www.roanoke.org www.roanokeoutside.com www.roanokeentrepreneur.com www.blueridgemarathon.

com Follow us on twitteR @Roanoke_region @Roanoke_outside @Roanokepreneurs @BRM26pt2 @Get2Knownoke

111 Franklin Plaza, Suite 333 Roanoke, VA 24011 540-343-1550 www.roanoke.org info@roanoke.org

2011 AnnuAl RepoRt

2011 AnnuAl RepoRt

2011 AnnuAl RepoRt

seRVinG sMAll Business: RoAnoKeentRepReneuR.coM new initiAtiVes

Roanokeentrepreneur.com, the Roanoke Regional Partnerships new website in 2011, is a hub of resources for start-ups and small businesses alike. And just one more way the Partnership is working to attract people, money, and ideas to the Roanoke Region. The site links you to resources for business counseling, market data, funding, and business services. It also has links to the legal requirements of forming a business such as licenses, permits, and taxes. Educational resources also provide information on business plans, human resources, organizational structure, exporting, and marketing. There has always been help available on starting a business, said Beth Doughty, executive director of the Roanoke Regional Partnership. You just had to spend a lot of time finding it. The Partnership built a rollout program of publicity, education, and search engine marketing that helped 8,278 people find and use the website in its first eight months.

stuDY sHows ReGion poiseD FoR GRowtH in outDooR Businesses

The Roanoke Regions numerous outdoor amenities provide a strong foundation for growth in outdoor-related businesses according to a 2011 report (http://bit.ly/xaqgIr) comparing the area to other regions known for their outdoor lifestyle. The study found that the region ranked highly in concentration of greenway trails, public recreational land, square footage of lakes, and other assets, setting the stage for growth in outdoor businesses looking to grow around hiking, biking, paddling, and other activities. The benchmarking study includes Asheville, NC, Greenville, SC, Boulder, CO, Chattanooga, TN, and Portland, ME. The results show Roanoke on par with Asheville, Boulder, and Chattanooga, with Portland ranking the highest. While the Roanoke Regions outdoor amenities ranked high, the study found opportunities for entrepreneurs and existing outdoor businesses looking to capitalize on its growing outdoor brand. This information is valuable in recruiting in the outdoor industry sector.

new initiAtiVes

new KiosK AnotHeR wAY to BuilD outDooR BRAnD

A new interactive, touch-screen kiosk is showing up around town featuring dynamic information about the regions outdoor recreation opportunities, whether on land, on water, or with a guided trip. The kiosk has been at Roanoke Regional Airport and at The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center as part of the Roanoke Regional Partnerships campaign to remind visitors and residents alike that the regions greatest assets are found right outside the window. The state-of-the-art kiosk provides information about getting outdoors, including ideas for hiking, camping, mountain and road biking, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, tours, trips, and more. One of the features enables travelers to e-mail information to plan their next adventure.

ReelinG eM in
An eco-friendly bass fishing tournament that features human-powered boats and catch-and-release practices stopped in the Roanoke Region, giving anglers a chance to explore the areas lakes and rivers. The Roanoke Regional Partnership worked with local governments to lure the national 2011 River Bassin Tournament Trail. The trail stopped at 15 locations across the United States before its finale on September 10 including a celebratory wrap-up event at Roanoke Countys Green Ridge Recreation Center. Anglers tested Smith Mountain Lake, Claytor Lake, Lake Philpott, Carvins Cove, Lake Moomaw, The James River, New River, and others.

2011 AnnuAl RepoRt

2011 AnnuAl RepoRt

pRettY cool to see tHis HAppeninG HeRe new initiAtiVes

The Roanoke Outdoor Circus was a really big show. Showing off Roanokes incredible natural assets and connecting people with the outdoors is one of our primary goals, said Paul Chapman of Roanoke Parks & Recreation, which worked with the Roanoke Regional Partnership on the event. Approximately 5,000 people attended the event and were treated to exhibits, demos, and clinics that promoted a variety of outdoor experiences from climbing and biking to sustainable living and fly tying. A highlight of the weekend was the Gear Junkie Treasure Hunt. At one point I was sitting on the grass, listening to a local band with Ghana roots, sipping a beer, said Stratton Delaney of Roanoke. I looked around and saw kids on the climbing wall, people learning to cast a fly rod, tons of people riding bikes, about 300 people watching the bike trials show, and another 100 watching the slackline pros. It was pretty cool to see this happening here in Roanoke.

Do You Get2KnownoKe?
A 2008 poll by Gallup and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation established a correlation between high levels of community engagement and strong economic activity in cities. This is the reason behind Get2KnowNoke, a new initiative of the Roanoke Regional Partnership. In its first year, Get2KnowNoke claimed 7,000 Facebook fans and is on the cusp of expanding to its own web address in 2012. G2K is a simple way to connect people who want to enjoy the kind of events frequently held in the Roanoke Region. Restaurant promotions, music, festivals, and special events are posted to Facebook and tweeted out to followers. Get2KnowNokes first Snuggie Bar Crawl in 2011 drew 200 people and a Kentucky Derby party with 300 attendees raised $1,500 for charity. G2K is for everyone but popular with young professionals expanding their social network and learning more about their community. It is one more example of how the Roanoke Regional Partnership is branching out with new strategies of economic development marketing.

new initiAtiVes

pARtneRsHip wins AwARDs

The Roanoke Regional Partnership has been recognized for its efforts in innovative programs for job creation. The Partnership received the Golden Star Award from the Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau at its annual meeting and luncheon in 2011. The Partnership was named Small Business of the Year in the Not-For-Profit Arts & Culture category at the 25th Annual Small Business Awards sponsored by the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce.

200
people

G2K

facebook fans

7,000

attended the snuggie bar crawl

kentucky derby party

300
raised for charity

attendees

$1,500

2011 AnnuAl RepoRt

2011 AnnuAl RepoRt

Asset DeVelopMent

The Roanoke Regional Partnership travels to trade shows with handfuls of Croakies emblazoned with the question Wherethehellisroanoke.com. No less an authority than the Outdoor Industry Association, the premier trade association for companies in the active outdoor recreation business, noticed and lauded the Roanoke Regions focus on asset development in an October blog post: When it comes to replacing thousands of manufacturing jobs, small- and medium-sized cities across the Southeastern United States are turning to the one asset that cant be shut down and sent overseas their rivers, mountains, and woods. Across the region, todays economic development officials are as likely to catalog mountain biking trails, bike lanes, and riverfronts as they are square feet of available warehouse and industrial space and proximity to interstates and UPS hubs. In the age of broadband connections and overnight delivery, second- and third-tier U.S. cities are learning one of the best ways to lure employers is to offer a high quality of life, which often means providing a broad array of close-tohome outdoor recreational offerings . . . Meanwhile, back in Roanoke, [Pete] Eshelman recently helped land one of the regions first outdoor industry development projects. On October 11, Backcountry.com announced it would build its east coast distribution center in Christiansburg, VA. Backcountry.com chose the location primarily because the nearby UPS hub in Roanoke can take its packages up to midnight for next day shipping to most east coast markets, said Jeff Carter, vice president of fulfillment at Backcountry.com. But the abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities in the region did not hurt. It was a pleasant surprise, said Carter. As soon as I stepped off the plane, it felt like a good fit. Eshelman says outdoor recreation recently helped the Roanoke Region retain one of its larger IT companies and has kept it in the running on another project where the company has narrowed its search from 200 to just two communities. We are still in the running because of our outdoor recreation options, said Eshelman. In other words, it seems more and more people know where the hell Roanoke is now. outdoorindustry.org, october 2011

RAce luRes DollARs

The second annual National College Blue Ridge Marathon and half marathon on April 16 made a lasting impact on runners and the economy. The 1,069 registered runners created an economic impact of $339,079, according to a post-race survey and the IMPLAN software. Outdoor-oriented events have tangible economic benefits, says Pete Eshelman, director of outdoor branding for the Roanoke Regional Partnership. Its particularly impressive when you consider the figures focus only on those race participants classified as visitors to the region. This doesnt include money that local runners, 325 local volunteers, or the more than 1,000 spectators likely spent the day of the events. Runners represented 39 states, with 83 percent from the southeastern United States. There was an increase in the proportion of participants traveling more than 200 miles to the event, Eshelman says.

Asset DeVelopMent

2010 2011 Marathon econoMic iMpact:

$685,779

RADicAl Reels inspiRes outDooR entHusiAsts

The Jefferson Center isnt necessarily where you would expect to find mountain bikers, snowboarders, skiers, and rock climbers. But on September 14, approximately 450 outdoor enthusiasts filled the Jefferson Center for the 2011 tour of the Banff Radical Reels Film Festival and the Roanoke Regional Outdoor Expo. This was the third year for the festival in Roanoke and the first time free thanks to sponsors. Attendance rose approxiately 50 percent.

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2011 AnnuAl RepoRt

262

MeDiA scoRecARD ADDs up

Each year, the Roanoke Regional Partnership tells more people the good news about the Roanoke Region of Virginia. A pioneer in social media for economic development, the Partnership continues to use Twitter and Facebook to engage and inform. What was once a single website, www.roanoke.org, has grown to four sites and another under development all attracting 206,726 unique visitors in 2011. Weekly and quarterly electronic newsletters reach 9,725 subscribers with news from the region. Media features and other mentions of significance continue to grow and help raise the visibility of the Roanoke Region.

foreign direct investMent:

206 36

43 29

$23 million 863 $52 million

direct new Jobs: total new investMent:
RoAnoKe ReGion in tHe news
Camping World Bicycling Outdoor USA Outside Magazine Outdoor Magazine Kiplingers Wall Street Journal

AnnuAl ActiVitY

iMAGe BuilDinG

65

inquiries

2009

2010

2011

projects

2009

2010

2011

229 156 70 15

24 20

iMAGe BuilDinG scoResHeet

Media Features Media Mentions Best of lists Roanoke.org Visitors Roanokeoutside.com Visitors BlueRidgeMarathon.com Visitors Roanokeentrepreneur.com Visitors newsletter subscribers Facebook Fans twitter Followers tweets

2008
5 n/a n/a 9,500 0 0 0 0 220 0 0

2009
20 n/a 10 56,656 4,661 0 0 0 2,211 1,819 0

2010
16 11 13 67,666 46,254 0 4,789 5,283 3,424 1,086

2011
22 17 14 79,966 74,632 8,278 9,725 15,310 4,822 1,670

information Requests

2009

2010

2011

prospects

2009

2010

2011

$52

863

increase in announced Jobs (2010-2011):

49,026 43,850

+217%
$11.25 217 272

increase in announced investMents (2010-2011):

new investment (millions)

$4

2009

2010

2011

new Jobs

+362%
2011

2009

2010

2011 AnnuAl RepoRt

2011 AnnuAl RepoRt

canatal steel usA , Inc. made its U.S.

debut in Botetourt County. The Canadian company fabricates and installs steel beams for commercial, residential, institutional, and industrial building construction. Canatal Industries announced plans to invest over $1 million and generate up to 40 full-time jobs by 2011 with the potential to reach up to 100 full-time jobs by 2012. The jobs cover a wide range of expertise, from welders and fitters to office staff, estimators, and engineers.

cReAtinG JoBs

unitedHealthcare is expanding its Roanoke City operations center and strengthening the regions healthcare, insurance, and life science sectors. UnitedHealthcares expansion will create 125 new jobs, in customer care and sales functions of the insurers Medicare and retirement business.

Norfolk Southern Railway Company announced plans to acquire 1,500 new railcars from Freightcar America, inc. The order was met with celebration from FreightCar America whose recently downsized Roanoke location added 200 jobs.

solution Matrix, inc.

completed construction on its 25,000 squarefoot facility at the Franklin County Commerce Center. Solution Matrix, Inc., a leader in cold-therapy products, invested $2.25 million and will create 80 jobs within the next three years.

manufacturers of baked products, confectionary goods, dairy or meat products, nutritional supplements, and animal feed.

applications for global energy, healthcare, industrial, and defense industries.

cReAtinG JoBs

tReAD corporation,
a manufacturer of bulk handling equipment for the explosives industry, expanded operations in Botetourt Countys EastPark Commerce Center. TREADs plans called for investment of $5 million and the creation of 100 production jobs.

oRGAniZAtion canatal Blue tree systems laura lee Designs

JoBs cReAteD 160 5-8 1 25 *125 *200 *95 *33 *25 *35 *10 *100 *45 5-10

Millions $ inVesteD $2.5 n/A n/A $5 $7 n/A $15.6 $1 $7.5 $1.0 $1.0 $5 $5 $1.5

tYpe M o M M o M M M M o o M D s KeY O = Office M = Manufacturing D = Distribution S = Service

Arkay packaging corp expanded its

Botetourt County facility with a $7.5 million investment and 25 new jobs in press operations, quality control, finishing, and gluing. This is the companys third expansion since being recruited by the Roanoke Regional Partnership in 1996 and bringing the total number of employees here to 175.

2011 Business DeVelopMent ActiVities

outdoor Retailer winter Market VeDp lunch & learn industrial Asset Management council international Bio

contActs
31 42 23 12 11 44 10 58 11 5 30
7

Dynax America announced 95 new jobs and investment of more than $11 million as it expands to the former Johnson Controls building adjacent to its current location in EastPark Commerce Center in Botetourt County. Dynax, Japanese-owned, has been producing discs, plates, and assemblies for customers such as Ford, GM, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, and Toyota in its Botetourt plant since 1997.

Fctech unitedHealthcare Freightcar America Dynax Virginia Forge Arkay corvesta

Mercury Data exchange

Fctech, inc., a subsidiary of

Austrias NBG Holding, announced plans to establish a facility at Botetourt Center at Greenville. The company is investing $5 million in this U.S. subsidiary, which will create 25 high-tech, high-paying jobs. FCTech, Inc. manufactures and markets specialty optical fiber used in high-performance sensor

consultant Forum-new orleans international council of shopping centers Fancy Foods show outdoor Retailer summer Market upstate new York Marketing Mission outdoor industry Association Rendezvous corenet consultant Forum-Austin

Maxx performance cut

the ribbon in July at its new location in Roanoke. The company is creating 12-15 jobs and teaming up with Virginia Tech for research & development of microencapsulation/ encapsulation technologies used by

tread corp. American tire

Rare earth Adventures

*Expansion

2011 AnnuAl RepoRt

2010-11 Board of Directors
Stephen A. Bennett Dr. Nathaniel L. Bishop Kevin Boggess David A. Bowers Dr. Jennifer L. Braaten Gerald A. Burgess Angie Chewning Lewis Joseph B. Church Beth Doughty Byron R. Foley B. Clayton Goodman, III Nancy Oliver Gray Bradley E. Grose Teresa A. Hammond Richard E. Huff, II Debbie Kavitz David L. Kleppinger Christopher S. Lawrence Laurence Levy Billy W. Martin Michael C. Maxey Christopher P. Morrill Daniel C. Naff, Jr. G. Michael Pace, Jr. Dr. Robert H. Sandel Cynthia M. Shelor Dr. Charles W. Steger John R. Strutner Dr. Richard R. Teaff James M. Turner, Jr. Charles D. Wagner Joyce Waugh Neil Wilkin John B. Williamson, III Robert Ledger Jill Loope David Moorman Melinda Payne Joe Bandy and Son, Inc. Bank of America Bank of Botetourt BB&T BB&T Chaney Thomas bcs Communications, LLC Berglund Automotive Blue Ridge Beverage Co., Inc. Boxley Branch Group, Inc., The Branch Management Corp. Breakell, Inc. General Contractors BrookeWood Management Advisors Brown, Edwards and Co. Budget Signs LLC Cabell Brand Center Carilion Clinic Carpetland USA Chas. Lunsford Sons & Assoc. Cherry, Bekaert, & Holland Coldwell Banker Townside Contracting Enterprises, Inc. Contractor Yard, The Corrugated Container Corp. Cox Crown Properties-Roanoke Davidsons Mens Clothing Dixon Hughes Goodman, LLP Dominion Virginia Power Draper Aden Associates Dynax America Corp. Eastern Motor Inns, Inc. ECS Mid Atlantic, LLC Elan Financial Group Elk Hill Advisors Davis H. Elliot Co., Inc. Entre Computer Center Express Employment Professionals F&S Building Innovations, Inc. Fast Signs Ferrum College Finks Jewelers, Inc. First Citizens Bank First Team Auto Mall Foti, Flynn, Lowen and Co. Foundation for Roanoke Valley Fralin and Waldron, Inc. Fralin Companies, The Frith, Anderson & Peake, PC FSBO Publishing, Inc. G. J. Hopkins, Inc. Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore Glenn, Feldmann, Darby & Goodlatte Graham-White Manufacturing Co. Grand Home Furnishings Greater Roanoke Valley Development Foundation Group One Sales Promotion H&E Equipment Services (Mid-Atlantic), Inc. Hall Associates, Inc. Hamlar Enterprises, LLC Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home, Inc. N B Handy Co. Harris Office Furniture Co.

2011 AnnuAl RepoRt

HHHunt Corp. Hollins University HomeTown Bank Honeytree Early Learning Centers Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, The IES Commercial, Inc. Integrated Textile Solutions Intricate Metal Forming Co. ITT Industries Night Vision Jarrett Electric Co., Inc. JBL Consulting Jefferson Center Foundation John T. Morgan Roofing & Sheet Metal Co., Inc. Keltech, Inc. KPMG LLP Kroger Mid Atlantic L&M Properties, LLC Lamar Advertising Landmark Aviation Lanford Brothers Co., Inc. H. L. Lawson and Son, Inc. LeClairRyan Lewis-Gale Medical Center Lionberger Construction Co. LiteSteel Technologies Long & Foster Lumos Networks Corp. Lumsden Associates, PC Magic City Ford Lincoln Main Street Newspapers Martin Travel, Inc. McAirlaids

2010-11 officers
John B. Williamson, III President G. Michael Pace, Jr. Vice President Christopher S. Lawrence Secretary Kevin Boggess Treasurer

inVestoRs public sector

Alleghany County Botetourt County Franklin County Roanoke County City of Roanoke City of Salem Town of Vinton

inVestoRs iMAGe BuilDinG

leADeRsHip

staff
Lee Crawford Social Media and On-line Marketing Beth Doughty Executive Director Pete Eshelman Director of Outdoor Branding John Hull Director of Research Lisa Link Director of Operations and Investor Relations Ann Blair Miller Business Development Manager

private sector
Access Adams Construction Co Advance Auto Parts, Inc. AECOM Alexanders Allstate Insurance Co Altec Industries Anderson & Reed, CPAs Anderson and Associates, Inc. Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Appalachian Power Co. Associated Asphalt, Inc. Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group Avis Construction Co. Balzer and Associates, Inc.

Developers committee
Michael Burnette Consuella Caudill David Kleppinger

2011 AnnuAl RepoRt

MeadWestvaco Corp. Medical Facilities of America Member One Federal Credit Union E.J. Miller Construction Co., Inc. Miller, Long & Associates, Inc. MKB, Realtors Moss and Rocovich, Attorneys-at-Law, PC Neathawk Dubuque & Packett Newschannel 10, WSLS John C. Nordt Co., Inc. Norfolk Southern Corp. Novozymes Biologicals, Inc. OConnor Group John M. Oakey, Inc. Old Dominion Electric Cooperative Optical Cable Corp. Orvis Co., Inc., The E. C. Pace Co. Petroleum Marketers, Inc. Plastics One, Inc. Poe & Cronk Real Estate Group, Inc Premier Transfer and Storage Quality Coffee Co./H&C Re/Max All Points REALTORS RE/MAX All Stars Redwood Fuel Oil & Propane Resort Choices Reynolds Siding, Inc. RGC Resources, Inc. Rice Management Co. Richfield Retirement Community Roanoke Cement Co. Roanoke College Roanoke Regional Airport Commission Roanoke Regional Home Builders Association Roanoke Symphony Orchestra Roanoke Times, The Roanoke Valley Association of Realtors Roanoke Valley Development Corp. Rockydale Quarries Corp. Rutherfoord Salem Ready Mix Concrete Inc. L.H. Sawyer Paving Co., Inc. Scott Insurance Shockey Companies, The P.A. Short Distributing Co., Inc. Sisson & Ryan, Inc. Skanska USA Building, Inc. Smith & Associates Source4 Spectrum Design, PC Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC Steel Dynamics, Inc. StellarOne Structures Design/Build, LLC SunTrust Bank Surfaces, Inc. Synchrony, Inc. The Becher Agency (tba) Thomas Brothers Excavating Thompson Masonry Contractor, Inc Timmons Group Trane Trinity Wealth Management Group JM Turner and Co., Inc. U S Foodservice Ukrops Super Markets Valley Bank Verizon Virginia Tech Foundation, Inc. Virginia Truck Center, Inc. Virginia Western Community College VisionPoint Systems, Inc. Waldvogel Commercial Properties, Inc. Walters Printing & Manufacturing Co. Mike Warner WDBJ-7 Wells Fargo Wendys of Western Virginia, Inc. Western Virginia Water Authority Donald L. Wetherington, PLC WFXR/WWCW - FOX 21/27 and CW5 Wingate & Associates, Ltd. Woods Rogers, PLC Wurth RevCar Fasteners, Inc. xpedx

2011 AnnuAl RepoRt

increase in overall activity

+14%
increase in unique web visitors

unique visitors to partnership websites

inVestoRs

206,726
newsletter subscribers

pRoMotion

+26%
increase in facebook fans

+26%
increase in twitter followers

9,725
contacts Made through Marketing activities

+91%

284