Here’s a roundup of news briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org.
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Fulfillment company to invest $10M, hire 203 in Pittsylvania
A North Carolina-based fulfillment company is coming to Pittsylvania County, where it will invest $10 million and hire 203 people, the governor’s office announced Wednesday.
MerryGoRound will move into the 400,000-square-foot former AAF Tank Museum property, according to a news release announcing the project.
The company provides fulfillment services for apparel and collectibles brands. The new facility will specifically support MerryGoRound’s live commerce division, which is involved with sales on social media platforms and live streaming marketplaces such as eBay Live, TikTok Shop and Amazon Live.
Among the 203 jobs that will be created are videographers, graphic designers and live commerce hosts, as well as positions in warehousing, freight and fulfillment, the release said.
Virginia competed with North Carolina and Puerto Rico for the project, the release said.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin approved a $350,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Pittsylvania County with the project. The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission also approved a $145,500 grant, and the company is eligible to receive benefits from the Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Zone Grant Program, the release said.
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Roanoke County launches mural concept contest
Roanoke County Public Library is launching a community art contest. For the next month, county artists of all ages are invited to submit original artwork that will inspire murals at three library locations.
Kids 12 and younger: The winning design will be the inspiration for a painted storm drain mural at the Vinton Library, painted by a local professional muralist. Entries should focus on nature, animals or protecting waterways from stormwater pollution.
Teens, 13-17: The winning teen artwork will inspire a storm drain mural at South County Library, also painted by a local muralist. Think rain, rivers, fish, forests — whatever inspires you to celebrate the natural world and protect our waterways from stormwater pollution.
Adults, 18 and up: The winning adult entry will be used in collaboration with local muralist Jon Murrill in designing an exterior wall mural at the Bent Mountain Library. There’s room for creative freedom, but bonus points for designs that spotlight the scenic beauty of the Bent Mountain community, the magic of books and the vital role libraries and education play in our lives.
The contest is open to Roanoke County residents only. One entry per person. Artwork must be created using traditional media (no AI-generated or digital graphic designs).
Deadline for submissions is Aug. 30.
Entries may be submitted at any Roanoke County Public Library location or online at rocolibrary.org.
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N&W 611 train excursions set for this fall
Tickets for the Shenandoah Valley Limited train excursions, featuring the Norfolk & Western Class J #611 steam locomotive, are now on sale.
The 3.5-hour train ride begins and ends in Goshen and spans approximately 60 miles. Excursions will run weekends from Sept. 26 to Oct. 26, with 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. departures each Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets start at $120 and are available through the Virginia Scenic Railway website. A combination of coach, table, lounge and dome seating classes will be offered.
The N&W 611 was built in 1950 by the Roanoke shop for Norfolk & Western Railway and is the sole surviving Class J locomotive. It holds designations as the Commonwealth’s Official Steam Engine and a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
