Onward New River Valley

Fermata Energy, with its Innovation Lab right here in Virginia’s New River Valley, has been recognized as an honoree in Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas Awards in the Sustainability category! ? This recognition reinforces how the NRV is a hub for cutting-edge research that’s transforming industries and shaping a more sustainable future. Congrats to #FermataEnergy for leading the way in innovation! ?? Read more ?? https://buff.ly/eS9VRiu #WorldChangingIdeas #Sustainability #Innovation #CleanEnergy #ANaturalFit

The Milken Institute recently ranked Virginia’s New River Valley among the top 25 best-performing small cities in the U.S. This ranking highlights the NRV’s strong economic performance and growth potential. Read more ?? https://lnkd.in/ewxWjHwM #ANaturalFit #NRV Floyd County Economic Development, VA Giles County, VA Montgomery County, VA Economic Development Department Pulaski County, Virginia Economic Development Authority RADFORD, CITY OF

Virginia Tech's Master of Information Technology (MIT) program ranks No. 4 nationally in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs. Virginia Tech continues to shape top-tier talent in the NRV. Congratulations! Read more ?? https://buff.ly/UbLIMST #GoHokies #NRV #TechTalent #ANaturalFit

?? Announcing the The Future of Talent Summit facilitarors of our Strategic Doing Session - they are experts in helping create action-oriented roadmaps and generating innovative solutions to complex problems. Meet the Facilitators: ?? Nancy Franklin | Principal and Co-Founder of Franklin Solutions ?? Tim Franklin | Principal and Co-Founder of Franklin Solutions What is Strategic Doing? It’s an interactive, fast-paced session designed to teach participants how to collaborate effectively, drive measurable outcomes, and adapt strategies in real time. In today’s rapidly changing world, these skills are essential for building stronger communities, organizations, and regions. Registration closes soon! ?? Secure your spot today: https://buff.ly/40BdExL ?? Ready to turn ideas into action? Let’s make an impact together! #FutureOfTalent #StrategicDoing #WorkforceInnovation

Onward NRV is hard at work showcasing the incredible opportunities in Virginia’s New River Valley. Our Executive Director, Katie Boswell, recently traveled to Atlanta with the Virginia’s I-81 Corridor Marketing Group to meet with top site selectors. Over two days, the team engaged with key decision-makers to highlight the strengths of the NRV and the entire I-81 Corridor. Read more about the trip ??

GO Virginia Region 2 has joined Project VITAL— a game-changing initiative to make Virginia a biotechnology hub! The NRV is poised to benefit from expanded research infrastructure, workforce development, and stronger connections between academia and industry that the project will provide. Read more?? https://buff.ly/41y6lIR #NRV #BiotechInnovation #EconomicGrowth #ANaturalFit

?? Meet the Employer Panelists for the 2025 Future of Talent Summit! We’re bringing together top industry leaders to share their real-world strategies for attracting, retaining, and developing top talent in GO Virginia Region 2. Introducing Our Employer Panelists: ?? Ashley Fiore | Chief Business Intelligence Officer of KlariVis ?? Teresa Penrose | Senior Human Resource Manager of Hollingsworth & Vose ?? Kyle Kinskie | Biomedical Engineer of CytoRecovery, Inc. ?? Jodi Estienne, SHRM-CP, FPC | Human Resources Manager of CBIZ ?? Kenna Smith, MBA | Talent Acquisition and Workforce Development Manager of Branch Builds These experts will dive into the biggest workforce challenges and share actionable insights you can take back to your organization. ?? Join us at Radford University’s Artis Center for Adaptive Innovation and Creativity for this can’t-miss discussion! ?? Secure your spot today: https://buff.ly/40BdExL

The Onward NRV team is out and about spreading their knowledge and expertise in a variety of different ways! Senior Director of Business Engagement Samantha Adkins Livesay had the privilege of showcasing one of Onward's newest programs, Elevate NRV, at the annual Women’s Economic Development Network Learn and Lead Forum. Read more here ??

The cost of living in Virginia's New River Valley is below the national average, according to the C2ER: Council for Community and Economic Research's Q4 2024 Cost of Living Index. The cost of living has actually decreased from 94.3 last year to 93.6, making the region even more affordable. This affordability is just one of the many reasons people choose to live, work, and do business in the NRV. Compare the cost of living in the NRV to your location ?? https://buff.ly/3ZBksdX #NRV #newrivervalley #NRVLiving #costofliving #costoflivingindex #anaturalfit

Onward NRV Executive Director Katie Boswell recently participated as a panelist for the Montgomery County Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s Eggs & Issues. The panel explored topics including the NRV’s recent economic growth, regional population challenges, federal funding concerns, and projections for the region’s economic future. Read more here ??