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For the first time in 15 years, the Greater Roanoke and Alleghany region will have its rural transportation plan amended. Alison Stinnette, a Regional Transportation Planner with the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission, or RVARC for short, says it is time to update the district’s rural long-range transportation plan. She says the document – due once every 20 years – is designed to help localities plan their upcoming transportation projects, but to her its more than a legal requirement; it’s a glimpse into the region’s future, “It is really supposed to be a big snapshot of our region, and identify what the goals for the next twenty years are for the rural areas within our region.”

Stinnette says that future is not being shaped by the County and Commission planners alone, though. She says the RVARC has already looked at community feedback on ongoing transportation plans across the Greater Roanoke and Alleghany region, but now they want to hear directly from residents what they want to see in the new plan, “We really want the public to participate because we want their feedback in this process. You know, they’re the ones that are impacted [by] infrastructure, services, and everything that we may be recommending to implement in these communities.”

The RVARC’s public Rural Long Range Transportation Plan Survey will remain live through the end of April 2026. Paper copies of the survey are available at the RVARC Office at 313 Luck Ave SW, Roanoke, VA 24016. You can access the survey online using the link below:

https://engage.rvarc.org/2045-rlrtp

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A Roanoke City coffee truck operator says residents should petition city council members if they are upset over enforcement of ordinances. More from WFIR’s Clark Palmer:

As we have been telling you on WFIR, Roanoke City officials recently cited the Least of These Ministries over operations at its Luck Avenue shelter, including warming buses, outdoor lockers and a portable toilet. The founder of TLOT says the city approved their operations previously. Nils Olsson, the operator of Brew Initiative Coffee Truck, tells WFIR News a code enforcement officer informed him this week that after receiving complaints Roanoke City will start enforcing an ordinance that restricts the use of feather flags, which some businesses use to signal they are open:

Olson says he encourages residents to properly petition members of city council to change the ordinance instead of arguing the code enforcement office.

It’s no longer just a proposal, as Botetourt County prepares to welcome one of the world’s biggest tech companies to Southwest Virginia in the form of 3 data center buildings on one campus. WFIR’s Conner Arthur has more:

Google is officially advancing plans to construct a massive data center campus in the Greenfield area of Botetourt County. The project is no longer a proposal and represents one of the largest corporate investments in the history of Southwest Virginia. County officials confirmed the tech giant will develop three data center buildings on a single campus.

The agreement with Google provides three distinct revenue streams for the locality. Botetourt County received over $14 million from the initial property sale in June 2025. Google also committed a $4 million grant to support county initiatives over five years.

County Administrator Gary Larrowe said the grant already funded critical equipment. This includes $1.1 million for three new ambulances and $364,000 for Sheriff’s Department body cameras. The school system also received approximately $2 million for capital projects.

Ongoing annual revenue is projected at nearly $30 million from the three buildings combined. When negotiated, the tax rates were the highest for data centers in Virginia. This rate even surpassed Loudoun County during the initial taxing cycles.

The campus will be located within the Greenfield Industrial Park on 312 acres. This area was specifically rezoned for research, manufacturing, and data center use in November 2024. Google will pay for 100 percent of the power and water infrastructure required for the project.

The data centers will require up to 8 million gallons of water daily from Carvins Cove. Google is working with the Western Virginia Water Authority to explore various cooling options. These utility upgrades are expected to bolster the broader regional infrastructure.

The project is expected to create at least 50 permanent jobs per data center. This results in a minimum of 150 total permanent positions for the campus. Larrowe noted that data centers often have a high economic multiplier.

While many businesses have a multiplier of three, data centers can reach a multiplier of six. This means the 150 direct jobs could support up to 450 total jobs in the region. These roles include HVAC technicians and electricians from local contractors.

Grading for the site is expected to begin in late spring or early summer of 2026. Board of Supervisors Chair Mac Scothorn stated the project positions the county as a leader in the digital economy. Officials hope this development encourages other rural localities to embrace data centers as economic drivers.

