The progress of the YP movement is Roanoke is credited to the emergence of the pleathora of YP organizations -each offering something different and unique. If you are new to the area, looking for a way to get involved or to meet new people, then visit one of these organizations.

• Ad2Roanoke - http://www.ad2roanoke.org
• Contemporaries - http://www.contemporariesroanoke.org
• First Fridays - http://www.firstfridaysroanoke.com
• NewVa Connects - http://www.newvaconnects.org
• Roanoke Jaycees - http://www.roanokejaycees.com
• Square Society - http://www.squaresociety.org
• Valley Forward - http://www.valleyforward.net
• Young@Art - http://www.youngatartinroanoke.com

The Hancock in downtown Roanoke is now open. WDBJ7’s Natasha Ryan captured the importance of this project for Roanoke YP initiative.

Roanoke YP Progress is a document written in response to a recent speech regarding the progress being made in Roanoke on its YP movement. Feedback is encouraged.

Roanoke, Virginia native Cameron Johnson is down to the final three in Oprah’s Big Give with the final episode this Sunday evening, April 20 at 8 pm on ABC.

A CNNMoney article recently examined how entrepreneurs, like Cameron, have an advantage on these TV reality shows.

More than having the advantage on reality shows, having more residents with an entrepreneurial spirit differentiates your regional economy and allows it to compete in the global economy. We must have more entrepreneurs working for themselves rather than working for someone else. Cameron is our poster child for the young professional/ young adult movement in Roanoke and entrepreneurial spirit needed in the 21st century.  

On Friday, January 18, the Virginia Tech student newspaper the Collegiate Times wrote this fantastic, unsolicited editorial urging Tech students to look at Roanoke and the New River Valleys to start their careers. The editorial, “Students should seek opportunities to work in Roanoke” could not have been written better.

This comes after at least 2 years of talking to students one-on-one, taking student groups to see downtown Roanoke, and putting on events such as the Roanoke and New River Valley Career and Lifestyle Fair on February 5. At no other time has student interest in wanting to stay in the region been so desired. Now, it is up to the local employers to take advantage of this opportunity and hire these students within the local workforce.

There are over 60,000 college students within a 50-mile radius of Roanoke, excluding Lynchburg. This distinction is very unique. We must capitalize on this new found publicity and close the deal on some of these students looking to stay.

If you know of any employers or students, tell them to come to the fair on Feb 5.