Local Business and Economic Development

A major fund-raising campaign is underway to help the Roanoke region attract new and high-paying employers — and the jobs and economic development they can bring. “Thrive 2027” has a $3.6 million goal to help fund such efforts over the next five years. It quietly raised $2.8 million before entering its public phase today. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:

CLICK HERE for full Thrive 2027 information.

Lowe’s Expected to Bring 70 Jobs and Support Economic Development in the Roanoke Valley

Lowe’s will be building a new distribution center at Valley Tech Park, the Roanoke County industrial center near I-81. The 11 million dollar development deal includes a 60,000 square foot warehouse to be built, employing about 70 once  it is completed within the next year. Roanoke-based Cherney Development is partnering on the deal. Roanoke County Director of Economic Development Jill Loope on what’s trending:

ROANOKE, VA (February 7, 2022) – Roanoke-based Cherney Development today announced the completion of an $11 million development deal that will bring a new distribution operation for Lowe’s Companies, Inc. to Roanoke County. The new warehouse and distribution center is expected to generate 70 new jobs and contribute to the economic vitality of the county and the region. Cherney Development, in partnership with Samet Corporation, a leading contractor and development firm for the Southeast, will develop the site and construct the 60,000-square-foot distribution warehouse in Roanoke County’s Valley TechPark located on Technology Drive in West Roanoke County near Dixie Caverns.

The new warehouse and distribution site will position Lowe’s to more quickly and efficiently deliver products to consumers in the region as the 5G revolution takes hold and revolutionizes online commerce and delivery logistics. Lowe’s expects to fill 70 jobs at the site from delivery drivers to warehouse staff. “We’re on the cusp of great leaps in logistics and the delivery of consumer goods enabled by the roll-out of 5G and IOT technology,” says Jim Cherney, Founder and CEO of Cherney Development. “To realize the full benefits this provides, we need physical infrastructure in place and I’m proud to work with Samet Corporation and Roanoke County Economic Development who helped pave the way to make that possible right here in the Roanoke Valley.”

“We are excited to be a part of the site development and construction of this facility,” says Ken Grube, Regional Vice President for Samet. “We’ve been constructing projects like this one for over 60 years and understand the importance in creating a trusted partnership with all the key stakeholders to deliver both an exceptional project and experience for everyone involved.”
Construction is expected to begin in the coming months and be completed within about a year. The project is being financed by First Community Bank

Photo: RBRA

Allegiant Air will be adding new flights from Roanoke Blacksburg Regional Airport to Nashville. Service starts on April 21st, operating on Thursdays and Sundays through August 14th. Introductory fares are as low as 39 dollars each way. An Allegiant official says right now unless the demand for tickets is higher than expected they see the Nashville flights as being seasonal. Mike Stewart is executive director for the airport:

(From ROA) Today Allegiant Air announced it would be adding new flights and a new destination from Roanoke Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA).Allegiant Air brings its low fares, nonstop flights, to another destination from ROA to Nashville International Airport (BNA) in Nashville, TN. Service starts on April 21, 2022, and operates on Thursdays and Sundays through August 14, 2022, perfect for travelers to spend a weekend in Music City or the Star City.

Allegiant Air has discovered that the Music City is a fantastic weekend destination and we are thrilled that they have chosen to expand service with these new flights from Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport!’ said Mike Stewart, Executive Director of the Roanoke Blacksburg Regional Airport. ‘I encourage everyone in our region to support Allegiant’s new low fare, nonstop service and go discover for yourselves all there is to see, do and enjoy around Nashville! Additionally, having grown up there myself, I encourage Middle Tennessean’s to embrace the “Star City” as your newest destination and to take advantage of these new flights between BNA and ROA to come enjoy all that our beautiful region offers too!’

