The Roanoker - January/February 2017 - 28

innovation hub in Roanoke is a
tactical investment to grow the
state's biomedical and health
research enterprise." The
district designation is expected
to help add 25 research teams,
bringing the total to 55.
Hot New Thing #5

RAMPING IT UP

VIRGINIA TECH CARILION SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE

EDUCATION
EXPANSION

Community College is planning
considerable expansion in the
near future.

r

Hot New Thing #4

Hot New Thing #3

Multi-million dollar additions at the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Insitute will add
considerable student capacity
in Roanoke. The state has authorized $45 million to expand
health sciences and technology
research and training facilities
in Roanoke at the VTC, which
will chip in $21 million to construct a 105,000 square foot
biosciences addition at the
Research Institute at Riverside
Center. The addition will house
biomedical research facilities,
including imaging equipment.
The economic impact is estimated at $191 million annually,
once the building is occupied.
Additionally, Virginia Western
28 | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

HEALTH
SCIENCES
EMPHASIS
r

Virginia Tech pounced on
the state's huge grant expanding its Virginia Tech Carilion
Medical College and Research
Institute by announcing plans
for a comprehensive Health
Sciences and Technology Innovation District in Roanoke.
Michael Friedlander, who
directs the research institute,
is the executive director of the
district. Said Gov. Terry McAuliffe at the formal announcement: "The expansion of the
health sciences and technology

A new program at Virginia
Western Community College
called RAMP (Regional
Acceleration and Mentoring
Program) will concentrate on
making small business work.
The program officially launches
in early January, 2017, but
is already up and running,
says Samantha Steidle, who's
running it. Roanoke has a
laudable history of supporting
small, innovative businesses,
but its workforce training has
slipped in recent years and
RAMP could play a role in
getting it back where it needs
to be. The program is set in the
old-and oddly appropriate-
Gill Memorial Hospital building
as a centerpiece for the new
downtown Health Sciences and
Technology Innovation District.
The program is a hybrid that
is supported by Roanoke
($600,000 contribution for
renovation of Gill); VWCC
(classes and faculty), Roanoke-

Blacksburg Tech Council
(advisory board, mentorship
and networking programs).
Says VWCC President Dr.
Robert H. Sandel (who is
also head of the Innovation
Council): "We believe we can
grow and keep our talent,
whether it's in information
technology, advanced
manufacturing, bio-sciences or
other entrepreneurial efforts."
Hot New Thing #6

MORE
GREENWAY
r

The Roanoke River
Greenway project continues to
be a whirlwind of activity, one
that has expanded to include
activities on the river itself-
the Blueway. In 2016, there
was considerable progress.
According to Greenway
director Liz Belcher, there
are several nodes of trails
in the greenway plan, where
trail work is ongoing: Carvins
Cove (First Deck Trail, Rockn-Roll, Hotel Trail, Sawmill
Branch Ridge), Mill Mountain
(Sidewinder, Understory) and
Fishburn Park (Hillside Trail
reconstruction). Three facilities
have been developed along
the Blueway: access from the
Roanoke River Overlook, Blue
Ridge Parkway; access at The
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