Can the Creative Class Rise in Roanoke?
Almost two years ago, this column referenced Richard Florida and his book The Rise of the Creative Class. Since then, he has published another bestseller, Who’s Your City?. He has also developed a robust consultancy called the Creative Class Group. Read more
Roanoke’s Social Graph
About 270,000 people live in the Roanoke area. You can find 63,603 of them on facebook. That would mean that about one in four people in Roanoke has, at a minimum, some degree of computer literacy and awareness of social networking. Read more
Take the interstate, while it’s being offered.
Before Eisenhower got the interstate highway system rolling, the United States were not that united. Imagine driving from here to California on a road like Route 11. Less than 50 years ago, that was the only option. Read more
Share the ideas that lead to wealth.
It’s interesting the themes that are gripping our politics in these post-election times. We’re talking about a transportation industry that needs to be reinvented. There’s talk of a new deal on the horizon that will create millions of jobs in the green energy sector. Read more
The Power of Positive Certainty
By the time you read this, the election will be over. A huge question mark that’s been hanging over our heads for what seems like two years will be gone. Joe the Plumber will be back to business as usual, having a Busch beer at the local bar in Ohio. Read more
Pass the torch before it burns your fingers
Succession planning is something that every business has to grapple with unless the founder has an exit strategy to sell out before the heirs have a chance to fight over everything. But what about communities?
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What defines the “Roanoke Region”?
It’s been 25 years since the governments of our region saw the wisdom of working together for economic growth. Since forming the Roanoke Valley Economic Development Partnership in 1983, the theory of working together has been tested
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Green is as green does
When Al Gore won the Nobel Peace Prize for launching his assault on the climate crisis, people started giving green initiatives a little more attention. Now, he’s spending $300 million on a really cool campaign
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Tourism brands that attract “staycationers”
Perhaps the most depressing media creation out there right now is the summer “staycation.” With gas prices eating into the family budget, more and more people are canceling expensive vacations and finding things to do closer to home.
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Roanoke County has its own Mill Mountains
At the intersection of Roanoke County and Roanoke City stands an enigma. Slate Hill sits stripped, graded and ready to be occupied by upscale retailers. In a lot of ways, Slate Hill has become the County’s Mill Mountain.
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