The seasonal service will operate on Thursday’s and Sunday’s from April 21, 2022 through August 14, 2022. Flights depart Nashville at 07:30 and arrive in Roanoke at 10:00 and then depart Roanoke at 10:50
and arrive in Nashville at 11:25. Introductory fares start as low as $39 each way and are available for sale. Please go to www.allegiantair.com to book flights and see all fare terms and conditions. For Allegiant’s full press release on today’s new route announcements please see the following link https://www.allegiantair.com/search/route-announcements-020122

 

NEWS RELEASE: RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today announced that Phoenix Hardwoods, Inc., an artisan manufacturer of high-quality furniture and home goods made exclusively from Virginia-grown hardwoods, will expand its production facility in the county and open a new retail storefront in the historic Farmer Supply store in the heart of downtown Floyd.
The new retail and manufacturing space will enable the company to grow its product line, improve production efficiencies and better serve its customers. The project will create eight (8) career focused positions, lead to $100,000 in new capital investment and allow the company to purchase an additional $76,000 of Virginia-grown hardwoods over the next three years.
“Phoenix Hardwoods makes such beautiful furniture,” said Governor Ralph S. Northam. “Each piece displays the essence of the tree, sourced near Floyd, celebrating the Blue Ridge, and made right here at home in Virginia. Our team has worked hard over four years to bring business opportunities across Virginia, and we are working hard until the very end. We’ve pushed to recruit large, global companies to Virginia–attracting more than $80 billion in new investment and 100,000 new jobs–but we get really excited about the small, family-run Virginia companies, like Phoenix Hardwoods.”
Established in 2002 by Bill and Corinne Graefe, Phoenix Hardwoods built its reputation through high-quality, artisan-crafted hardwood furniture and home goods. After nearly twenty-years in business, the founders were retiring and planning to close the company. In January 2020, longtime friends of the Graefe’s, Jeff and Annie Armistead, acquired the business. It was a perfect match with Jeff, a lifelong conservationist, and Annie, a local artist and gallery owner. Their desire was to continue what had become a loved and well-respected local business. They are passionate about retaining true handmade artisan craftsmanship which is rich in Floyd and part of the draw to this truly unique community. In addition to keeping the facility and retaining their team of talented young artisans, the company’s retail expansion into the Town of Floyd is breathing new life into the old Farmer’s Supply store, a Floyd landmark that opened in the 1930’s and closed in late 2020.
“As someone who grew-up in the Appalachian woodlands of Craig County, Virginia’s hardwood forests have always held a special place in my heart. I am thrilled that we are able to partner with a community like Floyd County to support a company like Phoenix Hardwoods as both appreciate Virginia’s hardwood resources as much as I do,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring. “As it is through a deep appreciation of our forests and the beautiful products that come from them, like those created by the artisans of Phoenix Hardwoods, that we are able to grow markets for Virginia’s forest landowners and support sustainable forest management and restoration of our forests.”
The company saws, planes, and finishes local hardwood logs and lumber to handcraft fine live edge furniture and accessories. Their mission is to create high end generational pieces that become more valuable once they leave the shop. Their product assortment ranges from custom tables of all kinds beds, stools, chests, live edge mirrors, desks, kitchen goods, and home accessories.  Moving the retail gallery to town will increase customer exposure and broaden their reach. Wholesale products, such as laser cut custom logo cutting boards, is a new and growing part of the business.
“As a lifelong conservationist, I’m overwhelmed and elated to receive this AFID grant,” said Phoenix Hardwoods President Jeff Armistead. “This will allow Phoenix Hardwoods to expand and continue our work with Virginia’s sustainable natural and human resources, trees, and jobs.”
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) worked with Floyd County and the Floyd County Economic Development Authority to secure this project for the Commonwealth. Governor Northam approved a $10,000 grant from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund, which Floyd County will match with local funds.
“The Floyd County Board of Supervisors and the Floyd County EDA are excited about the expansion of Phoenix Hardwoods in the County,” said Floyd County Board of Supervisors Chairman Joe Turman. “This expansion by local entrepreneurs is bringing good job creation to our community and capitalizing on local craftsmanship and hardwoods.”