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.

Strong manufacturing base

Everything from snack foods and Gatorade to leading human resources software and a revolutionary plugless power system for electric vehicles is part of the manufacturing base in Virginia's aCorridor.

Fast developing is a cluster of food processing and beverage companies that take advantage of the aCorridor's strategic East Coast location along the crossroads of two major interstates. Also in the mix are automotive-related industries that use sophisticated technology to make precision parts for the world's leading automakers, and other business that utilize high-tech manufacturing expertise in plastics, furniture-making, defense and distribution.

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.

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.