Local Business and Economic Development
DUBLIN—Governor Ralph Northam today announced that the Volvo Group will invest nearly $400 million to expand its Volvo Trucks North America New River Valley (NRV) assembly operation in Pulaski County. Major components of the investment include a new 350,000-square-foot building that will ultimately house truck cab welding operations; an expansion of the existing plant to allow for further improvements to the facility’s paint operations and overall material/production flow; and a variety of equipment upgrades, including installation of several state-of-the-art dynamometers for vehicle testing. Volvo considered sites in multiple other states for the expansion project, which will create 777 new jobs within approximately six years.
“As the leading private employer in the New River Valley, Volvo Trucks has been a bedrock of this community for more than forty years and has fueled the regional economy,” said Governor Northam. “The company’s decision to grow its footprint in the Commonwealth not only recognizes the strength of our manufacturing sector, but also reflects the skill of our workers, the quality of life in rural Virginia, and the competitiveness of our business climate. This announcement represents one of the largest capital investments in the history of Southwestern Virginia, and I am confident that this expansion will both prepare the NRV plant for continued success and solidify Volvo’s presence in Pulaski County for decades to come.” Volvo Trucks provides complete transport solutions for customers, offering a full range of medium to heavy duty trucks
Roanoke County supervisors and staffers take a tour – G Marrano photo
The former All-State Building in southwest Roanoke County on Electric Road held its formal Grand Reopening this morning. Metis Plaza is owned by Metis Holdings, which offers insurance and risk management services. They occupy about 63,000 square feet in the building, with 5 other tenants also leasing space. About 50,000 square feet is still available for lease in the 180,000 square foot facility, which All-State opened in 1970. On site is a fitness studio open to the public and a health-food cafe that is available to all tenants. Metis spent around nine million dollars to purchase and renovate the hilltop building. Jill Loope is director of economic development for Roanoke County:
Erin Burcham
The “Go Virginia” initiative in Region 2 – 18 jurisdictions including Roanoke, Lynchburg and the New River Valley – released the results of a study today it calls “Stopping the Brain Drain.” Erin Burcham with the Roanoke Regional Partnership says the study reveals there are assets that can help retain and attract talented professionals – but there’s also more work to be done. Common themes of the Go Virginia Region 2 study included calls for access to a larger talent pool, entry level applicants with more employable skills and specialized skill-sets like IT and engineering.
More than 3300 people found jobs last year and about half earned special skills credentials. That’s from the latest Goodwill Industries of the Valleys Community Report, as WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports:
Click below to hear our full conversation with Goodwill Industries on the Community Report:
With Father’s Day this weekend, a study shows that Virginia is a much better state for working dads than for working moms. WFIR’s Ian Price has more:
You can see the full results for the “best states for working moms” study by clicking here
Matt Ward won a three-way contest to capture the Republican party’s nomination for Botetourt County sheriff in Tuesday’s primary. Ward is a master deputy in the sheriff’s office, and he will face Independent candidates Danny Crouse and William Stowell in November. Ward captured about 56% of the votes cast, followed by Jeff Stritesky with 30% and Mike Vineyard with 14%.
In Botetourt County’s Blue Ridge District, incumbent Board of Supervisors member Billy Martin easily turned back a Republican Party primary challenge from Walter Michael, gaining about 67% of the vote. Martin is currently the board’s chairman.
In the Republican primary race for the county’s Commissioner of the Revenue, Chris Booth defeated Michael Griffin 57-43%.
Clark Palmer photos
16 West Marketplace on Church Avenue in Roanoke is harkening back to its roots as the former site of an S&W Cafeteria. It’s now home to the “Crafteria” with outdoor signage that recreates the old S&W sign. You can find handmade food and goods there as co-founder Mark Lynn Ferguson explained at a ribbon cutting this morning. The new “makers market” features goods from more than 60 craftspeople; there’s also a community kitchen that can be rented out by food entrepreneurs.
At one time “The Yard” meant the entertainment district centered on Henry Street in Gainsboro. Tomorrow an all-day event there (including a soul food “cookoff”) and on surrounding streets aims to evoke that period of time – and raise funds. WFIR’s Gene Marrano has the story:
