• The hotel will contained 230 rooms.
   
  
• The conference center will offer 21,000 - 2,000 square feet of meeting space.
   
  
• The developer is a JMU graduate, Paul Gladd with dpM Partners of Gaithersburg, MD.
   
• The hotel will feature 180 traditional rooms, 50 extended-stay rooms, a farm-to-table restaurant, a coffee bar and wine bar.
   
• The developer is paying $35M to build the hotel, while the JMU Foundation is loaning $11M to the Harrisonburg Industrial Development Authority to cover the cost of the conference center construction.  The JMU Foundation will be repaid with tax revenues generated by the facility.
  

• Opened in 1987 as Coors Brewing
• 450 employees (as of 2015)
• Brew up to 8 million barrels of beer a year (as of 2015)
• Beers brewed: Coors Light, Blue Moon Belgian White, Killian's Irish Red, Keystone, Keystone Light
• A $300 million build-out in 2007 made this one of the most modern large-scale breweries in North America

Unemployment in the Harrisonburg metropolitan area hit an eight year low in April, according to data released Wednesday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

But part of the data supporting the jobless rate has local economic development directors scratching their heads.

Rockingham County was credited with a 2.9 percent unemployment rate in April, well below the 3.8 percent rate recorded in March and the previous April. It marked the first time the rate has been below 3 percent since April 2008.

The drop in the city was greater. The jobless rate was 3.6 percent in April, 1.2 percentage points lower than March and 1.1 percentage point below the April 2015 rate. It, too, was Harrisonburg's lowest rate since April 2008.

Combined, 3.2 percent of people looking for work in the metro area, which includes the city and county, couldn't find it in April. That was well below March's unemployment rate of 4.2 percent and the 4.1 percent rate posted in April 2015.

According to the BLS, only 852 city resident and 1,153 county residents who were seeking work were without jobs, with 166 more Harrisonburg residents and 661 Rockingham residents working in April when compared to March.

"The Kenilworth, N.J.-based pharmaceutical business has been operating in the Valley since 1941, according to the release, and the Elkton plant works to produce a variety of vaccines in bulk. The improvements will upgrade that system.

The investment will upgrade plant infrastructure, add manufacturing facilities and equipment, and complete personnel training to support a bioprocessing facility.

Rockingham County Administrator Joe Paxton said the company would demolish some of its older buildings, many dating back to the 1940s, and replace them with new structures. "

• Symi International, a water importing company, announced in January, 2014 that it would open an office and a warehousing and distribution center in Harrisonburg within 18 months where it would employ 18 people.
   
  
• DBT-Data, which operates a data processing center in Harrisonburg, announced in January, 2014 that it would expand by adding 35 new jobs.
   
  
• Ice House. Construction was completed in the summer of 2014 on this fully renovated 80,000 square foot structure that was originally built for ice and cold storage in 1934. JMU leased approximately 30,000 square feet of office space at the building to house university departments, such as Communications and
  Marketing, Public Affairs, the Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center, and the Center of Economic Education. The building is located on the corner of South Liberty and West Bruce Street.
   
  
• Approved Colleges, which markets services focused in online education, announced in January, 2014 that it would hire 40 additional employees in Harrisonburg in a newly renovated space at 126 West Bruce Street.
   
  
• Shenandoah Processing announced in December, 2013 that it would open a new poultry plant in Harrisonburg where it would employ 102 people. It will serve the market for organically raised and "all-natural" chicken.
   
  
• Bellaire at Stone Port. This is an assisted living community currently under development along Stone Port Road across from the Rockingham Memorial Hospital. The facility will include 64 assisted living apartments and 24 memory care apartments in an 80,890 square foot complex. Completion is expected by mid-2016. At least 40 new jobs will be created.
   
  
• Walmart is constructing a 128,000 square foot store in Timberville. The supercenter would create about 300 jobs. Construction is planned to be completed by 2016.
   
