THE ROANOKE REGION OF VIRGINIA

Cory Donovan, Executive Director of NCTC, wrote an interesting Op-Ed for the Blue Ridge Business Journal describing the opportunities for high tech business and high tech jobs in the region.


I grew up in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Even before I started thinking about college and career, I always knew I’d wind up leaving my hometown because there just wasn’t much opportunity. Unless you really don’t get along with your family, I doubt most of us enjoy the prospect of moving away from our loved ones. But, we all do what we have to do, right? Had I grown up in today’s NewVa region, which includes Roanoke, Blacksburg, and surrounding counties, I would have had a lot more options. Our region is home to a budding community of fast-growing technology companies. Many have current job openings for software developers, hardware engineers, biotechnologists, research technicians, material scientists, as well as, supporting positions in human resources, marketing and accounting to name a few.However, finding those qualified professionals is a big challenge that could restrict the growth of those young technology companies. And it’s not just a challenge for this area – tech companies throughout the country are facing the same problem because there’s a shortage of workers in almost every technology field.

This presents an opportunity for us here in the NewVa region - a unique prospect that other regions in this country cannot offer. Our children can grow up here, get a quality education nearby, pursue exciting careers in advanced technologies, and be well compensated without having to make the difficult decision to move away.

The NewVa region is frequently recognized as a great place to raise a family, and enjoy a high quality of life - not to mention the spectacular outdoor amenities. The region also includes a strong base of successful entrepreneurs with a zealous commitment to the region’s future. Plus, there are six institutions of higher education, including Virginia Tech, which operates a research park home to over 100 companies.

Many of the growing tech companies in our area will be exhibiting at the NewVa Tech Expo on September 5th at the Roanoke Civic Center. So, if you have a son, daughter, cousin, other family member, or friend who moved away to pursue jobs elsewhere, please spread the word about the opportunity that exists here. Come out and learn more about the companies creating the economic growth that will employ the future generations in Southwest Virginia. For more information, please visit our website at www.TheTechnologyCouncil.com/TechExpo.

Cory Donovan
Executive Director
NewVa Corridor Technology Council