About the Roanoke Metropolitan Area

All You Need, Within Reach

Located within a day's drive of 2/3 of the nation's population, the Roanoke Metropolitan area is the heart of Southwest Virginia, as well as a burgeoning hub for business in the Mid-Atlantic region and the East Coast.

Here are just a few of the assets that the Roanoke Metropolitan area boasts:

The Perfect Blend:  Population Density With Room for Growth

• One of the 50 hottest cities for manufacutring growth and business relocation
• One of the 50 "Best Places for Business and Careers" according to Forbes.com, among metropolitan areas in the over-300,000 population category
• Unbeatable Value:  Lower-than-average business costs and cost of living, in a booming, rapidly growing metro area with a central location
• Compete Globally:  Easy access to global markets via The Port of New River Valley inland port and foreign trade zone
• Independent City Government:  Businesses and residents pay only city taxes
• Learn more about the Roanoke metro area and its thriving economy:
   – Visit the Roanoke Regional Partnership »
   – Visit the Roanoke Office of Economic Development »

The Central Location Your Business Needs

• Within an easy day's reach of 2/3 of the nation's population
• Direct, hassle-free access to all the major highways of Southwest Virginia, including I‑81, I‑581, US‑220, US‑460, as well as easy access via I‑81 to I‑64, I‑66, and I‑77
• Comprehensive access to air, rail, freight, and shipping, including Norfolk Southern rail, and the Roanoke Regional Airport
• Less than an hour from Blacksburg, VA and Virginia Tech; less than four hours from Washington, D.C., Richmond, VA, and Greensboro, NC
• Midway between New York City and Altanta
• See for yourself:  Get directions to the RIC »

The Quality of Life Your People Want

• The largest city on the Blue Ridge Parkway, located along the Appalachian Trail in the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains
• Voted "One of America's Most Livable Communities," and a five-time "All America City"
• One of the nation's best outdoor cities for hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and more
• More than 26 miles of city greenways, 14,000+ acres of parkland, and Carvins Cove Nature Reserve – the nation's second-largest municipal park
• An abundance of arts, museums, and festivals, including the Taubman Museum of Art, the Jefferson Center and Music Lab, and the city's own orchestra, opera, ballet, and theatre
• Historic Roanoke Farmer's Market and Market Building, as well as other farmer's markets, food co-ops, local vineyards, and more
• An education hub:  More than 20 institues of higher education within an hour of Roanoke including Virginia Tech, Hollins University, Radford University, and Roanoke College, to name a few
• That's just the tip of the iceberg:
   – Find out about the amenities enjoyed by tenants of the RIC »
   – View our current availabilities »