I think the Roanoke & New River Valleys plus the Lake are poised now to evolve into an enviable place to live on the East Coast. The reason our region is not currently enjoying the economic successes of the Charlotte area is that we are in the state of Virginia. With a broken transportation system(VDOT), a medieval type of city/county government and an overly conservative population we are at a crossroads. I hope we don't start a decline if high tech jobs generated by VaTech are encouraged to locate in other parts of the state, notably NOVA! Downtown Roanoke needs professional jobs and more housing. I don't know where those jobs will come from if the entire region does not work together.