Lisa Bass
Contributing writer
Onward NRV held its annual December meeting recently at the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center.
As a private-public partnership registered as a non-profit corporation with 501c(6) status, Onward NRV uses public and private contributions to fund efforts in marketing the New River Valley. Onward NRV is a movement of local advocates. Its members are like-minded professionals who are passionate about their community. Leaders from business, government and higher educations are working together to promote economic prosperity in Virginia’s NRV.
Charlie Jewell, Onward NRV Executive Director, welcomed members to the holiday gathering. Jewel was happy to announce Onward NRV had accomplished 98 percent of its $1.5 million campaign. Jewell said she was confident Onward NRV will reach 100 percent by the end of the year.
Jewell has met with over 100 businesses in the NRV and is learning the common direction NRV businesses want to take as a regional voice to make changes and build energy and momentum.
A five-year plan called Onward 2023 will use modern holistic approach to economic development that focuses Onward NRV’s attention on accomplishing four goals: 1) Support and grow targeted industries to stimulate job opportunities and investment. 2) Attract and retain talent to strengthen targeted industries and grow communities. 3) “Placemaking” to cultivate regional assets and Virginia’s NRV brand to foster economic vitality. 4) Regionalism by being a high-performing regional economic development organization that unifies the NRV.
Speaker Melody Warnick, author of “This is Where You Belong: Finding Home Wherever You Are” book, explained more how best to foster placemaking in the NRV.
Her book was a result of moving to Blacksburg from Austin, Texas. The average American will move 11.7 times in their life. After move number six, Warnick wondered when are you supposed to put down roots and how does a place we live become the place we want to stay?
Warnick began researching to discover how to embrace a community and discover whether where you live now is home. Warnick learned placemaking is an increasingly essential part of economic development Warnick shared placemaking case studies and suggestions to the Onward NRV attendees.
Warnick suggests communities to say yes to good ideas that give way to positive changes. It is time to focus on the assets of the NRV and people who will want to move here and to be here appreciating the offerings available in this area. Warnick suggested connecting and supporting with each other.
The NRV can encourage ideas and create a smooth path in a pipeline into action. Residents will know where to invest or find cheerleaders to invest in those ideas.
Having a simple “pitch fest” could connect citizens to leaders, government and businesses, who can make ideas reality. An engagement ecosystem will empower people to love the community, stay and attract people who want to live here. Warnick offered these simple steps: find creators, thinkers and doers. Give them a little money and help. Do it again.
Onward NRV is looking for members who support this bold vision for the region. Onward NRV is a group of professionals and organizations wanting to contribute to the economic success of NRV.
Members will have opportunities to hear from influential speakers, to receive updates on program progress and to network with leaders from industry, government and higher education.
Onward NRV offers quarterly events to increase exposure of businesses and organizations. For more information, visit www.onwardnrv.org.
