Roanoke is strategically located on Interstate 81, the major east coast truck interstate, and fifty miles from interstates 77 and 64, offering easy distribution to the southeast and northeast alike.
The region offers tremendous accesibility to some of the largest metroplitan areas in the mid-atlantic:
- Richmond, Virginia (3 hours)
- Raleigh, North Carolina (3 hours)
- Greensboro, North Carolina (1.75 hours)
- Charleston, West Virginia (3.5 hours)
- District of Colubia (4 hours)
The city of Roanoke, chartered in 1882, grew up around the Norfolk & Western Railroad (now Norfolk Southern), which still maintains a strong presence. As the region grew, the industrial base became more diverse and service orientated.
The Roanoke Valley has also become a major medical center with Carilion Health Systems, HCA Lewis-Gale Hospital, and the Veterans Administration Hospital, all serving as major drivers of the economy. The significant growth of Virginia Tech and related research activities have also greatly stimulated economic growth in the New River Valley.
With historically low unemployment and high productivity, the workforce creates an attractive environment for industry, distribution, and service related companies.