WELCOME TO THE ROANOKE VALLEY
Serving as the hub of Western Virginia, the beautiful Roanoke Valley is anchored by the bustling city of Roanoke. The city of Salem and the town of Vinton combine with nearby Smith Mountain Lake and Bedford, Botetourt, Franklin, and Roanoke counties to offer a medley of community settings and natural environments. Greater Lynchburg is nearby, enjoying a centralized location in Virginia and encompassing the city of Lynchburg as well as Amherst, Campbell, Floyd, and Pulaski counties.
Throughout the region, grand architecture and landmarks from yesterday blend with progressive cityscapes for a picturesque and charming atmosphere. Rapid growth in economic and residential sectors contrasts with vast acres of preserved national forestland, lush state parks, and county and city parks. Rural counties add rolling hills, farm fields, orchards, and the slow-paced pleasures of a country lifestyle.
Accolades have been consistently showered on the Roanoke Valley for years, including record-setting All-America City Awards for the city of Roanoke. Praised for quality of life and a wonderful place to raise a family, the Roanoke Valley and Greater Lynchburg provide excellent schools, colleges and universities, first-rate healthcare institutions, growing economies, and emerging biotechnology leadership. Both Roanoke and Lynchburg have been recognized on the list of the “Top 10 Digital Cities” and offer regional airports with commercial jet service that provides convenient links to national and international destinations.
Services
Public and private schools on every academic level reflect the commitment to educational excellence, including an innovative consortium of colleges and universities that greatly expands the access to higher education close to home. The Roanoke Higher Education Center brings together the resources of 16 partner organizations in a consortium that provides nearly 200 undergraduate and graduate programs. Participants include Averett University, Bluefield College, Ferrum College, Hampton University, Hollins University, the Jefferson College of Health Sciences, Mary Baldwin College, Old Dominion University, Radford University, Roanoke College, TAP-This Valley Works, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Virginia, Virginia Intermont College, Virginia Tech, and Virginia Western Community College. The Roanoke Valley and Greater Lynchburg are home to a number of respected colleges, from two-year community colleges like Virginia Western Community College to Hollins University, Roanoke College, ECPI Technical College, the Jefferson College of Health Sciences, Liberty University, Lynchburg College, Randolph Macon College for Women, Virginia University of Lynchburg, and Sweet Briar College.
Healthcare facilities and services are equally outstanding, anchored by major health systems that provide regional medical centers and hospitals as well as Centers of Excellence and many specialized care units. The Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital campus in Roanoke City is home to the Carilion Medical Center for Children and a number of outstanding specialties from a center for healthy aging to a Level I trauma center and premier transport services. Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital takes a family-centered approach to healthcare and serves as the region’s leading referral source for women’s and children’s care. Greater Lynchburg is anchored by the Centra Health System, which manages two outstanding institutions: Lynchburg General Hospital and Virginia Baptist Hospital. Salem residents and those who live in Roanoke County look to the respected 521-bed tertiary hospital, the Lewis-Gale Medical Center. A number of other hospitals and health centers are strategically located throughout the two metropolitan regions to meet every need close to home, whether routine or advanced.
