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Carilion Clinic Recognized by Becker’s Hospital Review and U.S. News and World Report

The Roanoke Regional Partnership’s mission is to attract jobs, talent, and investment to the region; to be successful, we must craft a compelling sales proposition—having an award-winning hospitalExterior view of Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital network in the region is a pretty strong sales pitch. This month, Carilion Clinic received recognition from both U.S. News and World Report and Becker’s Hospital Review.

On August 1, U.S. News & World Report announced it had ranked Carilion Roanoke Memorial fourth in Virginia and “Best” in the region, while several community hospitals were recognized as high performers. According to their press release, “Being recognized as high-performing is the highest distinction a hospital can earn for a procedure and condition. It signifies that a specialty or procedure is in the top 10-20% nationally, noting excellent clinical outcomes, level of nursing care and patient experience.” Click here to read the full release.  

Less than two weeks later, Carilion Roanoke Memorial issued another press release where they received a second recognition in the Becker’s Hospital Review. “Becker’s included hospitals that were renowned for clinical excellence, patient safety, innovation efforts, research and education, patient satisfaction and more,” the release stated. Click here to read the full release.

Congratulations to Carilion Clinic on this deserving recognition! Their dedication to health and wellness extends beyond the people who walk through their doors—their work directly contributes to the region’s economic health. We’re incredibly fortunate to have them as a partner in the economic development world.

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Alleghany-Covington School Consolidation program wins Best Achievement Award

Last week, the Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) announced its 2023 VACo Achievement Award winners, and Alleghany-Covington School Consolidation program received this year’s Best Achievement Award. The Partnership is both excited for and proud of these localities for their exemplary collaborative work to solve regional issues and provide quality education to their young residents.

In case you couldn’t tell by our name, we’re really into partnerships around here. We firmly believe that more good work gets done by collaborating with others—Alleghany and Covington are living proof of that.

In the face of increasing economic challenges, the Alleghany County Board of Supervisors, Covington City Council, the Covington City School Board, and the Alleghany County School Board joined together to form the Joint School Services Committee (JSSC). This committee, formed in 2019, met regularly to draft a plan to merge the two school divisions. Since this is only the third merger in Virginia since 1982, they didn’t have many blueprints to work from, making the success of this project even more impressive. Weighing pros and cons, communicating with the community, and ensuring no employees would involuntarily lose their jobs or see less take-home pay, the Alleghany Highlands Public Schools was created in July 2022.

By combining local resources, officials found that they could offer more educational opportunities to students like career-technical education courses, work-based learning opportunities, better services for English language learners, improved athletic facilities, and expanded music programs—all while saving taxpayer dollars.

alleghany highlands virginia

Once again, congratulations to the Alleghany Highlands! The Roanoke Reginal Partnership is fortunate to work with both localities regularly to attract jobs, investment, and new residents to the region. One of the most useful tools in our economic development toolbox is our region’s commitment to collaborations and partnerships. Prospects and site consultants are always impressed with the localities’ ability to work together and for one another—it’s an attractive pitch that has served us well for many years, and here it is in action once again. Their accomplishment is no small feat, and we are glad VACo recognized that.

To read the full release with a list of all award recipients and their submissions, click here.

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Investor Spotlight: Brown Edwards

Investor spotlightBrown Edwards offers knowledgeable accounting, assurance, tax, and management advisory services. With a firm-wide staff of more than 400 professionals, our accounting firm is one of the largest, independent CPA firms in the VA/WV/TN region. We support individuals and businesses ranging from small companies to large corporations. 

How is the Roanoke Region important to your business?

The Roanoke Region, home to our headquarters, has enabled us to grow into a Top 100 Accounting and Advisory firm. The region provides convenient access to other Brown Edwards offices and clients throughout our three-state footprint, offers advantages associated with a lower cost of living; offers a high quality of talent attraction from nearby colleges and universities, and provides an overall positive quality of life.

