Biz Talk - Business Blog Roanoke and Beyond

New River Valley busness Webmail.us is listed as one of America's fastest growing private companies by Inc. magazine.  Located in Blacksburg, Webmail.us is an email hosting service for small and mid-sized companies. 

Christina Rogers reports in the Roanoke Times, Webmail.us CEO Pat Matthews, credits their success to staying focused on one product.

"Many companies provide email services, but it is the only thing we do.  We got really good at it.  We've become a recognized leader in the industry," says Matthews.

There were 35 Virginia companies listed in the top 500.  Webmail.us is the only company from Southwest Virginia.  Here is the list of all Virginia businesses on the Inc. 5000 list.

Biz Links - Business, Community, Government and a little on marketing…

• Connecting People recognizes local company, Webmail.us for making the Inc.com 500 Fastest Growing Private Companies list.
• As Roanoke City revisits it's downtown re-districting plan, two other Downtown Roanoke establishments closed their doors. 
• The heat has been on in the Roanoke Valley for the past several weeks.  Record breaking temperatures combined with the lack of rain and it could affect your reservoir. Here are the numbers on Carvins Cove.
• Roanoke Times reports on the City's approach to retain area's young professionals.  Official’s Job is to make friends - Roanoke hired Stuart Mease to attract young people.
• Lawmakers are no strangers to driving infractions reports the Washington Post.  Virginia bad driver fees could snag officials according to records.
• What is an RSS feed?  Check out EvolvePoint's Beginner's Guide to RSS Feeds.  Be sure to watch the video, RSS in plain English.

Press Release

ROANOKE ARTS FESTIVAL SCHEDULE RELEASED
JUDY COLLINS, RAMSEY LEWIS TRIO, LITTLE FEAT
AMONG PERFORMERS FOR OCT. 4-7 EVENT 
‘A Movable Feast’ of performing and visual arts planned 

ROANOKE, Va., (August 15, 2007) – The arts are taking over Roanoke!         

The city nestled in southwest Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains is hosting the first Roanoke Arts Festival Oct. 4-7. The four-day extravaganza will feature a “moveable feast” of performing and visual arts appealing to a wide range of regional audiences and visitors alike.         

“Roanoke is a beautiful place to visit, especially in the fall,” said Mayor Nelson Harris. “This October, the city will be transformed into the arts capital of Virginia with riveting performances, dazzling art – and a whole lot of fun.”          

The Roanoke Arts Festival schedule, released today, will feature more than 20 performances, events and exhibitions at multiple venues across the city. From world-renowned performers such as Judy Collins to jazz legend Ramsey Lewis and rock ‘n’ roll mainstays Little Feat, and from opera, theater and ballet to “ephemeral art” and photography exhibitions, the Festival will celebrate the world of arts and culture in Roanoke’s historic setting.          

Tickets are now on sale. For ticket information and a complete schedule of events, visit www.RoanokeArtsFest.org.         

The Festival opens Oct. 4 with a performance by the Ramsey Lewis Trio and a production of "Hank Williams: Lost Highway" at Mill Mountain Theatre. It picks up momentum Oct. 5 with concerts by Collins and the Audubon Quartet; poetry and fiction readings from Hollins University students, faculty and alumni; and the one-man play "The Neon Man and Me," by Richmond's Slash Coleman about his friend and Roanoke's late sign-making wizard, Mark Jamison.         

The Festival’s third day features the classical James Piano Quartet, the Southwest Virginia Ballet and an Americana-themed "Great American Concert" by the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra and Opera Roanoke. A highlight will be maestro David Wiley performing George Gershwin's classic "Rhapsody in Blue," while conducting the orchestra from the piano.         

The Festival’s final day, Oct. 7, is capped with a performance by Little Feat, a third performance of “Paper Cup Ocean,” an original full-length play at Mill Mountain Theatre's Waldron Stage written by Hollins alumna Rachel Nelson and directed by Ernie Zulia, a viewing of the Silent Film classic “The General” with Buster Keaton, and an original production by the Roanoke Ballet Theatre.          