Larrowe described the effort as an “all-hands-on-deck operation” for the community of 34,000 people. The county plans to hold open houses and information sessions as construction progresses.

Carilion Clinic is holding its electronic recycling event again this Saturday – an opportunity to get rid of many electronic devices and accessories no longer needed – while keeping them out of the waste stream as well, where they can become a health hazard.  Just drive up to Saturday’s recycling event from 7:30am until 1pm, at 2823 Franklin Road Southwest – adjacent to several Carilion buildings in a parking lot. Carilion is working with River Acceptance, a local electronics recycler; any money paid by River Acceptance to Carilion for the items it accepts will be used to fund a more secure bike rack area for Carilion employees who cycle to work – promoting a more active life style at the same time. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:

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The Roanoke Regional Chamber, Roanoke Regional Partnership, and the Botetourt Chamber of Commerce are taking part in the panel discussion called Data Centers 101 presented by Google.  Organizers say the conversation’s goal is to help the regional business community better understand the growing role of data centers and the opportunities they create. WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno has more.

The Data Centers 101 panel is made up of representatives from Google, a regional peer community that has successfully welcomed a data center, Appalachian Power, and the Western Virginia Water Authority. Eric Sichau, President and CEO of the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce says the Google data center is an exciting opportunity for the region.

“Really, we want this panel discussion to explore how data centers are building long-term capacity through workforce development, supplier engagement, intentional community partnerships, and in this case, our regional opportunities,” continued Sichau. “So we want it to be business focused. We want it to be designed to help our regional business community better understand the growing role of data centers. And in this case, the proposed data center from Google in Botetourt County.”

This is event is for members of the Roanoke Regional and Botetourt Chambers of Commerce and the Roanoke Regional Partnership.  The environmental impact of the Google Data Center has been a hot topic. Sichau says the panelists will share insights into the infrastructure, and planning.

“Our goal is to make sure that this is a business focused conversation and allow different folks involved in different parts of the projects to hit on some of those topics,” said Sichau. “This is a value of being a chamber member is being the opportunity to be involved and hear from the experts on topics such as this.”

Data Centers 101 is April 14th from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. at Charter Hall in the Roanoke City Market Building. Find a link to more information at WFIRNEws.com.  Denise Allen Membreno WFIR News.

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Data Centers 101 is a business focused event presented by Google to share information on how data centers can be a positive partner.   WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports.

Members of Roanoke Regional Chamber, Roanoke Regional Partnership, and the Botetourt Chamber of Commerce will be on hand for the conversation they are calling Data Centers 101.  The panel is made up of representatives from Google, a regional peer community that has successfully welcomed a data center, Appalachian Power, and the Western Virginia Water Authority. Eric Sichau, President and CEO of the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce says the Google Data Center could be an economic driver for the region.

“There’s a lot of economic development opportunities and a lot of industry that continues to view Roanoke as a great region to invest in,” added Sichau. “And certainly the site available for this particular project is in Botetourt County, but Google’s investing in the region. They’re investing in a lot of the excitement happening in our region. And, you know, we view this as an exciting milestone and an exciting opportunity.”

Sichau says this will be a business focused conversation where chamber members can learn about supplier opportunities, regional partnerships, and get what Sichau calls a valuable perspective on how businesses and organizations across Virginia’s Blue Ridge can engage with and benefit from this evolving industry.

“I don’t expect this to be the last event we do around data centers,” Sichau said. “I don’t. I think this is a start of an opportunity for us as the business organization, the regional business organization, to be able to share information like this.”

The Botetourt County  has created a website with information on the proposed Google Data Center.  Find a link at WFIRnews.com. Data Centers 101 is April 14th from 8:00 to 9:30 am at Charter Hall in the Roanoke City Market Building. Denise Allen Membreno WFIR News.

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Google Data Center information from Botetourt County

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The fourth annual Daisy Art Parade is part of an all-day art celebration.  As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports a carnival is part of the celebration.

