Families and Individuals locate and prosper here because of its:

  • Central location, along I-81 and between I-77 and I-64, puts you within a day's drive of two-thirds of the U.S. population.

  • Electricity costs are among the lowest in the U.S.
  • Cost of living is substantially below the national average.
  • Labor pool of more than 325,000 people gives you an ample supply of award-winning, productive workers.
  • One of Expansion Management's 5-Star Communities.
  • One of the 10 Hottest Cities for Selling in the U.S. (S&MM).
  • One of the 10 best places in the U.S. to raise a family (Parenting).
    Western Virginia's only jet airport.
  • In a right-to-work state, only 2 1/2 percent of the valley's manufacturing work force is unionized.

  • Expansion Management magazine ranked Roanoke County among the top 50 US metro areas for growth in European-based businesses.

  • Expansion Management also names the Roanoke Valley one of its Five-Star Communities for expanding and locating companies, based on low crime rates, affordable housing, low costs of living, good schools, and easy access

  • Inc. Magazine has named the Roanoke Valley one of the top 100 U.S. hot spots for business development

  • Southern Business and Development Magazine ranked Roanoke 10th in the nation in mid-sized and small markets for economic development/job creation.

  • Sales & Marketing Magazine named Roanoke one of the top 20 hottest cities for selling

  • The U.S. Department of Education has recognized Roanoke Valley schools for being among the nation's best.

  • Center in the Square, home of multiple arts organizations, has received national and international awards for excellence.

 

Why The Roanoke Area?

We're a business friendly region targeting manufacturers of transportation-related equipment, fiber optics and related electronics, food processing, plastics, and other industries. The Roanoke Valley has received national recognition for its education, quality of life and business environment. That may be why you will find such industry leaders as General Electric, ITT, Advance Auto, Norfolk Southern, Allstate Insurance, Yokohama Tire, Kroger Company, R.R. Donnelley & Sons and Johnson & Johnson located here benefiting from a business climate engineered to support productivity and profitability. Public schools provide a foundation for a skilled work force with apprenticeships, technical programs, and schools that emphasize advanced technology.

The region offers prime real estate, low costs, a strong labor pool, low crime, arts and culture, outstanding outdoor recreation, professional and college sports teams, and a central location that is easily accessible by Interstates 81, 64, and 77 and by jet to Roanoke Regional Airport.

According to the 2000 census, More than 235,000 people live in the city of Roanoke Valley. It is the largest metropolitan area in western Virginia and serves as the commercial, medical, cultural, and retail center for a population of more than 1,000,000.

Since 1983, the Roanoke Valley has attracted more than 60 expansions and relocations. They represent more than 8,600 jobs and $541.8 million in investment. So far in 1999, Pharming Healthcare, Inc. of the Netherlands has announced plans to build two facilities in the region, a milk processing plant at Virginia Tech and a $17 million transgenic cattle facility in Craig Co. Koyo Steering Systems of USA has begun construction of a $38 million electric steering system plant and Innotech, a division of Johnson & Johnson has announced it will build a $125 million visions products plant. Maple Leaf Foods, First Citizens Bank, Levy Home Entertainment, Dynax America, York International, Tower Automotive, R.R. Donnelley & Sons, Transkrit, Fleetwood Homes, and Virginia Forge are some of the companies that selected the Roanoke Valley after extensive site searches.
*Source: Roanoke Valley Virginia Economic Development Partnership

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