Throughout the Festival, there will be ongoing shows at four area museums, including the O. Winston Link Museum presenting “Civil War Photographs from the David L. Hack Collection” from the Chrysler Museum of Art, featuring rare and seldom-seen photographs made from the original glass-plate negatives, and the Science Museum of Western Virginia’s colorful and original “In the Glow: The Science Behind the Art of Neon.”         

“For our first year, we are delighted to feature so much variety and quality in the performing and visual arts,” Harris said. “With Roanoke’s spectacular setting, friendly people and year-round appreciation of the arts, we look forward to welcoming arts fans from throughout Virginia and the region.”  

FOR TICKET INFORMATION AND COMPLETE SCHEDULE 

See complete News Release including sponsorship details

Contact:

Thomas Becher, APR
tba: Thomas Becher Agency, Inc.
540-772-4404
tbecher@tbtheagency.com

As a Roanoke Businessperson, I am always looking for new venues to promote Downtown Roanoke business. RoanokeBiz2Biz.com will be establishing a new target area on our website that will focus on Downtown Businesses.

I recently attended three great meetings with the City of Roanoke Department of Economic Development.  Brian Brown, Economic Development Administrator, shared working outlines for implementing the districting of the downtown that was outlined in the “97 Outlook Plan. This looked very exciting but we learned it was never implemented. 

I was introduced to Jack Barber, Developer of 110 Campbell – Commonwealth Park, the old Leggett building. Here are some of Jack’s comments on development of the new proposed district encompassing his new office complex.

“As a property owner in Downtown I have a fiduciary duty to account for all the monies that my partnership spends which includes the amounts that we pay to the city for the special tax district which we are members.  DRI referred me to this districting plan that was never implemented which basically enables me to have a say in how my money is to be spent; first on a district level and then in conjunction with the needs of our neighbors in the other districts.  I have been successful in working with Brian Brown of the City EDA to basically define and outline as a pilot project what is known as the Rail District.  The Rail District is a Economic Development unit that is bounded by Jefferson on the east side, the railroad tracks on the north side, Fifth Street on the west side, and snakes down between the middle of Campbell and Kirk on the south side.“  

“Although this is a fairly large area, myself and others see the district informally breaking down into several neighborhoods that have their own concerns; but the overall direction of the district can be governed by initiatives that arise out of the desire of the citizens to take control of their future.  This organization can be replicated in all the other districts as they organize.  Further, the model also should be the governing principle for the City.  In this way, the stakeholders (the property owners, business owners, residents etc.) can communicate their needs in a concerted effort to City Hall.  In addition, City Hall, by having this model in place, has the ability to communicate in a methodical way back to its citizens. City Hall can now address their challenges and opportunities in a way that is more conducive to an orderly and representative society.  Bottom line, it’s good for the business of the citizens as well as the city.”

This plan seems to be a great venue for developing and promoting the identity of different districts. I want to lend my support. I welcome your comments. What are the next steps needed to make it operational? 

Ira Kaufman

President RoanokeBiz2Biz

In last weeks Biz Links post I included an article about two Roanoke businesses featured in Business Week.  Congratulations are in order for these two local businesses.  The article, Hands-Free HR, When does outsourcing make sense? interviewed Chris Nininger, owner Bug Man Exterminating with his experience using a PEO (professional employer organization) to outsource his HR and payroll services.  Payroll Solutions Plus is owned by local businessman, Len DeShano. 

"Nininger uses Payroll Solutions Plus in Roanoke, Va., to oversee the human resources duties - from payroll and insurance administration to writing employee handbooks." 

Check out both company websites to learn more about these businesses.  Again, congratulations to Chris Nininger, Bug Man Exterminating and Len DeShano, Payroll Solutions Plus.

Attracting and retaining young professionals has been addressed by many in the Roanoke and New River Valleys.  I recently learned of a new organization for our area young professionals.   NewVA Connects is a young professional organization affiliated with the Roanoke Chamber of Commerce.  Their mission is "Through action, voice and interaction, NewVaConnects will make the region a more vibrant and welcoming community of opportunity for young professionals."  They have also recently started a new blog.

Roanoke City has also recognized the fact that we need to retain these young people in the Roanoke Valley.  Stuart Mease was hired by the City of Roanoke, to create programs and events, both social and professional, with existing regional entities to retain and attract young adults to the city and its surrounding region.

