I was recently visiting some friends in Charlotte, who originally lived in the New River Valley, and they took me and my fiancee to their workplace on New Year’s Eve. The friend worked in a securities department of one of the large banks based in downtown Charlotte. Her "office" was nothing more than an open cubicle. There must have been 500 of these cubicles on this one wide-open floor of the mega-bank building. When I looked at each of the "offices" I noticed that most every "office" had a sign of their alma mater on their desk. As I walked down the line, I saw Auburn, Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Florida, Clemson, North Carolina State, etc. Just about any college in the southeast was represented. I then asked my friend about the ages of her co-workers and she said most were under 40 years old. At that point it was real. My simple observation illustrates Charlotte’s net gain in the 25-34 age segment of the educated population – and that gain is at the expense of the Roanoke and the New River Valleys.
Why Charlotte? Of course, Charlotte has the banking cluster, but what differentiates Charlotte from Roanoke. At one time they were similar in size, until, US Airways placed its hub in Charlotte, and some think that was what help boost Charlotte. Certainly, the consolidation of the banking industry in Charlotte was a big boost too – probably even took some of Roanoke’s bank board rooms. It is also worth mentioning that there were several multi-level condo buildings that were under construction in the downtown – perfect for this young adult group. Roanoke and Blacksburg both have made some progress toward downtown living for young people, but each have a ways to go. As for transportation, my friend has sold her car. She does not need it. She either takes the FREE trolley to work each morning or walks. She can pickup all of the essentials along the way. Not sure we can say the same, but wouldn’t downtown living revitalize the downtowns in our region?
Does Roanoke and the New River Valley have a cluster or amentities that would attract and retain the young educated workforce? Charlotte does NOT have a major research university – we do in Virginia Tech. Higher education and perhaps health care are the most notable high employer clusters. There is no trolley, but there is certainly a fine alternative in the Smart Way Bus. Many skeptics say, but we do not have the jobs. Oh really? Why are local firms relentlessly trying to fill open spots with the young educated workforce and one company is moving to Richmond because they cannot find the talent here to grow? There are 40,000 colleges students in this region at all times. I do not buy it. A bridge is needed. Hopefully, this blog can help in some small way.
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If you look at the demographics of southwest Virginia, many counties have below average numbers of young people and above average numbers of people over fifty, meaning the region is slowly being depopulated for lack of jobs and opportunity.
The Blacksburg-Christiansburg area is one of the few exceptions.
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If you look at the demographics of southwest Virginia, many counties have below average numbers of young people and above average numbers of people over fifty, meaning the region is slowly being depopulated for lack of jobs and opportunity.
The Blacksburg-Christiansburg area is one of the few exceptions.
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The geographics of both the Charlotte region and the Roanoke/New River Valley region are similar. Both reside in the South where traditional conservatism is typical. Yet areas like Charlotte, Athens, GA, and Asheville, NC possess a progressive attitude similar to towns and cities in the West that is not overly present in Roanoke/New River Valley. What inspires that attitude in those towns, but not here?
The town of Blacksburg has a "Zero Growth" policy, making it impossible to develop housing or even businesses. Apparently they rely on Virginia Tech as their "Cash Cow" and have no need to encourage positive economic development in other areas. The town of Christiansburg outside of Blacksburg and Botetourt County adjacent to Roanoke are quickly growing over with unnecessary sprawl. The complete opposite end of the spectrum from Blacksburg.
The abundance of outdoor activities and natural beauty in the Roanoke/NRV area is some of the best I've seen on the East Coast. Certainly more than what Charlotte has to offer. As this is becoming a more important attribute for the 25-34er's on where to live. It needs to be promoted and marketed much better as an aid in attracting that demographic to the Roanoke/NRV area.
I lived in DC for a few years before moving down here only 3.5-4 hours away and had no idea of the amount of outdoor activities that were available here. Needless to say as an outdoor enthusiast, I was pleasantly surprised.
