As a recent example of the city’s efforts to cultivate growth in the emerging technology sector and to attract a high-tech workforce, the City of Roanoke purchased two downtown warehouses along what historically has been known as “Warehouse Row” to encourage clustering of technology businesses within this distinctive downtown area. The city is currently leasing these buildings to a newly formed partnership with the Roanoke Valley Development Corporation and Carilion Health System. The partnership has invested approximately $2.3 million to renovate the two warehouses into one 26,000-square-foot facility. The Warehouse Row Business Center is designed to provide contemporary, flexible space with high broadband infrastructure to support emerging technology companies.

To further stimulate technology business growth, the city offers new Technology Zone and Enterprise Zone financial incentives. And in September 2003, Roanoke launched its free public wireless project to give residents free wireless access throughout the city’s Downtown Market District.