Local Business and Economic Development

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:

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: