COULD IT HAVE BEEN ANY TOUGHER?                            
The Blue Ridge Marathon, America's toughest road marathon, was made just a little tougher by Mother Nature; but it didn't deter the approximate 1,000 marathoners and half marathoners that turned out for the race on a cold and rainy April 16th.  

The second annual marathon drew runners from 36 states and Canada, including several recent participants from Tucson, Arizona's Mount Lemon Marathon.   "We invited participants from that marathon so they could judge for themselves which is tougher," said Pete Eshelman, marathon co-chair, and director of outdoor branding for the Roanoke Regional Partnership."  Mount Lemon Marathon bills itself as the, "Toughest Road Marathon in the World."  (No decision yet, as to which is tougher.)

While several of the post race activities had to be cancelled because of the severe weather; the storm passed by mid afternoon.  Sun broke through the clouds and those who ventured out were able to enjoy more than 200 cyclists in the Roanoke Twilight Criterium and live music throughout downtown which wound up the second annual Down by Downtown Festival.

Runners weren't the only people who turned out on that blustery day. The Blue Ridge Marathon requires 63 course marshals to keep the event running smoothly.  Despite a torrential downpour, all but two volunteers showed up for their assigned duties.  Talk about tough!

ROANOKEENTREPRENEUR.COM - YOUR LINK TO SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES        
Roanokeentrepreneur.com, the Roanoke Regional Partnership's newest website, is a hub of resources for start-ups and small businesses alike. And just one more way the Partnership is working to attract people, money, and ideas to the Roanoke Region.
 
The site links you to resources for business counseling, market data, funding, and business services.  It also has links to the legal requirements of forming a business such as licenses, permits, and taxes.  Educational resources also provide information on business plans, human resources, organizational structure, exporting, and marketing.

"There has always been help available on starting a business," said Beth Doughty, executive director of the Roanoke Regional Partnership. "You just had to spend a lot of time finding it.  Not only are we bringing it together in one portal but we'll spend money promoting it to help people find this important resource and connect to the Roanoke Region."

 

HIRING CONTINUES IN ROANOKE REGION                
The Roanoke Region's economy is in full recovery mode, with 811 jobs added in the Roanoke MSA since February.  Unemployment in the Roanoke MSA is at its lowest rate since January 2009.  The size of the civilian labor force also grew by over 400 workers in March.  This fact combined with the fact that the number of unemployed has continually decreased in recent months indicates that discouraged workers are likely reentering the workforce and finding jobs. 

The unemployment rate in the Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) in March 2011 was 6.8 percent, down from February 2011 (7.1 percent) and more than a full percentage point down from March 2010 (7.9 percent).  The rate for the extended labor market (approximately 60 mile radius from downtown Roanoke) is at 7.5 percent, down from February 2011 (7.7 percent) and down from March 2010 (9.4 percent).

Roanoke is ranked 50th in the nation in terms of having a low unemployment rate, putting it in the top 14 percent of all metros nationally.  The Roanoke MSA's unemployment rate continues to be lower than that of Lynchburg and Richmond, Virginia; Asheville, Piedmont Triad, and Charlotte, North Carolina; Knoxville and Chattanooga, Tennessee and many other mid-sized southern metros.

  

KIVA IN NATIONAL NEWS AGAIN                

KIVA (Kids in the Valley Adventuring), a Roanoke area family-oriented outdoors club. continues to attract national attention. USA Today on April 14 featured KIVA as part of a series on the benefits of outdoor fun for children.  KIVA's motto: play, learn, and volunteer, promotes education and better health though outdoor exploration. KIVA was also featured on NBC's Today.

Read the USA Today story here>>>

  

MAY INVESTOR UPDATE MEETING                
Don't miss the 2011 Report on Regional Economic Progress, presented at the Investor Update on Tuesday, May 17th at 8:00 am, Roanoke Higher Education Center, room 212. There is no charge for the program and light breakfast.  To register, please contact Lisa@Roanoke.org.