Local Business and Economic Development
Roanoke City officials believe a new bank headquarters building will help boost development along the Franklin Road corridor. Ridge View Bank is a little more than two years old with retail branches in Salem and Smith Mountain Lake and a loan origination office in downtown Roanoke. With today’s groundbreaking, construction is now set to begin on its headquarters on part of the big parking lot in front of the former K-Mart building. The Ridge View headquarters building should open in about one year, and it will include another retail branch. Bank officials say long-term plans are in the works to serve parts of four states. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story:
Hannah Varnell submitted photos
A Roanoke County-based business that brings large animal veterinary services to farms in Virginia has just received a grant from the US Department of Agriculture. That will enable Wellfarm, to its expand mobile wellness, and herd health services, also helping farmers maximize their production outputs as well. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Photo: Gene Marrano/WFIR
Visitor spending in the Roanoke region reached a new high in 2022, exceeding levels reached before the pandemic brought so much to a halt. Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge coordinates efforts to bring visitors to the region. It all took a big hit, of course, when COVID arrived in 2020, but the travel-related expenditures for last year are in, and they are the most ever, topping $872 million in direct spending — for conventions, hotels, restaurants, retail, outdoor recreation and much more. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones:
The future appears promising — VBR reports close to two million unique visitors to its website last year — also a new record.
John Hull
Wells Fargo & Company will invest 87 million dollars to upgrade its financial services customer support center in Roanoke County – which could create an additional 1100 hundred jobs, on top of the more than 1650 employees who already work there. The 4 to 5 year expansion includes technology upgrades, amenities for employee dining and wellness options. Subject to General Assembly approval, Wells Fargo could be eligible for a 15 million dollar performance grant for the Plantation Road expansion. Estimated Annual economic impact is more than 300 million dollars. It represents the largest number of new jobs announced in the region from a single project in more than 40 years according to the Roanoke Regional Partnership, where John Hull is the executive director:
(news release) ROANOKE, VA— Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) will invest $87 million to invest, modernize, and expand its customer support center in Roanoke County. The investment will allow room for the creation of approximately 1,100 new jobs and enhance the working experience for more than 1,650 current employees. This project will represent both the largest commercial office investment and single project employment announcement in Roanoke County’s history, and Wells Fargo will become the largest employer in Roanoke County with this expansion.
“Wells Fargo is excited to announce this significant commitment to the Roanoke area as an important employment center for the company,” said John W. Delaney, Head of Wells Fargo’s Consumer Operations whose team has the largest presence on site. “We’re one of the largest private employers in the Roanoke Region, and we are pleased to be able to make these investments in this space including, expanded amenities like food, health, and well-being options, as well as improved and expanded collaboration spaces, all supported through significant upgrades in technology throughout the building.”
ARPA funds have brought nearly 20 new affordable housing properties to Roanoke City. WFIR’s Emma Thomas has more $2.6-million-dollar grant that helped Habitat for Humanity help aspiring journeymen and homeowner’s alike:
Alice Kassens Roanoke College photo
For the first time, the Institute for Policy and Opinion Research at Roanoke College has issued the “Virginia Trust Index Report,” based on three questions its been asking since 2017 when it also gauges Consumer Sentiment. The Trust Index results can be tied to economic factors as well. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Lynda McNutt Foster submitted photo
Cortex Leadership Consulting and The Salem-Roanoke County Chamber have joined forces to strengthen area business leaders. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports the program has the potential to help area leaders become a global force.
April Jones
While working in the fashion industry in New York City, April Jones watched a plane crash into the south World Trade Center Tower on September 11th, 2001. That tragedy led her back home to Virginia and now after several stops in between, the recent Gauntlet competition participant has launched a business focused on seniors. The story from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Cyrus Pace-Jeff Center pic.
Jefferson Center Executive Director Cyrus Pace says the Center is needs 6-million dollars worth of repairs and renovations. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports Pace told city council yesterday there is an immediate need for $250-thousand dollars worth of work.
Stacey Porter submitted photo
Is repainting the house or replacing kitchen cabinets really the best move to make before selling a home? Its time sellers had more information at hand says a local Realtor, who will offer a “Selling Smart” workshop over the next month. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Workshop schedule
Wednesday 9/27/2023 Williamson Road Library 6:30-7:30 pm
3837 Williamson Rd, Roanoke, VA 24012
Thursday 10/5/2023 Hollins Library 6:30-7:30 pm
6624 Peters Creek Rd, Roanoke, VA 24019
Thursday 10/12/2023 Glenvar Library 6:30-7:30 pm
3917 Daugherty Rd, Salem, VA 24153
Monday 10/16/2023 South County Library 6:30-7:30 pm
6303 Merriman Rd, Roanoke, VA 24018
Pre-registration is required at Equitybuildersworkshop.com or interested participants can email hello@equitybuildersworkshop.com