A first for The Innovation Mill in Vinton – grant funding for startup Gene Marrano July 9, 2020 1 minute read Mickey Cowden Its a first for The Innovation Mill in Vinton – one of the dozen or so startups they are nurturing has received a grant to develop its drone technology for farm use. It won’t be the last grant as WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports: Share: Post navigation Previous: Virginia clears its years-long rape test kit backlogNext: Overall coronavirus case count in Roanoke County exceeds 300 Related Stories 1 minute read Five years after Jan. 6, former Virginia congresswoman speaks out Web Staff January 7, 2026 0 1 minute read The Exchange debuts with Grace Potter, a new exhibit at Gallery 360 and the Roanoke Regional Writers Conference Gene Marrano January 7, 2026 0 1 minute read 6th District Democratic candidate calls on Congressman Ben Cline to keep President Trump in check when it comes to action in Venezuela Clark Palmer January 7, 2026 0