Virginiawineevent.com is having their annual traditional poll to choose THREE wineries to get named the Favorite Virginia Winery in 2009 award. What comes with it you say? Bragging rights, really big plaque and news coverage! Most importantly, BRAGGING RIGHTS! So, make sure you visit Virginiawineevent.com to cast your vote!

Comment below and let us know how you voted!

Global, customization and technology manufacturing are three core areas of manufacturing the Roanoke Region was recognized for By INDUSTRY WEEK.

Here are the three that were mentioned:

Global. In Roanoke, Australian steel manufacturer and distributor OneSteel Limited has opened a subsidiary called LiteSteel America that produces a cold-formed steel beam for use in residential and light commercial construction. The factory uses process equipment from Italy, Norway and Japan. LiteSteel says its beams are price-competitive but 40% lighter than hot rolled steel or engineered wood of the same spanning capacity.

Customization. Optical Cable Corp. (OCC) has built a $61 million business since 1983 by creating a wide range of fiber-optic cable products, which are known for being able to operate in harsh environments. President and CEO Neil Wilkin tells the story of how a mining customer in West Virginia ran heavy equipment over the cable and hung 400 pounds on it with no damage. In May 2008, OCC acquired SMP Data Communications, a move that added copper and fiber-optic connectivity products to its line and allowed it to become a solutions provider for the enterprise market.



Technology. GE Energy's Salem, Va., facility provides design and system engineering for power generation applications including wind, solar, gasification and nuclear facilities. GE produces 3,000 wind turbines per year. GE Salem is working on projects ranging from an integrated water desalination and power plant in Saudi Arabia to a Duke Energy coal gasification plant in Edwardsport, Ind. But while leading-edge technology is at the heart of this 700-plus-person plant, equally important is an adaptable workforce that has taken lean manufacturing to heart.

Check out more companies in the Region here or at Roanoke Region of Virginia

Nearly 250 projects across the state will be constructed thanks to Recovery Act funding

Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that more than $1 billion in American Restoration and Recovery Act funding has been allocated for infrastructure projects in Virginia.

The announcement included $2 million in funding for the Roanoke River Greenway. The money will be spent to connect the Tinker Creek and Roanoke River Greenways in the City of Roanoke and to complete sections of the Roanoke River Greenway around Salem’s Moyer Sports Complex.

"These projects are beginning at a time when we are facing a national economic crisis, and they are putting Virginians to work," Governor Kaine said. "The projects also will pay long-term dividends to all of us, in the form of improved bridges and highways, railways and other transit, sewage treatment and drinking water."


Roanoke Region of Virginia

Click here for the locality listing

The Roanoke Region was mentioned on CNNMoney.com.

Cave Spring is a slow-paced, family-oriented community adjacent to the city of Roanoke, a bustling industrial hub. Carillion Health Care, Advance Auto Parts, GE, Toshiba, and ITT have large operations in the area. Virginia Tech is less than an hour away, and several high-tech companies have a presence here too.


Before it hit the charts, Dave Matthews Band put in 200 hours of work -- on the q.t. -- at Salem's Flat 5 Press and Recording Co.

Rewind to 1993, and Dave Matthews Band was playing college fraternity parties, and had played the Barrel House in Salem (site of All Sports Cafe's Salem location). But the buzz was building, and by the end of the year, a major record label bidding war was on to sign the act, Ohmsen remembered.

He had just moved the studio out of his Salem home and into town -- "My wife told me to move it," he said, with a grin -- and the business was "limping along." He was also working at Stage Sound, where Matthews' group had been renting gear for shows.

Band manager Coran Capshaw asked Stage Sound owner Reid Henion about local studios. Capshaw wanted something relatively close to DMB's Charlottesville home base, but not so close that the band couldn't get any peace. Henion suggested Ohmsen.

The band came to hang out, liked the vibe and made plans to record. Ohmsen was sworn to secrecy.

"I agreed not to reveal they were here," he said. "I did get calls -- from the media, from girls."

The band came in for five days a week, two weeks out of each month. It spent the rest of the month playing shows. The arrangement worked like it often does for young bands.




Roanoke Region of Virginia

Thanks to Roanoke.com


– Governor Kaine highlights national ranking by U.S. News & World Report for Virginia's "favorable and innovative climate" for entrepreneurs –

Governor Timothy M. Kaine today highlighted Virginia's ranking among the "Five Best States to Start a Business." The recognition by U.S. News & World Report this week comes on the heels of the Commonwealth's sixth number one ranking for its pro-business environment.

"The latest accolades accorded the Commonwealth demonstrate that Virginia remains a power player among business-friendly states," said Governor Kaine. "As we work to get our economy back on track, it's great to be recognized for continuing to attract innovative businesses to Virginia."

"Virginia makes a great effort to assist in the establishment of small businesses with programs that streamline the startup process and connect entrepreneurs with resources," said Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Patrick Gottschalk. "Our business one stop electronic business formation system is continually growing in popularity with Virginia's entrepreneurs."


Roanoke Region of Virginia


 

Copyright 2006| Blogger Templates by GeckoandFly modified and converted to Blogger Beta by Blogcrowds.
No part of the content or the blog may be reproduced without prior written permission.