Roanoke Regional Partnership Names Stephanie Long as Director of Marketing

The Roanoke Regional Partnership welcomes Stephanie Long as its new director of marketing. She will lead the Partnership’s efforts in crafting the region’s story to show businesses and potential residents why they should call the Roanoke Region home.

“Stephanie is a skilled communicator and marketing professional who understands well the business and livability advantages that fuel the Roanoke Region’s economic success,” said John Hull, executive director of the Roanoke Regional Partnership. “The region will be well-served by Stephanie’s creativity and her passion for making an impact on our region.”

As director of marketing, she will implement the marketing strategies prescribed in the Partnership’s five-year plan, Thrive 2027. Long will design fresh new marketing initiatives to raise the profile of the region when it comes to innovation and economic growth. Additionally, she will work with Roanoke Outside to foster the growth of the regional outdoor economy, while also helping to develop the talent attraction and retention brand Get2KnowNoke.  

Long comes to the Partnership with several years of marketing experience, most recently serving as the marketing coordinator with Roanoke Parks and Recreation (PLAY Roanoke) where she connected residents with their public spaces and one another while advocating for strong social infrastructure. Her role included managing their social media channels, coordinating design and printing of the quarterly PLAY Magazine, creating and placing print and digital collateral, managing PlayRoanoke.com, and more. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in English Education, both from Virginia Tech.

Long herself is a boomerang, making her uniquely positioned to tell the region’s narrative. “Roanoke’s story, positive momentum, and potential are what brought me back here from Charlotte eight years ago. Since then, it’s been my personal and professional mission to make people love it here as much as I do. I’ve spent the past several years telling the City of Roanoke’s story, and now I look forward to doing so on a regional scale.”

Long’s love of the region extends beyond her professional endeavors. She currently serves as the programs chair for American Advertising Federation (AAF) Roanoke where she works to bring relevant educational programs to creatives in the region. She also served as the vice president of the Square Society and is a graduate of Leadership Roanoke Valley.

Contact Stephanie: 540-655-9362 | stephanie@roanoke.org | LinkedIn

Lowe’s Distribution Center Brings 70 Jobs and $11 Million Investment to Roanoke County

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. announced recently their plans to build an $11 million distribution center in Roanoke County. The new warehouse and distribution center is expected to generate 70 new jobs and contribute to the economic vitality of the county and the Roanoke Region.

The new warehouse and distribution site will position Lowe’s to more quickly and efficiently deliver products to consumers in the region as the 5G revolution takes hold and revolutionizes online commerce and delivery logistics. Lowe’s expects to fill the 70 jobs at the site from delivery drivers to warehouse staff.

“We’re on the cusp of great leaps in logistics and the delivery of consumer goods enabled by the roll-out of 5G and IOT technology,” says Jim Cherney, Founder and CEO of Cherney Development. “To realize the full benefits this provides, we need physical infrastructure in place and I’m proud to work with Samet Corporation and Roanoke County Economic Development who helped pave the way to make that possible right here in the Roanoke Valley.”

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Franklin, Botetourt, and Roanoke Counties Receive Industrial Site Development Funds

It’s a big day for industrial site development in the Roanoke Region of Virginia. The state announced $7 million in grants to develop industrial sites across the commonwealth. Three localities represented by the Roanoke Regional Partnership were selected for grant funding totaling $1.45 million in awards for the Roanoke Region.

Eldor Corp. building at Botetourt Center at Greenfield. A $75 million investment next door to Lot 3 which received the grant funds.
Aerial photo of Wood Haven Technology Park which is visible from I-81.

Sites that will receive funding include Botetourt Center at Greenfield in Botetourt County, Summit View Business Park in Franklin County, and Wood Haven Technology Park in Roanoke County.

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2021 Anthem GO Fest Was a Year of Firsts

This year’s Anthem GO Outside Festival was a year of firsts. The first time the event was hosted in downtown Roanoke, the first time a “Bourbon Street” style ABC license was awarded to the region, and the first time the BANFF Mountain Film Festival was held in Elmwood Park. 

While the event was not at full-scale due to lingering COVID effects preventing national brands from participating, the move downtown got great reviews from local businesses, vendors, and participants alike. Some of the activities of the past were missed, but the event planners intend to bring many of them back regardless of location in future, non-COVID years.

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