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The Roanoke Regional Partnership Announces Thrive 2027 Campaign Raises over $4 Million

Just three months after announcing the public phase of Thrive 2027, the Roanoke Regional Partnership is pleased to report that the campaign surpassed its $3.6 million fundraising goal. The bold, five-year economic development plan will bring more than $4 million dollars to accelerate the local economy and enhance the region’s competitiveness for business and talent attraction.

John Hull, executive director of Roanoke Regional Partnership, standing at podium with board members seated behind him

In total, Thrive 2027 raised $4,041,900, pledged over five years, to achieve four initiatives for the Roanoke Region: economic growth and innovation; talent attraction and workforce development; commercial real estate and infrastructure; and placemaking and livability. Success measurements for these initiatives are the creation of 3,000 new jobs, $350 million in capital investments, a 10-percent increase in population growth from in-migration, a 15-percent increase in per capita income, and a 300-percent increase in inventory of certified sites by 2027.

John Hull, executive director with the Roanoke Regional Partnership, said, “More than 122 businesses across all sectors representing the diverse geography of the Roanoke Region of Virginia have made the commitment to invest in future growth for our great region. The Roanoke Regional Partnership is well positioned to continue its long tradition of generating significant economic wins and building a strong, diverse economy. The economic progress that we have seen and will continue to enjoy is made possible by the leadership and investment of both the public and the private sectors working together.”

The fundraising announcement was made to investors on Thursday, May 11 at the Vinton War Memorial. “I am very encouraged, although not surprised, to see the business community showing pride in the current state of our region and optimism about the future. Their commitment, alongside our local municipalities’ continued support, will allow the Roanoke Regional Partnership to help lead the way for success in the next five years and beyond!” campaign co-chair and CFO of Carilion, Don Halliwill, said of the campaign’s success.

“With this strong demonstration of support, the Roanoke Regional Partnership is positioned to facilitate economic growth, talent development, real estate investment and improved livability for this region.” Paul Nester, campaign co-chair added.

Cathy Underwood, campaign co-chair, recognized the strong role collaboration and community pride played in Thrive 2027’s success. “A team of incredible community leaders, along with Partnership staff, has worked tirelessly over the last 10 months to achieve this success. It is always exciting to see a community come together and invest their time and financial support in something as important as this work.”

The Roanoke Regional Partnership, which includes eight municipalities and more than 120 businesses, has a long history of success with economic and community growth. Five years ago, the Partnership launched the Accelerate 2022 fundraising campaign; despite the fourth year of the campaign overlapping a pandemic, Accelerate 2022 was a success that is still delivering results today. Thrive 2027 will work to continue that momentum and keep the Roanoke Region growing with a commitment to entrepreneurship and innovation, greater regional coordination on employer talent needs, regional coordination on real estate and infrastructure needs, and attracting and retaining an increasingly diverse segment of people and businesses by expanding the region’s livability story.

The Partnership is grateful for the generosity of the Thrive 2027 investors and volunteers who contributed to the success of this campaign. For more information visit https://roanoke.org/thrive-2027-investing-in-our-future/

 Several men holding plants smiling at the camera in a conference room

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A. Duie Pyle to Open a Logistics Facility in the City of Roanoke

Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced that A. Duie Pyle (Pyle), a premier provider of asset and non-asset-based supply chain solutions, will establish three cross-dock service centers in the Cities of Manassas, Richmond and Roanoke, creating a total of 75 new jobs in the Commonwealth.

  • Pyle’s Manassas facility located at 10461 Colonel Court will have 30 doors and create 30 new jobs.
  • The Richmond operation located at 3609 East Belt Boulevard will have 50 doors and create 25 new jobs.
  • The Roanoke facility at 3348 Salem Turnpike Northwest will have 16 doors and create 20 new jobs.

“Global supply chains are experiencing unprecedented pressure and we are pleased that A. Duie Pyle will take advantage of Virginia’s infrastructure and transportation network as a vital provider of supply chain solutions,” said Governor Youngkin. “Manassas, Richmond and Roanoke all offer key logistics assets, and we welcome Pyle’s new operations that will create a total of 75 jobs across the Commonwealth.”

“A. Duie Pyle’s new facilities will be a substantial addition to Virginia’s diverse logistics sector and bring valuable jobs and an economic boost to three cities,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. “Securing a project that spans several regions of the Commonwealth says a great deal about our strategic location, competitive operating costs and top-notch workforce, and we look forward to partnering with Pyle.” 

