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
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
Prior to the pandemic there was already a shortage of workers in the U.S., especially those with specialized training. Now two years into the COVID era, a report culled from various databases including the Bureau of Labor Statistics sheds some light. The story from WFIR’s Gene Marrano: