Business Services

The Roanoke County Department of Economic Development is committed to helping you succeed, whether you're considering opening a new business here or thinking of expanding your existing business.

Roanoke County offers a desirable combination of a low cost of living, high quality of life, a vast and capable labor force, top quality education, and affordable housing opportunities. In addition, the staff of the Roanoke County Department of Economic Development work hard to bring these benefits to businesses, new or existing.

Due to the commitment of the Department and the great appreciation of all that it has to offer, Roanoke County has become a prime location for businesses of all kinds - technological, medical, manufacturing, retail - earning the region the distinction by Southern Business and Development magazine as 10th in the nation in mid-sized and small markets for economic development and job creation.

Existing Business Program

The Department of Economic Development has launched a new Existing Business Program to serve the needs of Roanoke County's business community. Based on the Virginia Department of Business Assistance (VDBA) projection that 75% of the new growth in the Commonwealth is directly attributed to the existing business community, the Department seeks to provide opportunities for existing businesses to expand and operate successfully in the County. The program is focused on providing assistance to and increasing communication with its business membership. The creation of a formal Existing Business Program has been evolving since April, beginning with a survey that was distributed to 5,619 County businesses soliciting their input on a new program design.

The goal of the Existing Business Program is to enhance communication, to facilitate access to resources and related services, and to remain an interactive partner with the business community. In order to accomplish these objectives, the Existing Business Program has instituted three distinctive efforts to increase two-way communication with the business community:

• Creation of a new RVTV-Channel 3 television program entitled "Roanoke County Business Partners" which is filmed every quarter and features businesses that have received certifications, hired new employees, undergone building or equipment expansions, or celebrated significant achievements. Each program features 4-5 segments, which profile the individual business.
• Recognizing individual businesses for achievements with a Resolution from the Board of Supervisors and a formal presentation at the Board of Supervisors' meeting, which is broadcast, on the government access channel.
• Development of the Roanoke County Business Partners' e-Newsletter. This communication tool highlights new information on County businesses on a six to eight week schedule and links the reader to the economic development website for more in-depth articles, photos, and business updates.

The Existing Business Program also includes numerous outreach initiatives to serve and assist our business partners such as:

• Regular visits to County businesses on a rotation schedule or by request.
• Expediting business concerns on issues such as permitting, expansions, regulations, and zoning.
• Presentation of Certificates of Appreciation to businesses locating in Roanoke County and orientation to becoming part of the Existing Business community.
• Involvement in state and regional support agencies such as the Roanoke Valley Economic Development Partnership, the New Century Venture Center, the Virginia Department of Business Assistance, the Roanoke Regional Small Business Development Center, and the Western Virginia Workforce Development Board, to provide better information and referrals to our businesses seeking assistance.

Business Resources

The Commonwealth of Virginia offers many opportunities for new businesses to receive counseling, technical assistance, training support and much more. Resources are also available through the County of Roanoke and various national and international private business services groups. More information is available on these resources by contacting the Roanoke County Department of Economic Development.

Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

The Virginia Small Business Development Center (www.dba.state.va.us/smdev) represents the most extensive business development program in the Commonwealth. The purpose of this network is to make business management counseling, information resources, technical assistance, and training more readily available to those small businesses that often don't know where or how to access such help. The Virginia Small Business Development Center provides high-quality, in-depth business counseling and training services to help grow and strengthen Virginia's businesses. The information, management counseling, and technical assistance services of the VSBDC professional staff are provided at no charge. A nominal fee may be charged for training workshops.

The VSBDC offers:
• Business planning
• Marketing assistance
• Preliminary export assistance
• Women's Business Enterprise certification
• Economic and business data
• Business resource library
• Assistance in researching and approaching business financing sources
• Financing through the SBA Pre-Qualification Loan Program
• Site location analysis
• Licensing and regulation information
• Cash flow and tax counseling
• Specialized training workshops

For more information contact the Roanoke Regional Small Business Development Center at (540) 983-0717  or  http://www.rrsbdc.org/

Virginia Department of Business Assistance (VDBA)

The Mission of the Department of Business Assistance (http://www.dba.state.va.us/) is to strengthen Virginia's economy by serving as state government's principal point of communication with Virginia businesses in order to provide access to resources that maximize the potential for their success.

The agency carries out its mission through its programs and services, which include:
• access to capital
• small business counseling
• workforce training
• pro-active business problem-solving
• Workforce Services Program

This program is administered by the Virginia Department of Business Assistance and offers consulting and training assistance for new and expanding industries throughout Virginia. Qualifying criteria includes the creation of 25 or more jobs and a capital investment of at least $1 million within a one-year period.

Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology (CIT)

This state-chartered, non-profit corporation (http://www.cit.org/) is dedicated to building Virginia's future through technology. CIT's mission is to enhance Virginia's business competitiveness through technology innovation. With ten offices throughout the state, CIT provides access to technology expertise, expands Virginia's R&D and technology infrastructure and creates collaborative environments to advance Virginia's technology future. Available programs include:
• The Research Program assists businesses in developing new or improved products and processes by using the resources of Virginia's universities. CIT will arrange contact between the business and faculty members. If a research program results, CIT will pay 40-50% of the cost.
• The Manufacturing Action Program provides consulting services to small and medium-sized manufacturing firms seeking improved performance and competitiveness. A thorough, on-site engineering analysis is conducted at a reasonable cost and in a timely matter.
• The Technology Transfer Program serves to disseminate information about new and existing technologies to small and medium-sized businesses. Assistance varies from helping companies develop new products or services to improving general operations through the use of technology. Contact Gary Atkinson, at (540) 857-7304.
• Virginia's A.L. Philpott Manufacturing Extension Partnership (VPMEP)
• This statewide organization (www.vpmep.org/) provides technical assistance at a reduced cost to the Commonwealth's small- and medium-sized manufacturers on issues ranging from improving production technologies to workforce development. VPMEP is an affiliate of the National Institute of Standards and Technology's Manufacturing Extension Partnership, and a partner of the Center for Innovative Technology. Contact Roanoke office project managers Ken Wessel or James Tate at (540) 966-2059.

Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)

The SCORE Association (http://www.score.org/) is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration, and is dedicated to aiding in the formation, growth and success of small businesses nationwide. SCORE provides small business mentoring and advice on a full range of business topics. SCORE chapters exist in communities nationwide, or counseling can be obtained online.

SCORE is national, nonprofit association with 10,500 volunteer members and 389 chapters throughout the United States and its territories. Their services are offered as a community service at no fee.

Contact: Roanoke SCORE - Chapter 26
250 Franklin Road, Federal Building, Room 716
Roanoke, VA 24011
PHONE: (540) 857-2834 FAX: (540) 857-2043
EMAIL: scorerv@aol.com

MidAtlantic Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (MATAAC)

If your company is facing import competition, MATAAC's team of experienced professionals can recommend and implement strategies to strengthen your competitiveness. To qualify, businesses must manufacture or process a physical product and experience 1) a decline in dollar or unit sales of a major product line, 2) a decline or impending decline in employment, and 3) growing import competition. For further information, go to The MidAtlantic Trade Adjustment Assistance Center.