  
• Sentara RMH Medical Center. Ground was broken in November, 2014 on this two-story, 52,000 square foot medical facility that will better serve the needs of advanced imaging, orthopedics and sports medicine patients. The facility opened in Fall, 2015.
   
  
• Bridgewater Retirement Community plans to renovate and add 36,000 square feet to the Huffman Health Center, which houses approximately 130 residents in long-term nursing care. The project is currently in the schematic design phase. Currently most residents are in shared rooms, but in the new model, about 70 percent of the rooms will be private. Completion of the project is anticipated for late 2016 or early 2017.
  
  
• Serco, a records management and patent processing company, announced in November, 2014 that it would expand by adding 40 new positions at its Harrisonburg location.
   
  
• Special Fleet Service, a commercial truck body fabrication company, announced in September, 2014 that it would add 45 employees to its Harrisonburg location.
   
  
• Shenandoah Growers announced in March, 2015 that it would expand its organic herb nursery greenhouse and production facility in Rockingham County by adding 15 new jobs. Shenandoah Growers will install a new 78,000 square foot nursery greenhouse at its current facility.
   
  
• AXON Ghost Sentinel, a Harrisonburg-based cyber security firm, announced in June, 2015 that it would expand in the City, adding 29 new jobs.
   
  
• The Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative announced in July, 2015 that it would build an 80,000 square foot turkey processing facility in Hinton over the next three years. The move is expected to create six jobs and increase the co-op's production by more than 45 percent. The company also plans to invest in its feed mill in Broadway and its grain elevator in Linville.
   
  
• Hotel Madison and Shenandoah Valley Conference Center. Construction on this 21,000 square foot hotel is slated to begin in the spring of 2016. The 205-room facility will be constructed and operated by dpM Partners on land leased from JMU. The project is expected to create nearly 60 full-time jobs once the facility opens.
   
  
• Sentara Healthcare Clinic. Ground was broken in June, 2015 on a new medical facility in Timberville in northern Rockingham County. The free-standing 13,580 square foot facility will house the physicians and staff members of Timberville Health Care and Springbrook Family Medicine in Broadway. The center will also offer X-ray, laboratory and rehabilitation services. The project is expected to be completed in early-2016 and generate 20± new jobs.
  

"Since 2011, commercial and residential development activity has increased and Stone Spring Road has been completed.  [...] Interest in the development of commercially zoned land in this same area is expected to increase as a result of the relocation and completion of Stone Spring Road and the construction of Albert Long Park."

"According to county officials, an expanded UDA would put Rockingham County in a better position to compete for state money under the new prioritization process for transportation funding adopted by the General Assembly in 2014."

1,124 Words About Asphalt by Tim Reamer

"It [the park] would include a ship-themed children's play area, a "great lawn" that would host events and performances, and a broad tree-lined promenade arching from South Liberty Street south of the Turner Pavilion to Bruce Street at Blacks Run."

"Under the conceptual plan, a wing would be added to the Turner Pavilion, home of the Harrisonburg Farmers Market, nearly doubling its size. Plans also call for resurfacing the parking lot of the city's existing Municipal Building."
   
"A sloped lawn and herbaceous garden would be built at the southwest corner of the park bounded by South Liberty Street south of the pavilion. A children's area with play equipment and a water splash pad would be built next to the existing Municipal Building behind the Smith and Eastham houses."

We are a community of entrepreneurs, creators, innovators, designers, writers, digital nomads, remote workers, and  freelancers. We welcome anyone who seeks an inspiring downtown location to work that exudes a spirit of collaboration and keeps an eye on the greater good.

• Free Wi-Fi
  
• Free Coffee
  
• Phone Booth
  
• Storage
  
• Kitchen & Shower
  
• Event Space
  
• Conference Rooms
  
• Key Fobs
  

We are strategically located across from the Ice House, home to the Small Business Development Center, JMU's Center for Entrepreneurship, Shenandoah Valley Partnership, and Shenandoah Valley Technology Council. This corner of downtown has ample parking and is booming with new businesses including yoga & pilates, restaurants, coffee shops and Pale Fire Brewery.

