, though no comprehensive evaluation has taken place
since the 2011 fire. The City may make certain funds available to a prospective purchaser to be used in the rehabilitation of the
structure; such funds the city received from property insurance proceeds.
For complete property details, please follow the link below to the City of Roanoke’s GIS system and use the Search/Query function
by entering the parcel Tax Number provided above. GIS link: http://gisre.roanokeva.gov/
How to Propose:
Proposals for the property must contain the following elements and be accompanied by the required Surplus Property Sale
Proposal and Signature Form available on the Department of Economic Development website at “Available Properties” and listed as
“Villa Heights”.
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Identification of the property and any adjacent property involved in your development
Concept plan of the intended development promoting an active, daily use by the public, location and size of any buildings, number of units and a timeline for completion
Description of the qualifications and experience of the proposer/developer
Business and Financial Plans for the project
Offer amount for the property
Proposals will be reviewed and evaluated for compatibility to the City of Roanoke’s Comprehensive Plan and Neighborhood Plan
and the proposer will be contacted after sufficient time for such review.
Please submit your written proposal to:
Rob Ledger, Manager, Department of Economic Development
117 Church Avenue, SW
Roanoke, VA 24011
Or submit by email to: [email protected]
For more information please contact the Department of Economic Development at 540-853-2715.