U.S. Sen. Mark Warner holds economic development luncheon at The Highlander
United States Sen. Mark Warner hosted members of the Radford University community, local elected officials and regional business leaders for a luncheon and discussion of economic development, infrastructure, community partnerships and entrepreneurship in the New River Valley at The Highlander Hotel Radford on Monday, April 22.
An audience of more than 70 people heard updates from Warner about relevant domestic and foreign developments and participated in a question-and-answer session.
Warner’s visit to Radford was part of a daylong tour of Southwest Virginia with stops in Roanoke, Radford, Galax and Bristol.
“If you do take a step back, there’s an awful lot of good going on. In our country and in the economy,” Warner said.
Among the topics Warner addressed was higher education affordability. He pointed to the middle-class population of Virginians served by the Radford Tuition Promise, which covers tuition costs for in-state students with an income of $100,000 or less.
“That is remarkable,” Warner said. “The fact that Radford has gone this far is a real tribute to the university and frankly should be copied by other institutions.”
During a question-and-answer session with the audience, Vaniece Smith, a marketing and management major from Waldorf, Maryland, who will graduate in May, asked Warner if he had any advice for new grads.
“Stay in Southwest (Virginia),” he said.
Warner pointed to the views from The Highlander’s rooftop restaurant of the New River Valley, saying that the natural environment is already a major attraction. With the significant number of college students in the region, he suggested that future economic “wins” will make it easier for graduates to put down roots in the New River and Roanoke valleys.
“One success begets another,” he said.
Senator Mark Warner greets Vaniece Smith, a senior marketing and management major, who joined members of Radford University's Venture Lab for a luncheon on economic development, infrastructure, community partnerships and entrepreneurship at The Highlander Hotel Radford on April 22, 2024.
To encourage long-term economic competitiveness in Southwest Virginia, Warner pointed to the importance of widespread broadband connectivity, enhanced access to healthcare, domestic manufacturing and alternative energy sources.
Warner used the example of Roanoke’s emergence as a healthcare and life sciences hub, including Radford University at Carilion, to show what’s possible.
“I would drill deep (with RUC),” he said. “It’s getting traction in a major way.”
Warner was welcomed by President Bret Danilowicz, who shared gratitude for the senator’s long history of partnership with the university and its students, which dates to his term as Virginia’s 69th governor from 2002-06.
“At Radford University, one of our top priorities is to drive a future of sustained economic success for Southwest Virginia and the entire commonwealth,” Danilowicz said.
Virginia Sen. Travis Hackworth, Del. Chris Obenshain, and city of Radford Mayor David Horton participated in the luncheon.
Both of Virginia’s U.S. senators have held recent events at the university. In April of 2023, Sen. Tim Kaine visited RUC for a roundtable discussion of healthcare workforce development.