   

A contest among local entrepreneurs with ideas for foodrelated businesses comes to a close Monday night.

The public is encouraged to attend the finale of the What's Cooking concept competition, set for 6 to 9 p. m. at Court Square Theater and Capital Ale House.

The contest began in the fall and was open to any entrepreneur operating or looking to operate a food- related business in Harrisonburg or Rockingham County. The two governments are major sponsors of the event.

Joyce Krech, director of the Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center, said that 11 conceptual plans related to food businesses have been submitted for judging by a panel of experts, as well as the public.

Attendees of the final pitches Monday are invited to vote for the People's Choice award.

Those turning out for the presentations, she said, will get to hear about concepts that could turn into viable businesses and perhaps even realize ways to be part of the process.

"3D printing is revolutionizing industries, from education and medicine to military training. It's a game changing technology so we couldn't be more excited to have a company downtown that specializes in this unique field. Hatch3D is a brand new 3D printing, scanning, and design business located on West Market St. in the Wetsel Seed Building. "

• Visit the HATCH3D website.
• Like 'em on Facebook.
  

Starting in February, the U.S. Postal Service will begin updating its database so the two ZIP codes will have a default mailing address of Harrisonburg, VA, and an "alternate preferred" address of Rockingham, VA.

An alternate preferred address essentially means residents in those two ZIP codes will be able to use either Harrisonburg or Rockingham in their address, and the USPS will accept both. Any type of commercial mailing will default to Rockingham, VA. The change was sought by the county because for years, residents and businesses inside the ZIP codes have been paying online sales taxes that end up going to Harrisonburg instead of Rockingham, said Michele Bridges, manager of the county's economic development and tourism.

Bluetique Cheap Chic | Open til 9pm
Enjoy cupcakes and buy one get one free on all jewelry

Green Hummingbird Fair Trade Clothing
Hot drinks, goodies, music and gift wrapping

Midtowne Bottle Shop | Open til 11pm
$5 off your purchase of $50 or more

The Lady Jane | Open til 10pm
Enjoy 20% off all furniture and buy one get one 1/2 off ornaments, or stop by to make a free garland with fresh, local greenery

Ten Thousand Villages | 10am-10pm
20% off all store items + coffee and refreshments

Walkabout Outfitter | 10am - 10pm
First 50 people in the door will be entered into a drawing for a hat and $15 gift card + coffee from Court Square Coffee
Bring your downtown purchases by Walkabout Outfitter from 5-10pm and have your gifts wrapped by HDR. 

Rocktown Bicycles 
Enjoy 15% off kids' bikes and 20% off accessories + cider and cookies

Downtown Wine & Gourmet
10% off everything in the store + free wine tasting

Friendly City Food Co-op | Open til 9pm
Get a Local Love box for $39.99

The Yellow Button | Open til 8pm
Check out their Deal of the Day on Facebook

OASIS Fine Art & Craft | Open til 10pm
Make a free tree ornament

"The plans call for a 205-room hotel, to be dubbed Hotel Madison, and a connected conference center to be built on university-owned land bounded by South Main, Mason and Grace streets, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Way.

The $30 million hotel would be funded by dpM Partners, while the JMU Foundation would pay the $10 million price tag for the conference center up front.

The foundation would be reimbursed by the city through payments funded by collection of tax revenues generated by the complex.

According to the published memorandum of understanding, the relationship would remain in place for 21 years or until the foundation recoups its costs.

An adjoining five-story parking garage, estimated to cost at least $15 million, would be built by JMU."

• The hotel ($30MM) will be paid for by the private developer. 
  
• The parking deck ($15MM) will be paid for by JMU. 
  
• The conference center ($10MM) will be paid for by the JMU Foundation.

