RKR Jan/Feb 2025 with VBRL - 76

RECOGNIZED EXCELLENCE
Roanoke's star is shining brighter than ever,
landing the #2 spot in USA TODAY's " 5 Best
Cities to Move to in the South! "
With its low cost of living, mild climate and
a rock-bottom 2.1% unemployment rate, it's no
wonder people are flocking here.
AWARDS: Multiple All-American City awards.
NATIONAL RECOGNITION: Praised by Travel +
Leisure, Blue Ridge Outdoors and others as a
top outdoor town, affordable place for millennials
and a great city for new grads.
WELCOMING CITY DESIGNATION: Roanoke is
the only city in Virginia with this designation
(and 23rd in the U.S. to get it), recognized for
its inclusivity and community support!
Looking for a place that's affordable, stable and
weather-resilient? Roanoke's got you covered!
Economic Development Specialist.
" We're like '8-1-1, Call Before You
Dig,' " Soltis says. " If they can contact
us first, we can direct them
into the avenues that they should
take to be more successful in their
business. "
The Reschkas, both small business
owners, have lived in Roanoke
for seven years. Stephanie Reschka
owns Dessert Bar, an event catering
business. As a photographer/
videographer, Taylor Reschka owns
Taylored Images. They have advice
for new business owners: get involved.
Show up at Chamber of Commerce
events. Stick your neck out there and
keep doing it. " Sometimes all you need
is one brave day to go and discover
that you like it, " Stephanie Reschka
says.
For Taylor Reschka, belonging to
the Roanoke Regional Chamber of
Commerce has cemented his sense
of belonging in the Roanoke business
community. " There were so many
people at my ribbon-cutting. So many
people I knew, people I didn't know.
The mayor was there, " he remembers.
" We have made more connections
" WE HAVE THAT SOUTHERN
HOSPITALITY CHARM ... ONCE
YOU MEET FOLKS, YOU'RE
FRIENDS FOR LIFE - THEY'LL
ALWAYS SAY 'HEY' IN THE
GROCERY STORE. "
-PETE ESHELMAN
in two or three years here than we
ever did in 20+ years in Michigan.
That's huge, not just for our businesses,
but for our happiness, " Taylor
Reschka says.
MOUNTAIN METRO MIX
With so many options tucked between
the mountains, residents can customtailor
their weekends to fit every lifestyle.
Hike one of the area's seven
peaks in the morning, spend the afternoon
at a farmers market or tubing
the river and then enjoy a quiet dinner,
some jazz or theater, all within a
short drive of downtown. " That is one
of the unique attributes of the region
that makes it really special, " says
Pete Eshelman, RRP senior director
10 2025 VBR LIFE
of creative strategies. He likes
to mountain bike after work and
can be out the door and on a trail
within minutes.
Roanoke is more than its mountains,
rivers and greenways. The
people are diverse. The food is
diverse. The music, art, culture and
dance are diverse. Folks are noticing
and they jump right in.
A PLACE TO CALL HOME
Roanoke is welcoming. We declared
it. We're living it. We're attracting new
neighbors who stick around.
" We have that southern hospitality
charm. Everybody is super friendly
and helpful, " Eshelman says. Once
you meet folks, you're friends for life
- they'll always say " hey " in the grocery
store, he says.
Getting involved in community
helps people become invested,
according to Julia Boas, RRP director
of talent strategies. " The more they
do, the more roots they plant and the
more embedded they become. "
" People around here are mostly
happy. It's just easier here, " Eshelman
says. I
RKR Jan/Feb 2025 with VBRL

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of RKR Jan/Feb 2025 with VBRL
