USA Today recently named Roanoke as one of the best metro job markets in 2018. Roanoke was ranked #10 and Blacksburg was ranked #6 -- the only two Virginia localities to make the list.

Franklin County and Roanoke County have been recognized as nationwide tech leaders for communities with a population of less than 150,000. Each placed in the top 10 of the Annual Digital Counties Survey.

 Outside Magazine featured Roanoke as one of "America's Smartest Towns", with a focus on the growth of craft breweries in the area.