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I left the NRV post grad. school for Asheville, then returned one year later seeking reprieve from the by-products of a creative economy (few jobs, high rents, traffic congestion, commuting). Six months following the move back, the NRV has plenty to offer, complemented by a little help from surrounding communities.
One method to retain young professionals is to not be overly concerned about developing a Richard Florida creative economy, rather energize potential graduates about the entire NRV, beyond Blacksburg. That message is often never delivered to those who depend on the BT for transporation. There is plenty quality of life factors here; perhaps the message could be spread more effectively by those of us who appreciate the region.
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Blacksburg is a great town to raise a family. I mean it's absolutely superb. I think this is largely thanks to the long established working population of white collar families with one or more children - have heavily influenced the direction of the town - and its resources - for decades. These families aren't pushing hard for more and bigger bars and a thriving singles' social scene. They're clamoring for upscale health spas, extra-curricular activities for their school age children, personal services, home improvement stores, and retail venues that are relevant for their particular stage in life. They're asking for it and they're getting it because they're the largest segment in Blacksburg with the most money to spend. But, there are still many things missing from the town that as others have pointed out, make it less desirable for young professionals (and myself, if I'm being honest). Blacksburg still feels..... Hmmmm, I hate to say it. It feels like a small town without it's fair share of small town charm. The home boom in Blacksburg came at the worst time, my guess is the mid sixties; the older houses are almost exclusively homely ranches and split levels. I imagine a young professional would find it hard to see themselves in that sort of home (and I don't blame them). If you take the students away, the town of Blacksburg shrinks to about 13,000 people. Virginia Tech is a massive economic engine that gives those 13,000 permanent residents some ameneties that usually only much larger cities enjoy. However, most amenities that a typical vibrant small city enjoys would have a difficult time finding purchase in Blacksburg. There just isn't enough population. For example, Roanoke City with its +/- 100,000 people and Roanoke County with it's +/- 90,000 people, enjoys the Civic Center, the Coliseum, and Mill Mountain Theatre, and so on, and you've got a cultural event in Roanoke every weekend of the year. How many professional theatre productions get to Blacksburg? How many museums does Blacksburg have? Live concert events from major performers? How many neat little streets with towering buildings and an endless list of restaurants from which to choose? Blacksburg has a LONG way to go in these matters.
Still, Blacksburg's population is growing. Demand for housing is very high. When we put our house on the market last year it sold within 24 hours. Contrary to what someone else stated, it's pretty easy to find new homes being built within Blacksburg town limits. Just be prepared to drop $350,000 or more for a newly built home. Affordable housing with charm for those new graduates in town limits is very hard to come by. And as a new graduate, you might either commute from surrounding towns or be forced to rent a broke down little house in town with college age neighbors who prefer keg stands to art galleries ;) Not a selling point.
Another observation is Roanoke. The "Smith Mountain Lake Effect" is creating ALOT of economic growth and interest around the lake. At this moment in Franklin County there are over - get this - forty homes on the market for over $1M. This lake effect is beginning to have a visible effect on the lakes closest "big" city of Roanoke, and of course Roanoke County and Franklin County. As both the New River and Roanoke Valley economies evolve, Blacksburg might have a fight on its hands when it comes to attracting young professionals who prefer a more vibrant, artistic and progressive culture. In my opinion, Roanoke has that "it" factor that Blacksburg seems to be missing. Roanoke will never be able to offer up anything like Virginia Tech, but all the other ingredients are there.
Just some thoughts. Keep in mind I still enjoyed my time in Blacksburg, it's a great town. But I have a feeling too many young folks are hoping to turn Blacksburg into something that just might not be in it's DNA?
Sean
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The reason our region is not currently enjoying the economic successes of the Charlotte area is that we are in the state of Virginia. With a broken transportation system(VDOT), a medieval type of city/county government and an overly conservative population we are at a crossroads. I hope we don't start a decline if high tech jobs generated by VaTech are encouraged to locate in other parts of the state, notably NOVA! Downtown Roanoke needs
professional jobs and more housing. I don't know where those jobs will come from if the entire region does not work together.
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