“With a long history of providing our customers throughout the Northeast with premier transportation and logistics services, expanding our footprint with three new facilities across the Commonwealth of Virginia has positioned us to directly reach key metropolitan areas along the Eastern Seaboard,” said Peter Latta, Chairman and CEO of A. Duie Pyle. “This strategic expansion enables us to improve shipping and schedules, while strengthening our overnight delivery capabilities to neighboring states. We are also excited about contributing to economic growth and creating new career opportunities in each of the three cities and to the great Commonwealth of Virginia overall.”

“The City of Roanoke appreciates A. Duie Pyle’s significant new investment in our city,” said Roanoke Mayor Sherman P. Lea, Sr. “For 98 years, this reputable, family-owned company has provided significant services in the transportation and logistics arena, and we welcome them to our great city. The new jobs created by this expansion demonstrate a continuing commitment by this company to the Commonwealth of Virginia and will be a great boost to the Roanoke economy.”

“I am excited to welcome A. Duie Pyle to the Roanoke Region,” said John Hull, Executive Director of the Roanoke Regional Partnership. “With a strategic location on the Interstate 81 corridor, the Roanoke Region is primed for investment from companies seeking a location with strong market access. Investment from A. Duie Pyle is both a testament and a complement to the region’s logistical advantages.”

“I am happy to welcome A. Duie Pyle to Roanoke, the Gateway to Southwest Virginia,” said Senator John Edwards. “Building a 21st-century supply chain is vital to the future economic success of our nation and our Commonwealth. The City of Roanoke has a long history as a transportation hub, connecting the Northeast Corridor to points south and west, and investments such as this show the future will run through Roanoke as well.”

 “We are excited to welcome A. Duie Pyle, a supply chain solutions company, to the Roanoke Valley,” said Delegate Sam Rasoul. “As our economy grows in the coming months, these jobs come at a good time to uplift workers. I look forward to seeing the employees flourish in Roanoke with good-paying and well-benefited jobs.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Manassas, the City of Richmond, the City of Roanoke, the Greater Richmond Partnership, and the Roanoke Regional Partnership to secure the project for Virginia.

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Roanoke Regional Partnership Launches Thrive 2027, a Five-Year Strategy and Campaign

Following 2017-2021 results, the public-private partnership seeks new level of success with Thrive 2027.

ROANOKE, Va. (February 10, 2022) – The Roanoke Regional Partnership launched its new, forward-looking five-year fundraising campaign, Thrive 2027, at a kick-off event held virtually today. The Partnership’s plan focuses on innovation, site development, and workforce issues among other critical elements necessary to enhance our region’s competitiveness.

The 2027 plan builds on the current program of work, adopted in 2017, that took the region to a higher level, creating over the past five years 3,255 direct and indirect jobs, $527 million in new investments, new annual consumer expenditures of $197 million, and an increase in per-capita income by nearly 15 percent. All metrics met and most exceeded the benchmarks established in 2017, despite grappling with a global pandemic.

“Thanks to a decade of success leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Roanoke Region is positioned competitively. We emerge set to attract innovative businesses, supported by world-class talent, and continuing to build upon a growing sense of “place”, fueling economic vitality,” said campaign co-chair Don Halliwill, chief financial officer of Carilion Clinic. “Thrive 2027 will build upon our existing foundation of successful business community support with this strategic plan for growth.”

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Innovation Corridor Leadership Collaborates on Regional Branding

The Roanoke Regional Partnership collaborated with regional innovation leaders including staff from Carilion Clinic, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, and Roanoke Innovates on an opportunity to be featured in Area Development magazine and AreaDevelopment.com. The issue, released in December 2021, is focused on Innovation Corridors around the nation.

You can see a digital copy of the magazine, which is distributed in print nationally to 50,000 C-Suite level executives and consultants, by clicking here.

The target audience for the publication is site selectors, brokers, and development professionals who are the gatekeepers of the economic development world. Marketing staff from the participating organizations developed a regionally branded print ad (see graphic below), a series of digital ads, a custom landing page, and a plan to host an innovation leadership webinar designed to raise awareness of the work being done around life sciences, technology, advanced manufacturing regionwide.  

The webinar will feature Don Halliwill, chief financial officer at Carilion Clinic, Michael Friedlander, Ph.D., executive director of the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, and John Hull, the executive director of the Roanoke Regional Partnership. The webinar is scheduled for January 31, 2022, at 2 pm EST. Topics covered will include the region’s academic research strengths and what that means for developers, regional biotech spin-outs, and ways your company can benefit from Roanoke’s hub for innovation.

You can join the webinar for free by signing up here.

By showcasing our Innovation Corridor opportunities we hope to capitalize upon the interest generated by the campaign among site development consultants.