Chamber Events
In the News
The staff and board members of the Roanoke Regional Chamber write timely news articles, opinion/editorial columns, and informational columns. The following articles have recently been published written by and/or about the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Roanoke Regional Small Business Development Center.
Blue Ridge Business Journal - February 22, 2010
Is our region growing as it should?
Community leaders weigh in. [Read more...]
Blue Ridge Business Journal - February 8, 2010
Small business development groups shift focus from startup to survival
By Annie Johnson
Helping central and southwest Virginia business owners reorganize their plans. [Read more...]
Blue Ridge Business Journal - February 8, 2010
Q&A with Roanoke's SBDC director
By Annie Johnson
Wayne Flippen recently talked about the challenges of helping small businesses when financing is tight. [Read more...]
Coalition for Chemical Safety
Press Release - February 3, 2010
Coalition for Chemical Safety to Ensure Fair Reform in Virginia Chemical Industry
Federal reform needed to protect jobs, innovation in Commonwealth industry that employs more than 16,000. [Read more...]
Blue Ridge Business Journal - January 25, 2010
Lobbying still a focus in downturn
By Annie Johnson
Roanoke County spent four times as much money on Richmond lobbying efforts in 2009 than in 2008.. [Read more...]
The Roanoke Times - January 20, 2010
Business, other groups object to storm water utility proposal
By Mason Adams
Roanoke City Council voted to table to utility after complaints about hefty fees.. [Read more...]
Blue Ridge Business Journal - January 11, 2010
Localities set legislative priorities
By Annie Johnson
Groups across the state will be submitting sparse agendas for the upcoming General Assembly session. [Read more...]
Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce
Press Release - December 15, 2009
Robbins to Chair Roanoke Regional Chamber
The Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, Western Virginia's largest business organization, has elected officers and directors for 2010. Charles Robbins, Southwest Virginia Regional President of BB&T, has been elected chair. [Read more...]
WSLS 10- November 17, 2009
Inside Roanoke County's new Green Ridge Recreation Center
By Greg Moore
Roanoke County's new Green Ridge Recreation Center opened up for local business leaders Tuesday. [Read more...]
The Roanoke Times - November 18, 2009
Roanoke County offers glimpse of recreation center
By Neil Harvey
A supervisor discussed signs of county prosperity while also pointing to "serious belt tightening. [Read more...]
The Roanoke Times - November 10, 2009
New small-business Web tool unveiled
By Katelyn Polantz
Virginia entrepreneurs have accepted the commonwealth's help this year, and soon they'll have a revamped tool making it easier to start businesses. {Read more ...}
WSLS 10 - November 9, 2009
Reported by Angela Hatcher
Gov. Kaine promotes small business website benefits in Roanoke
Governor Tim Kaine promoted the benefits that a state website offers to small businesses, Monday morning in Roanoke. {Read more ...}
The Gov Monitor - November 9, 2009
Virginia Highlights Success of One Stop Project
15,000 entrepreneurs helped by the online business formation process, reflecting 8,587 new businesses formed. Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced that Virginia's Business One Stop, an online tool for entrepreneurs, has been utilized by more than 15,000 entrepreneurs to aid their business operations and create jobs. {Read more ...}
The Roanoke Times - October 2, 2009
Chamber honors senior care franchise
Home Instead Senior Care, which provides companionship, housekeeping and personal care to elderly clients in the Roanoke Valley, was honored Thursday as the Roanoke Regional Chamber' of Commerce's Small Business of the Year. [Read more...]
Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce
Press Release - October 1, 2009
"Home Instead Senior Care Named Region's Small Business of the Year"
The Roanoke Regional Chamber and Small Business Development Center has named Home Instead Senior Care the 2009 Small Business of the Year. [Read more...]
WDBJ7 - August 13, 2009
Roanoke Mayor proposes law school in the city
Reported by Joe Dashiell
City of Roanoke Mayor David Bowers' State of the City Address [Read more...]
The Roanoke Times - August 14, 2009
Bowers touts local law school
By Mason Adams
The Roanoke mayor likened the idea to themedical school currently being developed. [Read more...]
The Roanoke Times - August 1, 2009
Groups urge Roanoke not to kill amphitheater project
By Duncan Adams
The civic organizations say the council should continue to study the facility's benefits . [Read more...]
The Roanoke Times - June 3, 2009
Region's business leaders express cautious optimism
By Duncan Adams
The clinical psychologist's talk wrapped up the regional economic summit held Tuesday in Roanoke and, considering the event' sobering content, it seemed fitting to close the four-hour event with an address from an upbeat expert on human emotion. [Read more...]
Roanoke Regional Chamber Press Release - June 2, 2009
Chamber and Cool Cities Partner on Green Initiative
The Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce announced at its "Economic Summit VI: It's ALL About the Economy" that the Chamber is partnering with Roanoke Valley Cool Cities Coalition to launch a green initiative for its members. This is an outgrowth from the focus of last year's Economic Summit on sustainability. [Read more...]
Virginia Department of Health - State Health Commissioner Karen Remley, MD, MBA, FAAP
Letter to Members of Virginia's Business Community
May 4, 2009
Get up-to-date information on the outbreak of A H1N1 influenza. Letter explains steps the state and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have taken to counteract the epidemic. Websites offer detailed information, guidance and recommendations on a wide range of topics related to the H1N1 outbreak.
[Read more...]
U.S. Small Business Administration - Richmond District Office
Press Release - March 17, 2009
"Owner of Roanoke Firm Names SBA's Small Business Person of the Year for Virginia"
J. Douglas Call, president of Virginia Prosthetics, Inc. has been selected by the U.S. Small Business Administration as Virginia's 2009 Small Business Person of the Year, Ronald E. Bew, district director of the SBA's Richmond District Office announced today. [Read more...]
Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce
Press Release - March 2, 2009
"Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce Announces Staff Changes"
Lisa Link has been promoted to vice president of research and logistics and Tori Williams has been promoted to assistant vice president of public policy and administration. [Read more...]
The Roanoke Times - February 6, 2009
"Starting a new business takes planning"
By Duncan Adams, The Roanoke Times
But there is free advice available locally for people who want to try their hands at entrepreneurship. [Read more...]
Blue RIdge Business Journal - January 12, 2009
"Chamber Notebook: Best Practices for Managing a Business in Bad Economic Times"
By Todd Neese, Vice President of Operations, Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce
[Read more...]
The Roanoke Times - December 2, 2008
"Challenges present a turning point"
By W. Lee Wilhelm III, 2008 Chair of the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce
Future historians will look back at the year 2008 as a turning point in American history, but where this turn will take us is still to be determined. [Read here...]
Blue Ridge Business Journal - December 1, 2008
"Changing union legislation could hurt business"
By Joyce Waugh, President & CEO, Roanoke Regional Chamber
Why would we want to make tough times even tougher? The federal "Card Check" bill (HR 800), formerly called the "Employee Free Choice Act," is all about making it easier for unions to take hold and grow. [Read more...]
