Return to Roots

Return to Roots (RTR) is an informative resource for people wanting to return to Southwestern Virginia and are searching for a place to live, work, and play. RTR is a campaign to connect employers in the region to the estimated 15,000 high school alumni who have graduated from high schools in Southwestern Virginia over the past 20 years.

In the 21st century, Southwest Virginia has exploded with new professional career opportunities and this region needs people willing to relocate to the region. Global IT giants Northrop Grumman and CGI are in the process of creating 700+ software development jobs in its' Southwest Virginia facility!!!

Three key areas - defense, health care, and education - need to find skilled workers for career opportunities such as computer programmers, network technicians, database administrators, industrial engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, electricians, and welders.
Funded by a Special Projects grant from the Tobacco Commission, Return to Roots is reaching out to former residents and companies through its web site, a direct mail campaign, and the media to inform prospective employees about employment opportunities existing in the region. Tobacco Commission grant funds are further supporting this transformational effort on multiple fronts. Opportunity Funds have been committed to the CGI and Northrup-Grumman projects, Southwest Economic Development funds are helping turn a former Food Lion grocery store into a training center, and Education grants are being used to train prospective employees in a fast track software development curriculum offered by the region’s community colleges.

Partnering together (colleges, universities, communities, residents, and employers), we can accomplish this goal of bringing our native sons and daughters back home for a high quality of living!