Each year the Daisy Art Parade has traversed a different area of the city.  This year it is taking over Rivers Edge Park North.  The parade starts at noon on May 9th and will walk the sidewalks around the soccer fields and tennis courts.  Parade Manager Katie Stueckle says it is an explosion of art with people from all over the city and beyond involved.

“You can be sure to expect some giant puppets, some ambulatory theater, some masquerade,” said Parade Manager Katie Stueckle.  “There’s going to be a wide variety of themes from our various parade crews, which are neighborhoods and organizations from all over the city and beyond. In the past, we’ve had dance troupes. We’ve had library organizations.”

The carnival is 10 am – 5 pm May 9th. Stueckle says the carnival includes boat building competitions and a school bus full of activities.  Both the parade and carnival are free to attend. Find a link to more information at WFIRNEWS.com. Denise Allen Membreno WFIR News.

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The Daisy Art Parade is back this year with the addition of a carnival.  There is still time to get involved.  The day long art celebration is May 9th.  WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno has more.

Parade Manager Katie Stueckle says you never know what you will see at the Daisy Art Parade.  Previous years have included giant puppets, dance troops, alien themed parties.  This year the event is taking over Rivers Edge Park North and adding a carnival.  Stueckle says the event is uniquely Roanoke and brings the city together in a collaborative way.

“The Daisy Art Parade and Carnival highlight the shared sense of community that is found all over our city and the creativity that thrives in pockets and organizations and individuals citywide,” added Parade Manager Katie Stueckle.

There is still time to get involved as a volunteer or participant.   And there are Daisy Art Parade workshops each Monday through May fourth. The Parade and Carnival are on May 9th. Find a link to more information at WFIRNEWS.com. Denise Allen Membreno WFIR News.

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Daisy Art Parade

A new Roanoke coffee truck is looking to be apart of a community that supports local business. More from WFIR’s Clark Palmer:

Covenant Coffee Truck is currently in its first week of operation in a gravel lot at the corner of Franklin Road and Wiley Drive in front of the Franklin Road bridge in Roanoke. Co-owner Jeff Baxter, says he and his wife had the idea for the business while working at the Muse Coffee Company in Lynchburg after coming to the area from Tampa. Baxter says he appreciates Roanoke’s emphasis on supporting mom and pop businesses:

The coffee truck sets up on Franklin Road Monday through Friday at 6:30 am and outside Bison head Cigar Lounge in downtown Roanoke on Saturdays at 8 am.

The Market on Melrose has not been a moneymaker – at least not yet – but the non-profit behind a major project designed to help transform Northwest Roanoke told City Council on Monday that the best is yet to come. Earlier this week Richmond Vincent Jr., President and CEO for Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, briefed Roanoke City Council on where the Market on Melrose stands, almost a year and a half after it opened. The early sales numbers at the Market at Melrose this year show an uptick says Vincent – a sign he told City Council that local residents may be changing their grocery shopping routines after many years of having to go elsewhere to stock up on food. WFIR’s Gene Marrano has that story:

You don’t have to jet off to the Caribbean, Mexico or the Middle East to sample authentic cuisine from those parts of the world. Instead the Greater Williamson Road Area Business Association invites you to visit that busy commercial corridor during the annual Restaurant Week event that begins today.  Greater Williamson Road Area Business Association executive director Valerie Brown says along a four mile stretch of Williamson Road between Orange Avenue and Hershberger Road there are 48 international businesses – many are eateries and will take part in Restaurant Week between today and next Tuesday the 24th. All participating restaurants will offer “passports”; visit as many establishments as you can; get the passport stamped and turn it in after the 24th. A name drawn will receive a 500 dollar voucher from Roanoke-Blacksburg Airport, good for anywhere United or Delta flies from ROA. WFIR’s Gene Marrano has that story:

A new report from The Center of Addiction Science, Policy, and Research (CASPR) finds that the Commonwealth’s lax iGambling laws are allowing betting apps to funnel millions out of the state. WFIRs Emma Thomas has details from the Government Relations Director of the National Association against iGaming (NAAIG):