We posted on our blog an article asking businesses to step it up.  I would be interested to know what your business is doing to help retain these young professionals.  Post your comments here.

For Immediate Release
August 7, 2007

GOVERNOR’S CABINET COMMUNITY DAY PUBLIC SHEDULE
Seventh Cabinet Community Day Session

Tuesday, August 14

Roanoke Cabinet Community Day

Governor Timothy M. Kaine and his Cabinet will be conducting their seventh Cabinet Community Day session. On Tuesday, top Administration officials will spend the day in the Roanoke Region. In 2006, Cabinet Community Days occurred in Hampton Roads (Wednesday, August 9), Abingdon (Monday, September 18), the Shenandoah Valley (Tuesday, October 17), and Northern Virginia (Monday, November 27). The most recent sessions took place in Southern Virginia (Thursday, June 7) and on the Eastern Shore (Monday, July 9). The Governor plans to hold four meetings a year, visiting eight regions of the state twice, over the course of the administration.  ** Suggested dress is business casual ** 

Nonprofit Presentations and Reception. Governor Kaine and members of his Cabinet will receive presentations from Total Action Against Poverty (TAP) and the Council of Community Services’ Nonprofit Resource Center of Western Virginia. A reception will follow. Open to the press and public.

When:         9:00 a.m. 

Where:       Dumas Center for Artistic & Cultural Development
                108 First Street NW
                Roanoke, Virginia

Virginia Veterans Care Center. Governor Kaine and members of his Cabinet will hear about the Veterans Care Center and receive a briefing on Executive Order 19 recommendations. Time to meet with the Governor and his Cabinet will follow. Open to the press and public.

When:         10:30 a.m. 

Where:       Virginia Veterans Care Center
                 4550 Shenandoah Avenue
                 Roanoke, Virginia 

Valhalla Vineyards. Governor Kaine and members of his Cabinet will tour The Cave and receive presentations from Valhalla and the Virginia Tourism Corporation. Time to meet with the Governor and his Cabinet will follow. Open to the press and public. 

When:         12:15 p.m.

Where:       Valhalla Vineyards
                 6500 Mount Chestnut Road
                 Roanoke, Virginia 

Franklin Center Opening. Governor Kaine and members of his Cabinet will hear presentations from The Franklin Center for Advanced Learning & Enterprise and the Council on Virginia’s Future. Time to meet with the Governor and his Cabinet will follow. Open to the press and public.  

When:           2:45 p.m.

Where:         The Franklin Center for Advanced Learning & Enterprise
                   50 Claiborne Avenue
                   Rocky Mount, Virginia

Tinker Mountain. Governor Kaine and his Cabinet will hear from a public-private partnership that placed a highly visible 250-acre area on Tinker Mountain under land conservation easement. A reception will follow. Open to the press and public.

When:         5:00 p.m.

Where:       Hollins University 
                7916 Williamson Road
                Roanoke, Virginia

Contact:               Jeff Tiller                
Phone:                  (804) 692-2599
Cell Phone:            (804) 432-6728
Internet:               www.governor.virginia.gov

Even though I scan the web frequently to stay abreast of local business news, many times I miss an important article or event.  I recently read a posting by Andrew Cohill about Community Web Portals and realized we could include a weekly links posting on Biz Talk. Biz Links will be a weekly feature to recap local business news, community happenings and government issues.  So here we go, the first weekly Biz Links.

Business, Community, Government and a little on marketing…

• Check out an article in Business Week about Roanoke Business Owner, Chris Nininger,  Bug Man Exterminating and how he uses a PEO for outsourcing payroll and HR responsibilities.  Payroll Solutions Plus was also mentioned in the article. 
• Tom Markiewicz posted that Forbes Ranks Virginia the Best State for Business. 
• Emerging Leaders Program was held in Roanoke this weekend at Hotel Roanoke.
• iRealEstate, LLC will be placing an interactive real estate kiosk in Valley View Mall.
• Virginia retailers prepare for second tax free holiday weekend.
• Virginia "abusive drivers fee's" ruled unconstitutional by second Judge
• Ira Kaufman explains why youth demand an integrated marketing strategy.