Local Business and Economic Development | News/Talk 960-AM & FM-107.3 WFIR

Botetourt County is celebrating its volunteers by encouraging its residents to shoutout the community’s helpers.  As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno tells us BOCOGrateful is in its fifth year.

Botetourt County’s annual social media campaign highlighting gratitude has taken on special meaning this year.  The focus is on the county’s volunteers who have been called on to do more during this difficult time.  WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno has more.

Lawson, a real estate development firm out of Norfolk, is building a second affordable housing development in Roanoke. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports this next development will be in the Hollins area of Roanoke County.

A real estate firm specializing in the development, construction, and management of affordable housing has earmarked a Roanoke County site for its second affordable housing development in the Roanoke area. WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno has more.

As the U.S. government enters its 37th day of the shutdown – now the longest in the nation’s history – federally funded services like food stamps have already been affected. And now, the impact is reaching the airport, as WFIR’s Conner Arthur reports:

The United States Department of Agriculture announced yesterday no SNAP benefits would be issued November first.  That means for hundreds of thousands of people in the United States hunger is imminent. Governor Glenn Youngkin has promised to dip into Virginia’s Emergency Fund to fund SNAP.  AS WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports that gives Feeding Southwest Virginia and its partner agencies a little breathing room.

Feeding Southwest Virginia continues to seek ways to meet the growing food insecurity in their service area. On November first many Americans will lose SNAP benefits. Governor Glenn Younkgin is using emergency funds to protect Virginians who rely on SNAP. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports should SNAP end in Virginia Feeding Southwest Virginia would not be able to meet the need.

Feeding Southwest Virginia

Finding the right Halloween costume or accessory on a budget can be challenging – but Goodwill Industries says with time running out try one of their thrift stores. WFIR’s Gene Marrano has the story:

The City of Salem recently received additional grants from the Virginia Tourism Corporation, all aimed at attracting more visitors to the city, and its tourism director says the funding will make a massive impact as WFIR’s Conner Arthur reports:

There’s been an elephant in the room in Roanoke – and it might just be wearing a poker face. A local delegate is now weighing in on the buzz about a possible casino at the Berglund Center as WFIR’s Conner Arthur reports.

Botetourt County planners are getting ready to wrap up the county’s 20-year comprehensive plan.  There is still time for residents and other stakeholders to have an impact on the final draft. WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports

The Envision Botetourt 2045 comprehensive plan is available on the Botetourt County website.  As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports, the county wants residents to weigh in on the draft.

Comprehensive plan and survey

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October 23rd

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Built in the 1950’s and recently reopened after being dark since 2018, the Colony House Motor Lodge made it official with a ribbon cutting this morning. The 67-room motor lodge features fully renovated and redesigned rooms, a refreshed meeting space and a pool are where entertainment including live music is being planned for next year. Alison Blanton with Hill Studios worked with the owners – the Farrell family from Berglund Automotive – to attain a place on the National Register of Historic Places:

Triple-A wants to keep you moving this winter so the organization has created a preventative maintenance checklist to help keep your vehicle moving in the cold weather months.  WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno has more.

If your vehicle is 10 years or older, Triple-A research reveals it is twice as likely to end up stranded on the roadside compared to newer vehicles.  That’s especially true in extremely hot or extremely cold conditions.  As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports Triple-A has a maintenance checklist to help you prepare your vehicle for winter.

www.aaa.com/carcare