Influx of older residents may help Roanoke keep its young people

by Rob Walker
For Virginia Business
August 2005

For years Roanoke has faced an economic threat from its aging population and the exodus of its young people.

Now downtown boosters believe that older folks may help slow the loss of young people by invigorating Roanoke’s downtown.

Rob Glenn is managing partner of the Issues Management Group development company and past chair of the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce and of Downtown Roanoke Inc. He says people in their 40s, 50s and 60s who are buying condominiums and moving into upscale downtown spaces will bring money, expertise, and political and economic clout into the city.

Their presence will encourage development of attractive urban lifestyles and jobs that will lure and hold young people.

“Roanoke is fortunate that most of the corporations here have remained in town and we have some attractions,” says Glenn. The Market district and Higher Education Center are already drawing younger people downtown. “We absolutely think developing downtown as a great place to live will help keep our young people here.”