Local Business and Economic Development
RBRA photo
Three airlines serving Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport are adding more capacity this month on flights to and from the airport. This was already shaping up as ROA’s busiest year since 2000, and this additional capacity should help even more. Airport officials say more capacity should translate into lower airfares. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:
Vinton town leaders say the recent demolition of a former business building is just an early part of the process to bring a new look to one of the main routes into downtown. What was Super Auto Sales building as you turned onto the South Pollard Street from Virginia Avenue is now gone. It is one of five adjacent properties there the town is working to purchase with a long-term goal in mind, as WFIR’s Evan Jones reports:
Google Maps street view of the Super Auto Sales property before its recent demolition. The home to the left is also among those on the town’s list.
Christopher Finley SML Chamber/submitted
The Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce today named Christopher Finley as its new Executive Director. Finley replaces Vicki Gardner who stepped down in July after nearly 17 years at the helm of the 750-member organization. “We are thrilled to have Chris join the Chamber team,” said Lindsey Coley, Chair of the SMLRCC Board of Directors. “His marketing and public relations expertise, leadership experience and comprehensive knowledge of the Smith Mountain Lake region makes him a perfect fit.”
Finley currently serves as Communications Manager for BAE Systems, an international defense, aerospace and security company based in Radford, where he oversees all aspects of communications and community relations. From 2004-2015, he directed marketing programs for The Willard Companies where he launched multiple award-winning campaigns to position Smith Mountain Lake as a premier vacation and relocation destination.
“I’m very excited about returning to Smith Mountain Lake and for the opportunity to drive tourism and grow business for the Chamber’s members and the community,” said Finley, who served on the SMLRCC Board of Directors from 2011 to 2013. “I look forward to supporting the mission of strengthening the social and economic environment of the community.”
Finley has served as president of the local Public Relations Society of America chapter, on the Marketing and Communication Council for Virginia’s Blue Ridge and as PR Chairman for the Roanoke Regional Home Builders Association. He’s currently a director for the Radford Chamber of Commerce.
Ballast Point closing day /G Marrano photo
(From Botetourt County, Daleville, VA) Since 2016, Ballast Point (under the corporate ownership of Constellation Brands ) has been a key member of Botetourt County’s corporate family. We greatly value Constellation Brands’ investment in the County and in the production facility that continues to operate at the Botetourt Center at Greenfield. We look forward to the possibility of expanding the Botetourt facility through Constellation’s innovative growth and building on the relationship we have had for the past three years.
We are disappointed that the Ballast Point Tasting Room and Kitchen has closed; however we are thankful to have enjoyed and benefitted from its presence in both the Botetourt community and the broader Roanoke Valley. The Tasting Room and Kitchen has served as the venue for regional sporting events, community fundraisers and civic and community organization meetings. It truly has been a hub for all types of activities in our region. Botetourt County leaders hope that Constellation Brands studies and implements any potential alternatives for the future use of the facilities so that the public may again enjoy this impressive restaurant space.
The Williamson Road Area Business Association’s new executive director will attend her first Roanoke Greek Festival, which runs today through Sunday. She has plenty of other ideas for supporting WRABA members. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Click below to hear an extended conversation with WRABA’s Valerie Brown:
There were naysayers who thought Franklin County shouldn’t spend money to purchase 550 acres for a proposed business park along US 220 south of Boones Mill – but at a ribbon cutting for “Summit View’s” first tenant today – Valley Star Credit Union – Board of Supervisors chairman Cline Brubaker said those naysayers should “look back in 20 years” – when he estimates more than 2000 jobs will be created. Valley Star hopes to move its administrative offices and 40 jobs there by early 2021, into a 19,000 square foot building. Its a 7 million dollar project with a 14 million dollar build for Stik-Pak Solutions slated to start soon.