Botetourt County Small Businesses Gaining Regional Attention

Five Botetourt small businesses and two individuals have been recognized by the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce by being nominated for the Chamber’s small business awards. Every year, the Regional Chamber recognizes outstanding small businesses for success in various sectors, such as health and wellness, food and beverage, business-to-business services, and non-profits. In addition, individuals are recognized as small business advocates for their work in promoting the needs and interests of small businesses across the region. “Small businesses are at the heart of many of the communities throughout Botetourt,” said Jack Leffel, Chairman of the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors. “Whether they are giving people their first jobs starting out or providing the opportunity to seize the entrepreneurial spirit, small businesses are a vital part of our community. I am excited to see that we have so many who are being recognized for excellence across the region.”

This year, the nominees from Botetourt County span nearly every category and every community in the County. Systems Technology of Virginia, nominated in the Business-to-Business Services category, designs, builds, and installs specialty factory automation and tooling to help in the manufacture of products in a wide variety of businesses. Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee, nominated in the Food and Beverage category, is a specialty coffee shop serving Collaborative Trade Coffee from Rwanda and offering a charitable giving program. Moretti Chiropractic, nominated in the Health and Wellness category, offers personalized family chiropractic care with an emphasis on pregnancy and pediatric adjusting. New Freedom Farm, Inc., nominated in the Not-forProfit, Micro category, offers a safe, substance-free place for veterans and their families, free of charge, to visit equines and assist with social skills. The Bank of Fincastle, nominated in the Legacy category for businesses in operation for more than 50 years, is the second oldest business in Botetourt County and provides comprehensive financial services for the community. “For almost 150 years, the Bank of Fincastle has been supporting the citizens and businesses of the greater Botetourt region,” said Scott Steele, President and CEO of the Bank of Fincastle. “We are honored to be nominated for the legacy small business award.”

In addition to the businesses nominated for recognition, the Roanoke Regional Chamber also recognizes individuals who serve as small business advocates. The Chamber states that “this award recognizes our small business champions. These individuals who provide exceptional assistance or services to small businesses through advocacy efforts. They do this to increase the awareness of the contributions of small businesses to economic vitality and create a better business environment.” This year, Botetourt County has two outstanding individuals nominated for Small Business Advocate of the Year. Angie Anderson is the founder of Serenity Counseling Center & Wellness and has served hundreds of clients through individualized counseling, Acu-Reiki, and therapeutic massage while advocating the significance of balanced health and wellness for all those that walk through Serenity’s door. Ken McFadyen is the Director of Economic Development for Botetourt County, having served in that position for more than two years. In that time, he has worked to build a comprehensive approach to economic development that supports business growth and expansion, attracts new businesses, and develops a workforce that can support those businesses. “I am very honored to be nominated not only for the work I do with my clients but also through the work I do with both county-wide and state-level partner organizations,” said Angie Anderson. “Small businesses, especially in the mental health and wellness fields, most often succeed through collaborative efforts among multiple providers, and I am proud to be a part of those efforts in Botetourt County as well as the beautiful state of Virginia.” “Botetourt County Economic Development is committed to helping our small businesses to succeed,” said Ken McFadyen. “There are over 800 business entities in our county and approximately 80% of them employ 10 or fewer workers, so our local economy and job base is very much driven by our small businesses. Many times what we have to offer our small businesses is the connection to resources for start-ups and existing small businesses that allow them to fine tune business plans or determine the next steps in sustaining and growing their businesses.”

Office of The Regional Chamber will announce the winners of the small business awards on November 1st with a large contingent from Botetourt County present. The story of these small businesses goes hand-in-hand with all of the positive economic news coming from the County. “As with so many aspects of the business community in the County, small businesses in Botetourt are booming, and the Roanoke Region is taking notice,” said Gary Larrowe, County Administrator. “We have a great team, both in and out of government, who work tirelessly to assist small businesses in the County.”

–Submitted by Cody Sexton, Botetourt County