Why has your company invested in the Roanoke Regional Partnership?

The Partnership is a prime example of how regional cooperation benefits everyone in our area. Recruiting new companies and serving the expansion of existing ones benefits everyone from the employee to the company to the local governments. Brown Edwards appreciates the partnership’s efforts to affect the growth our region needs to ensure future success.

Company information:

  • Corporate Leadership: Jason A. Hartman, CPA (Partner, CEO) and John Aldridge, CPA (Partner, Area Coordinator)
  • www.becpas.com
  • 540-345-0936
  • Follow Brown Edwards on social media: Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn

Click here for our full list of investors by industry.

Interested in becoming an investor? Click here to learn more.

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New Professional Development Program, Onboard|ROA, Already a Hit

Onboard|ROA, Get2KnowNoke’s (G2KN) professional development/social onboarding program, kicked off in early June with a total of 32 registered participants from diverse backgrounds. This new program is the reimagining of G2KN’s Summer Internship Program which was limited to just regional interns. Onboard|ROA participants include a mix of remote workers, student interns, and young professionals hailing from several localities and employers throughout the Roanoke Region. The program’s inclusive nature has attracted individuals aged 18 to 25 who are seeking career growth opportunities and a chance to connect with like-minded individuals and the region itself.

“Being a Roanoke native with a diverse background, I had always believed in my capabilities. However, I recognized that there were still skills and knowledge I needed to develop further.”

Will Hobbs, current Onboard participant

Over the first four weeks of the program, participants have engaged in a range of activities designed to foster professional development and community integration. They have delved into NACE Career Readiness Competencies Courses focusing on communication and networking as well as equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace. Participants can still look forward to critical thinking and problem-solving, technology talks, and career development sessions.

Of course, Onboard’s social outings are also integral to the program’s success. Intentional socials have provided a platform for participants to meet and forge connections, ensuring a supportive network is built from the onset. Exciting excursions have also been arranged, enabling participants to explore the region’s outdoor wonders and experience local entertainment, instilling a sense of pride and attachment to the vibrant community. Thus far, participants have enjoyed a professional networking happy hour (atop Mill Mountain with a live DJ!), lunch at Billy’s Downtown, and a zipline excursion at Explore Park’s TreeTop Quest. Studies show time and again that social connections are what make a region “sticky” and encourage people to put down roots in a community. In turn, we’re hoping to create more residents and regional ambassadors to spread the word about what makes this community special.

“Onboard|ROA has allowed me to meet other amazing young professionals and soon-to-be college graduates while doing new and fun things around the area that I can take my family to when they come to town! Also, in just the few sessions we’ve had so far, I feel my professional skills have already improved in terms of networking with new people and communicating more effectively with my coworkers.”

Victor Rosada, Digital Marketer with LeadPoint Digital

“Our tactic with this program is to create relationships with college graduates and young professionals interested in working in the Roanoke Region. Early connections are an essential part of establishing the talent pipeline, and we hope Onboard will encourage employers to take a more proactive role in our region’s talent attraction strategy,” says Julia Boas, director of talent strategies for the Roanoke Regional Partnership. “Our long-term goal is to have all major employers offering opportunities for interns and entry-level graduates, which is currently an area of weakness for our region. If we can provide potential residents with opportunities upon graduation, it will have a meaningful impact in relation to in-migration numbers and more young people choosing to stay.”

The value of Onboard|ROA to the community has been evident as it strengthens the region’s workforce, cultivates a sense of belonging, and promotes engagement with local businesses. The 32 participants are not only developing core career soft skills but are also building relationships that may extend beyond the program’s duration. By bridging the gap among young professionals, interns, remote workers, and employers, Onboard|ROA is laying the foundation for a thriving, interconnected professional community in the Roanoke Region. To learn more about the program, please contact Julia Boas and follow Get2KnowNoke on Facebook and Instagram!