Local Business and Economic Development
GO Virginia Region 2 will be celebrating the milestones reached by its first round of grantees at a special event tomorrow. More from WFIR’s intern reporter Rachel Meell:
Virginia Technology Today
“Virginia Technology Today” is the name of a new extended-length in-studio feature that listeners will hear for the first time tomorrow morning at 8:45. A preview from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
John Phillips-RBTC
The RAMP regional accelerator that got off the ground in 2017 is ahead of the contracted agreement for the number of new jobs that members of three “co-horts” to date have created. The recently-hired President for the organization that oversees it spoke to WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
The RAMP high-tech business incubator on South Jefferson Street in Roanoke held a reception for its most recent “graduates” earlier this week. More on the latest cohort from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Annette Patterson (L) and Sheri Winesett – Advancement Foundation
The 6th annual Gauntlet Business Program and Competition returns starting next month – and the Advancement Foundation that sponsors it is seeking applications. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Hear the complete in studio conversation about The Advancement Foundation and the Innovation Mill:
Four months after 130 other employees in Roanoke were furloughed, Norfolk Southern announced another round of layoffs this morning. That includes 47 at the locomotive shops and another 20 at Shaffer’s Crossing. That information came from a union official according to WDBJ-7. A subsequent statement from Norfolk Southern called the furloughs “consistent with the railroad’s organizational realignment.”
Farmburguesa-Grandin/I Price photo
It took a bit longer than anticipated with issues concerning the building and permitting to be resolved, but Farmburguesa is finally ready to launch its second and much larger location on Memorial Avenue in Grandin Village. Soft openings begin tomorrow from 11am until 2, then again from 5 to 9. There’s a ribbon cutting on the 17th. Farmburguesa is best known for its gourmet burgers. Jimmy Delgado is a co-owner:
The strong first-year numbers for Illuminights has encouraged another more permanent attraction at Roanoke County’s Explore Park to continue its weekend hours until a planned grand opening in the spring. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
More Virginians are upbeat about the real estate market than they were a year ago at the same time – and a strong economy has something to do with that says a Roanoke College analyst. WFIR’s Gene Marrano has the story:
Roanoke’s newest downtown hotel should make its debut next year but on Monday TV watchers can get a sneak preview of the early remodeling process. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano: