Roanoke County is looking to lead the way on major economic development in Southwest Virginia.
The county will host an economic summit tonight aimed at getting towns, counties, and cities to work together to attract major businesses to the area.
Around 145 representatives from more than half a dozen localities in Southwest Virginia will be in attendance.
Roanoke Co. Board of Supervisors Chairman Mike Altizer believes this is a good step toward becoming more competitive.
"The paradigm with how governments have governed on economic development has changed," he said. "If we don't change as a region and as a valley we're going to be left behind."
Altizer said the goal is to attract businesses with job openings in the hundreds.
The summit is tonight at six at Green Ridge Recreation Center in Roanoke Co.
All this week, WSLS 10 is taking you inside several unique destinations right here in our backyard. This time, we're going off the beaten path to a 500 acre outdoor playground in New Castle.
The Central Oklahoma Bronchos have come more than 1,100 miles to play for home. The Bronchos are one of eight teams in Salem to play for the 2013 NCAA Division II national championship in softball
It's been several months since filming on the movie "Wish You Well" wrapped up in Giles County. Now the film's producers say they're inching closer to a release date.
Thursday, May 23 2013 4:23 PM EDT2013-05-23 20:23:40 GMT
A Carroll County sheriff's deputy found a woman's body in Grayson County, sheriff Richard Vaughan is confirming. Vaughan, the sheriff of Grayson County, said he thought the body had been there for about
Neighbor found Desia Rae George's cell phone, which kicked off a search of the area where the phone was recovered
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:36 PM EDT2013-05-24 01:36:53 GMT
The Buena Vista Police Department is investigating a woman who was found dead in a home on Thursday.According to Lt. Chittum, a man has been taken into custody, and the case is still under investigation.No
According to Lt. Chittum, a man has been taken into custody, and the case is still under investigation.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:27 PM EDT2013-05-24 01:27:30 GMT
Lynchburg Police are investigating the shooting death of a woman.Officers were called just after noon to the 600 block of Perrymont Avenue for a shooting. When the officers arrived, they found a woman
Investigators identified the woman as 29-year-old Amy Connely Hewett, and classified her death as suspicious.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:56 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:56:24 GMT
All this week, WSLS 10 is taking you inside several unique destinations right here in our backyard. This time, we're going off the beaten path to a 500 acre outdoor playground in New Castle.Taking a break
All this week, WSLS 10 is taking you inside several unique destinations right here in our backyard. This time, we're going off the beaten path to a 500 acre outdoor playground in New Castle.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:05 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:05:38 GMT
WSLS is working together with Southwest Virginia relief organizations to collect supplies for victims of the EF-5 tornado that devastated Moore, Oklahoma.
List of local relief groups collecting tornado help for Oklahoma
Friday, May 24 2013 6:33 AM EDT2013-05-24 10:33:46 GMT
A Wind Advisory is in effect until 7 p.m. Friday for the Roanoke and New River Valleys. Wind gusts to 45 mph are possible. The stronger gusts will be at the higher elevations with slightly lower gusts
Windy conditions are expected today for the New River and Roanoke Valleys.
Friday, May 24 2013 7:08 AM EDT2013-05-24 11:08:14 GMT
Vendors at the Farmers Market in Downtown Roanoke are hoping for a strong summer after some difficult years. The two year construction project revamping Center in the Square proved costly for these vendors
Two years of construction on Center in the Square proved difficult for farmers market vendors.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:51 AM EDT2013-05-24 09:51:23 GMT
With Center in the Square now open to the public, Roanoke's economic development team wants to use it as a centerpiece to attract new businesses. Economic Development Director Wayne Bowers said he sells
Economic Development Director Wayne Bowers is marketing to Roanoke to new businesses by selling the downtown area.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:08 AM EDT2013-05-24 09:08:44 GMT
All Internal Revenue Service operations are closed today due to the budget situation facing the agency. The closures also include staffing at all IRS toll-free hotlines, the nearly 400 taxpayer assistance
Here's a look at some of the stories we'll be following today as they make headlines across the country and Southwest Virginia.
