Company Testimonials

  Virginia Forge Company  - Novozymes Biologicals - Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore
Metalsa Roanoke - Virginia Western Community College 
 Integrity Windows - Atlantic Credit & Finance, Inc. 

"We were looking for a place that was hospitable to modern manufacturing, and the Roanoke Valley fit the bill."

"Virginia Forge is here to stay. Our parent company continues to invest in our location because the Roanoke Valley is an extremely nice area for the poeple who work here -- and for the people from our corporate headquarters when they visit."

"The automotive industry is not headquartered in Detroit anymore; it's moved South. So this region is right in the middle of the action. In this area, you have a workforce that's familiar with automotive practices and staff that's familiar with lean principles. That's what the automotive industry needs. The automotive industry is synonymous with high tech and automation. Virginia Forge benefits from the fact that there are other high-tech companies here, and we need support from the same suppliers. I think that applies to other automotive companies as well."

David Nelson
Plant Manager
Virginia Forge Company

"Get here while the gettin' is good. In the next few years, this area will become a hot spot for businesses expanding. Roanoke has such a good cost structure, a great location, especially as cities like Charlotte and Northern Virginia expand outward."

"People that have families find the Valley to be a very attractive place to live. The school systems are good. The cost of living is very affordable. And there are a variety of recreational opportunities."

"We have a really good workforce here. We can recruit locally and nationally and get top-notch people."

Ted Melnik
President
Novozymes Biologicals 

"When you come to the Valley, certainly the geographic beauty is striking. Roanoke has a very vibrant downtown. People want to come here with their families, but they can also take advantage of the energy and advances in technology coming out of Virginia Tech."

"Governments in the area are cooperating at a level I've never seen before. It's this cooperative "Can Do" attitude that tells companies we want them here."

"I think what keeps companies in the Roanoke Valley is a skilled and committed workforce. And we promote a very pro-business climate. It's a great place to live, work and raise a family."

"In Roanoke, you have lots of skilled workers, so moving new companies here gives people the opportunity to use these skills. I think anyone opening a new place here would find plenty of skilled manufacturing workers who are ready to show off their skills."

"Having three girls, it means a lot to me to be able to bring up my kids in this area. The schools are great, and the teachers are much more one-on-one than in big cities"

"I feel really lucky to be in a place where I can live and be comfortable."

"We've developed a flexible rapid-response team for business and industry that can offer training and education programs specific to a company's needs. We can do this quickly and quite cost-effectively."

"If a company calls and says they need a training program for their second shift workers, we can start a custom program for them next week."

"The key to a business success today is having a quality workforce. In Virginia Western, we have a community college ready to offer training when a company locates here, as well as to existing companies who want to expand employee capabilities."

"Businesses are looking for a quality workforce. We're here to provide that."