• Oct 2014: City Council Approves Downtown Hotel (Daily News Record)
  
• Oct 2014: Plans Unveiled For Downtown Hotel Complex (Daily News Record)
  
• Sep 2014: Conference Center Proposal Returning (Daily News Record)
  
• Sep 2014: Conference Center Still Alive? (Daily News Record)
• Jun 2014: No Shortage Of Conference Center Interest (Daily News Record)
  
• Jun 2014: Developer Surprised Hotel Deal Died (Daily News Record)
• Jun 2014: Chenault Signs On To Conference Center (Daily News Record)
• Jun 2014: Council Waits For Hotel Documents (Daily News Record)
  
• Jun 2014: Hotel/Conference Center Details Going To Council (Daily News Record)
  
• Dec 2013: Downtown Hotel Figures Submitted (Daily News Record)
  
• May 2013: Conference Center Details Line Up (Daily News Record)
  
• Jan 2013 - City Council asked the developer to conduct a feasibility study
• Nov 2012 - No new proposals were received.
  
• Sept 2012 - City Council discussed proposal, decided to seek competing proposals.

• The hotel will have 205 rooms.
• The connected conference center would be called the Shenandoah Valley Conference Center.
• The hotel would cost $30MM to build - funded by the private developer.
• The conference center would cost $10MM to build - funded by the JMU Foundation.
• JMU would build a 5-level parking garage for more than 1,000 vehicles.
• The complex would feature seven meeting and conference rooms, two ballrooms, a restaurant, pool, fitness and business center.
  

• Oct 2014: Plans Unveiled For Downtown Hotel Complex (Daily News Record)
  
• Sep 2014: Conference Center Proposal Returning (Daily News Record)
  
• Sep 2014: Conference Center Still Alive? (Daily News Record)
• Jun 2014: No Shortage Of Conference Center Interest (Daily News Record)
  
• Jun 2014: Developer Surprised Hotel Deal Died (Daily News Record)
• Jun 2014: Chenault Signs On To Conference Center (Daily News Record)
• Jun 2014: Council Waits For Hotel Documents (Daily News Record)
  
• Jun 2014: Hotel/Conference Center Details Going To Council (Daily News Record)
  
• Dec 2013: Downtown Hotel Figures Submitted (Daily News Record)
  
• May 2013: Conference Center Details Line Up (Daily News Record)
  
• Jan 2013 - City Council asked the developer to conduct a feasibility study
• Nov 2012 - No new proposals were received.
  
• Sept 2012 - City Council discussed proposal, decided to seek competing proposals.

high resolution versions of the renderings displayed above

The health care and social assistance sector is poised to add about 700 jobs through 2016, Brian Shull, the city's economic development director, told members of the Rotary Club of Harrisonburg at their Monday meeting.

That was more than the next two highest growth sectors — educational services with about 350 jobs and retail with about 325— combined.

Construction and transportation and warehousing were the only other sectors projected to grow by more than 175 jobs in the next year and a half, with about 280 and 215 positions, respectively, according to Chmura Economics and Analytics.

PROPOSED GROCERY STORE ON HOLD

• Sep 2014: Conference Center Proposal Returning (Daily News Record)
  
• Sep 2014: Conference Center Still Alive? (Daily News Record)
• Jun 2014: No Shortage Of Conference Center Interest (Daily News Record)
  
• Jun 2014: Developer Surprised Hotel Deal Died (Daily News Record)
• Jun 2014: Chenault Signs On To Conference Center (Daily News Record)
• Jun 2014: Council Waits For Hotel Documents (Daily News Record)
  
• Jun 2014: Hotel/Conference Center Details Going To Council (Daily News Record)
  
• Dec 2013: Downtown Hotel Figures Submitted (Daily News Record)
  
• May 2013: Conference Center Details Line Up (Daily News Record)
  
• Jan 2013 - City Council asked the developer to conduct a feasibility study
• Nov 2012 - No new proposals were received.
  
• Sept 2012 - City Council discussed proposal, decided to seek competing proposals.