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WelcomeWelcome to the latest issue of The Point, the e-newsletter that offers a refreshing slice of business and life from the NewVa Region – the Roanoke and New River valleys and Alleghany Highlands in western Virginia. Whether your company is considering a move or you’re just staying informed about our region, in this issue you will read about a new year of change, growth, expansion and more retail options:
The Point is a publication of the Roanoke Valley Economic Development Partnership, which has assisted in expansions and locations representing more than $1.2 billion in announced new investment and more than 13,400 direct new jobs since 1983. Please tell us what topics you would like to read about in The Point. |
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Arkay to Double Size of Packaging Plant
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In Roanoke, the healthcare hub for southwest Virginia, 110 acres near downtown are being transformed into a leading medical research and technology center, pairing Carilion Clinic -- one of Virginia's largest health care employers – with Virginia Tech and several high-tech companies.
Riverside Center is a research and development park that will provide an ideal environment for biotech companies. Conveniently located next to Carilion's flagship, Roanoke Memorial Hospital, the complex will have access to parks and walking and biking trails along the Roanoke River greenway.
With one building complete, crews are completing a 1,200-space parking garage. Under construction now: the 200,000-square-foot Carilion Clinic headquarters.
Construction is set to begin later this year on a new medical school and research institute. The school, a joint venture between Carilion and Virginia Tech, expects to welcome the inaugural class of future physicians in 2010.
The research institute -- also a joint venture with Virginia Tech – could create 350 jobs over the next six years. Research will be a key component of the school’s curriculum, with the goal of training physicians who want to make research part of their medical careers. Virginia Tech’s involvement provides opportunities to expand current research programs at the university.
Heading the school as founding dean of the College of Medicine is Dr. Cynda Ann Johnson, who comes to Roanoke from East Carolina University.
“Dr. Johnson brings a broad and distinguished career as a physician leader, educator, academician, and national leader in healthcare and medical education,” says Carilion’s president and CEO, Dr. Edward G. Murphy. “Her experience and strengths will complement the strong faculty at Carilion Clinic and Virginia Tech and further provide the leadership and vision needed to successfully develop and launch our new medical school.”
“Together we will continue to grow a dynamic and energetic relationship between Virginia Tech, Carilion and the Roanoke Valley, which provides leadership in medical education, transforms health care delivery in our region, and contributes important research which informs the well-being and healthcare of our communities,” adds Charles Steger, president of Virginia Tech.
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Recognizing the region’s love of the outdoors – and with the Blue Ridge Mountains beckoning in every direction – three national sporting goods chains are moving into the region. Sportsman’s Warehouse has opened its first Virginia location in Roanoke. Gander Mountain Sports, a leading retailer of hunting and fishing supplies, is building a new store along Interstate 81 in Roanoke County. For those who prefer spending the night outdoors in tents or RVs, Camping World also is moving into Southwest Virginia.
Panera Bread, which set a national record in first-week sales at its first Roanoke Valley location in 2006, has opened a second bakery-café here. It anchors the new District at Valley View, which includes Abuelo’s Mexican Food Embassy, Carrabba’s Italian Grill and Barnes & Noble.
Roanoke’s varied food scene is growing with two newcomers serving up traditional favorites. Cheeburger Cheeburger, home of the 20-ounce Pounder Burger, has set up in a revitalizing Tanglewood Mall. Meanwhile, The Blues BBQ Company has moved into the City of Roanoke’s historic City Market, joining a line-up of barbecue eateries new to the Roanoke Valley. They include Pitt Boss BBQ and a second location for Henry’s Memphis BBQ.
In addition to choosing between paper or plastic (and increasingly canvas), the region’s residents are enjoying more grocery options. Ukrop’s, with legendary service and outstanding selection, has opened its biggest-ever store in the City of Roanoke, complete with underground parking garage and clerks who carry groceries to your car. It’s the Richmond-based company’s first foray into western Virginia and, based on consumer responses, a delicious decision. Ukrop's has been ranked by Fortune magazine as one of the 100 best companies to work for.
The stunning new Art Museum of Western Virginia, set to open this November, is now named after its primary benefactors, Nicholas and Jenny Taubman. The $66 million Taubman Museum of Art, as it will be called, was helped along thanks to a $15.25 million contribution from the couple. Mr. Taubman, currently the U.S. ambassador to Romania, is a former chairman and CEO of Roanoke-based Advance Auto Parts.
To help attract additional national retailers, the City of Roanoke has started an online poll asking residents in the region for their wish list. Check out the tally. On the wish lists for visitors to the site are, among others, IKEA, Trader Joe’s, Pottery Barn and Nordstrom.
The area’s beloved, historic Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center has completed the second phase of a top-to-bottom interior makeover. Another 180 rooms, suites and corridors in the 331-room Tudor-style Doubletree hotel are being overhauled with new carpet, drapes, furnishings and flat-screen TVs. Bathrooms are getting black granite countertops and beds are getting no less than five pillows. Sweet dreams!
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The Roanoke Valley Economic Development Partnership has named Beth Doughty as new executive director. Doughty, who led the Partnership in the 1990s, had been president of the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce since 1999.
She is a former president of the Virginia Economic Development Association and received its prestigious Cardinal Award for economic development leadership.
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