Floyd County EDA receives $2.3M federal grant for growth center
The Floyd County Economic Development Authority announced this week it has received a $2.3 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to construct the first building for the Floyd Growth Center, a shared space in the Floyd Regional Commerce Center for small industrial companies. Different from a small business incubator, the center will allow […]
SW Va. businesses, officials urge Northam to reopen region
Southwest Virginia elected officials and business owners are ready to reopen for business, noting that the number of COVID-19 cases in their region is considerably lower than those found in the more populated regions of the state such as Northern Virginia and Central Virginia. “The [economic] effects of the COVID-19 pandem[...]
Pomp and absence
With the rest of the spring semester moved online, her graduation was the only thing Tannah Blair, an accounting major in Virginia Tech’s class of 2020, had to look forward to. “When they made the announcement that graduation was canceled and was being moved online, I was beyond devastated,” Blair says. Due to the COVID-[...]
Virginia Tech develops in-house COVID-19 testing
Virginia Tech researchers announced Wednesday they have developed in-house COVID-19 testing kits and lab processing services to assist Southwest Virginia health departments with patient testing. Test results can be returned to the health departments as soon as same day. The initiative is being led by Dr. Michael Friedlander, Te[...]
Roanoke County laying off 287 part-time workers
Roanoke County announced Friday it will lay off 287 part-time employees, many of whom work in the parks and recreation department. The layoff will start April 24 and “is intended to be temporary, pending future economic conditions,” according to a news release. The cuts affect 232 parks and recreation workers, 50 in public libraries and […]
Roanoke apartments sell for $2.3M
The West End Flats apartments in Roanoke has sold for $2.3 million, Roanoke-based Waldvogel Commercial Properties Inc. announced Monday. The apartment complex includes 24 one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments and A Few Old Goats microbrewery, which is located at 515 8th St. SW. The transaction closed on April 10. The property[...]
Carilion Clinic furloughs workers, reduces hours
With its regular ambulatory and inpatient care declining by 40% to 70% during the COVID-19 crisis, Roanoke-based Carilion Clinic announced Tuesday it is furloughing employees to reduce expenses. It follows similar measures taken by other health care systems operating in Virginia including Bon Secours Mercy Health and Ballad Health. The number of employees who will be […]
Student housing community to be built near Virginia Tech
A 517,000-square-foot student housing community will be built near Virginia Tech, New York City-based Eyzenberg & Co. announced Thursday. Financial terms of the development have not been disclosed. Charleston, South Carolina-based real estate developer Greystar will develop the 424-unit property on a 11.5-acre lot at 100[...]
Radford University off-campus apartments sell for $36.1M
More than 200 apartment units near Radford University sold for $36.1 million, Richmond-based real estate company One South Commercial announced this week. The buildings bought by Highland Apts I LLC, a special-purpose entity (SPE) associated with Reston-based real estate investment firm Willow Creek Partners. Radford-based devel[...]
Roanoke construction company promotes senior VP
Roanoke-based construction company Branch Builds announced Tuesday it has promoted Cathy Underwood to senior vice president and regional business unit leader. Underwood was most recently vice president at the company, and in her new role she will pursue new business opportunities and manage the Roanoke and Charlotte, North Carol[...]
Virginia Tech names VP for student affairs
Frank Shushok Jr. has been named vice president for student affairs at Virginia Tech, the university announced Monday, and will officially begin on April 10. He has been the interim vice president since October, overseeing more than 3,000 faculty, staff and student employees in 20 departments. Student affairs also oversees dinin[...]
Roanoke city real estate made a rebound. What now?
The city of Roanoke’s real estate values increased by 4.74% last year, the biggest property value increase for the Star City since 2007. Commercial properties’ assessed value jumped by 4.55%. But with the U.S. stock market plummeting to 1987 record lows in March as the coronavirus pandemic disrupted life across the nation, m[...]