CFNRV gives The Community Foundation of the New River Valley (CFNRV) is launching their first giving venture, The 1994 Society. The CFNRV was founded in 1994 by a small group of volunteers looking for a way to support their community for generations. “Their dedication and ingenuity in those early days laid the groundwork for the foundation’s current grant and scholarship programs, and for the regional partnerships that support early education, food access, health, nonprofit leadership, and more,” says Ashley Ege, Director of Communications & Outreach. ____________________ NRV Housing Study The New River Valley Regional Commission recently completed a two-year housing study that includes the counties of Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, and Pulaski, and the City of Radford. The study incorporated regional and local data and input from 10 focus groups and over 1,100 online survey responses. The goal: develop seven regional housing strategies for each locality. The Commission partnered with the Virginia Center for Housing Research at Virginia Tech, Housing Forward Virginia, and czb, LLC to provide housing market data collection, analysis training, and strategy development. Says Cassidy Jones, NRV
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Homebuilder Association Board member, “we also recognize the significant need for more diverse housing types at a broader range of price points, and we are eager to partner with our localities to find the right solution to alleviate this issue in our area.” ____________________ Roanoke apartment complex has new owners Blackfin Real Estate Investors, LLC have purchased the Villages at Garst Creek, a 504-unit apartment community in Roanoke for $23,250,000. Built in 1974, the property was rehabbed and placed back in service in 2007 under the Section 42 Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. “This was a unique opportunity for Blackfin to diversify into a new market, and simultaneously add scale to our growing LIHTC portfolio,” stated Blackfin Co-Founder and Managing Partner Andrew Buchanan, who along with Doug Root founded Arlington-based Blackfin in August 2016. Since that time, they have acquired a portfolio of over 6,000 units in markets from Boston to the Carolinas. ____________________ Petco steps up for local shelter The Regional Center for Animal Care and Protection in Roanoke has received a $20,000 grant investment from the newly named Petco Love to support their work for animals in the Roanoke Valley, including Botetourt
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County, City of Roanoke, Roanoke County, and the Town of Vinton. Founded in 1999 as the Petco Foundation, it has distributed nearly $300 million invested to date for adoption and other lifesaving efforts. “[This] investment in the Regional Center for Animal Care and Protection - and hundreds of other organizations is part of our commitment to create a future in which no pet is unnecessary euthanized,” said Susanne Kogut, President of Petco Love. ____________________ VFM expanding Virginia Furniture Market will build a 120,000+ square foot distribution center at its Virginia Market Place Commercial Center in Franklin County, at the intersection of Route 220 and Wirtz Road. This new facility will serve as VFM”s regional distribution center and as the corporate headquarters. “This new facility will support our efforts to provide customers with an exceptional experience,” states owner Joel Shepherd, “not only in our stores, but through pick up, delivery and every way in which we serve our customers.” Virginia Furniture Market operates eight brick and mortar stores in Southwest and Central Virginia. ____________________ The business of college sports Virginia Tech has launched a $400 million fundraising campaign to
bolster its sports amenities - and to heighten the university's profile nationwide. School president Tim Sands said it’s also about staying competitive in the Atlantic Coast Conference. That includes more money for football coach's salaries, recruiting efforts and student-athlete scholarships, increasing Hokie Club membership and sports facility improvements like a Cassell Coliseum overall. The new, "Reach for Excellence" is part of the broader Boundless Impact $1.5 billion dollar Campaign for Virginia Tech. “It’s important for our students, our community and the university’s vision for the future that we continue to support the success and strengthen our performance and impact in every arena. Athletics plays a special role in creating the unique Virginia Tech experience we enjoy,” Sands said at the late April public phase launch of the campaign. ____________________ RVBA celebrates milestone On April 26, the Roanoke Valley Broadband Authority (RVBA) celebrated its 5th anniversary. The RVBA serves and supports businesses, government, education, healthcare, and other private internet service provider companies across the region. In five years of operation RVBA has never lost a customer. The non-traditional internet service provider has grown to operate more than 100 miles
