December 2023 BizNews

Verge Fuels Innovation Growth Thanks to

EDA Grant and Regional Partnerships

Leveraging a $982,443 Build to Scale grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), Verge has significantly impacted the regional innovation ecosystem and helped provide critical support to more than 100 startup companies

in the region over the past three years thanks to the support of Regional Accelerator and Mentoring Program (RAMP) and through the financial contributions

from the City of Roanoke.

Advancing Healthcare Research and Innovation

Flow Regulated Nasal Delivery System (FRNDS) - High-flow oxygen delivery (HFOD) systems are essential to hospital and home care, with an anticipated 2022 service addressable market of $7 billion. Despite widespread necessity, HFOD devices are manually controlled and require health care providers to monitor and adjust flow constantly. By designing a device responsive to a patient’s oxygen needs in real-time, the technology will reduce provider time commitments and the overuse of oxygen while providing ideal oxygen delivery for each patient. Through a Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation CCF grant, Dr. Umar Sofi aims to develop a flow-regulated nasal delivery system (FRNDS) for oxygen that measures a patient’s inspiratory flow and sets critical parameters in real-time to improve patient outcomes and provider workflow.

Learn more about Research and Innovation at Carilion Clinic.

Expanding Services for Patients

In 2022, Carilion received a Virginia Department of Health program grant to establish an Adult Sickle Cell Clinic that recently started serving patients. A primary goal of the program is to enable continuity of care in our pediatric Sickle Cell clinic as youth transition into adulthood. Serving a wide Southwest Virginia catchment area, interdisciplinary clinic staff provide linkages to care, patient advocacy, and a holistic approach to care through collaboration across service providers. The project’s principal investigator is Dr. Angela Venuto-Ashton. Nurse Practitioner Karen Marable leads the courageous effort with Social Worker Brittany Belcher. The combined teamwork has decreased emergency hospital visits and admissions by over 50% in the project's first 6 months while championing excellence in standards of care for Sickle Cell patients.

Appalachian Power Offers Rebates for Businesses of All Sizes

In today’s competitive marketplace, businesses of all sizes need to make every dollar count. Making your business more energy efficient is one practical way to save money while improving productivity and boosting workplace efficiency.

The Appalachian Power Business Energy Solutions program provides cash rebates and technical assistance for virtually any cost-effective energy efficiency project. Whether you’re running a small business or large corporation, your company may qualify to receive cashback for improvements to your facility’s lighting and controls, ventilation, cooling systems, refrigeration and kitchen equipment, and more.

Project Outside is Now Accepting Grant Applications!

Since 2020, Project Outside has been at the forefront of supporting outdoor infrastructure in the Roanoke Region. To date, it has donated over $150K to 24 regional projects. Project Outside has $25,000 to award this year split among three categories: maintenance of existing key regional outdoor assets, new infrastructure projects, and organizational support. Please click the button below for details regarding eligibility. The deadline to apply is January 21, 2024!

Apply today!

Blue Ridge Literacy Receives Generous Grant

Blue Ridge Literacy received a $70,000 grant through Roanoke Women's Foundation. This grant is part of Roanoke Women's Foundation's recent award of $392,000 in transformational grants to support the needs within our community in the areas of Education, Health & Human Services, Arts & Culture, Education, and Environment.

Business Spotlight

Former Days Inn Converted to The Heights at Gateway Park

A Maryland-based development firm, Saul Urban, purchased the former Days Inn on Orange Avenue in Northeast Roanoke in hopes to convert the distressed property to market-rate workforce housing. Now, just a year later, the property addresses a critical need in affordable housing while acting as a beautiful gateway into the business district of the Williamson Road corridor. The 88-unit apartment complex offers one and two bedroom housing options, complete with all the bells and whistles!