Good marks for Goodwill The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) International announced Goodwill Industries of the Valleys has been accredited for a period of three years for Community Employment Services including Job Development and Organizational Employment Services The latest accreditation is the seventh consecutive ThreeYear Accreditation the international accrediting body, CARF, has awarded Roanoke-based Goodwill Industries of the Valleys. ____________________ Governor appoints some local folks to boards Governor Ralph Northam announcement the appointment of several people from the region to advisory boards in late July. The Board for Professional Soil Scientists, Wetlands Professionals, and Geologists welcomes
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Michael D. Lawless of Blacksburg, Vice President, Draper Aden Associates. The Virginia Manufacturing Development Commission has added Jill Loope, the Director of Economic Development, Roanoke County. The Virginia STEM Education Advisory Board welcomes Dr. Susheela Shanta, Director and Faculty, Center for Engineering, Governor’s STEM Academy at Burton Center for Arts and Technology, Roanoke County Public Schools, and Amy Stinnett White, MS of Buchanan, Dean, School of STEM, Virginia Western Community College. ____________________ Forbes recognizes Member One FCU Member One Federal Credit Union has been voted one of Virginia’s Best Credit Unions in the fourth annual Forbes Best in State program, the second consecutive year Member One has been recognized in this program. “This designation goes to just over 3% of all
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credit unions nationwide and is an honor to receive in any year. However, we are even more proud to receive it after the extremely challenging year we’ve all been through,” said Lori Cauley, Chief Brand Officer for Member One. Forbes joined forces with the market research firm Statista to complete the fourth annual Best Credit Unions in Each State evaluation. ____________________ ROA update The RoanokeBlacksburg Regional Airport saw a 12% increase in June 2021 traffic versus May 2021. June 2021 saw 46,654 passengers fly via ROA compared to 41,350 in May 2021, an increase of 5,304 passengers. The airport's increase of 5,304 passengers from May to June equates to 177 more passengers flying each day. Leisure travel continues to rebound, which drove traffic up compared to May. The airport saw an increase in June 2021 traffic of 243% on a year-over-
year basis; however, when compared to June 2019, traffic decreased 25%. June 2021 saw 46,654 passengers fly via ROA compared to 62,321 in June 2019, a decrease of 15,667 passengers from pre-pandemic traffic levels. ____________________ More funds sought for restaurants impacted by COVID-19 Placing more money in the Restaurant Revitalization Fund was just one of the topics mentioned in a teleconference held by Senator Tim Kaine in early August. Both Senators Kaine and Mark Warner sent a letter urging lawmakers to add more money to a fund to help eateries that was first put in place back in March. Kaine says the money went quickly and many businesses did not receive the help. “A number of businesses that had a clear case for receiving funds under the program applied, maybe they made a small or technical mistake on
