aCorridor Regional Profiles

Virginia's aCorridor

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Virginia’s aCorridor is a scenic region of opportunities for companies to participate in the global marketplace. The region includes two cities, Bristol and Galax, and Washington, Smyth, Wythe, Grayson, Carroll and Bland counties, a population of more than 200,000.

aCorridor Regional Profile Acrobat (pdf)

The region is located in southwestern Virginia along Interstate 81, one of the leading trucking routes in the eastern United States, and its intersection with Interstate 77 in Wythe County. Some of the aCorridor is located within a large MSA region with a population of nearly 500,000 that was the first region ever to be designated an All-America City in 1999.

Sound manufacturing experience

A sound existing industry base with leading employers such as Bristol Compressors, Nautilus, General Dynamics, Klöckner Pentaplast, TRW, Dana, AFG Industries, Pepsi, Guardian Glass, Vaughn-Bassett Furniture, ABB, Magnolia Manufacturing, National Textiles and others is proof of success in operating a business in Virginia’s aCorridor.

Sophisticated manufacturing in automotive, defense, textiles, wood products and plastics is ongoing in the region. A growing number of businesses involved in distribution and logistics, food services and software development are taking advantage of the business climate and local community cooperation to locate and expand in the aCorridor.

New industrial and business parks are available throughout the region along with existing buildings that can be adapted to various sizes of manufacturing, office and warehousing requirements.

Incubators and technology

Two new business incubator and training facilities are located in the aCorridor in Galax and Abingdon. Training programs are available in the region’s two community colleges, at regional skills centers, through the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, and also through the educational and degree programs at several four-year colleges and universities in the area, including Virginia Tech. Virginia’s aCorridor is located along Virginia’s Technology Corridor. The region is positioned and poised to access the high speed Internet technologies available in the region.

Rich cultural heritage coupled with outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities make the aCorridor a great place to live. The region includes five hospitals, one designated as a teaching facility for a nearby medical school, and access to clinics and telemedicine facilities linked to Virginia’s major medical centers.