ROANOKE COUNTY, VA (October 1, 2013) - County Administrator Clay Goodman this week named Jill B. Loope the new Director of Roanoke County’s Economic Development Department. Loope, has worked for Roanoke County for more than 13 years – most recently as Acting Director of the department. Her appointment is effective October 1.
“Jill has a proven track record with Roanoke County,” said Goodman. She is passionate about what she does and has the skills, contacts and ability to lead the county’s economic development efforts. This is a competitive profession and I am confident she is the right person for the job.”
Most recently Loope and her staff led Roanoke County’s effort to recruit the Ardagh Group to purchase the former Hanover Direct distribution center. The company’s $93.5 million investment is the largest single manufacturing investment in Roanoke County history. Ardagh, a global manufacturer of metal packaging products for the food industry will employ 96 people initially. Since the announcement, Canline Systems an international supplier of conveyor systems selected Roanoke County for its first U.S. facility to supply the Ardagh operation.
Loope begin her career with Roanoke County in 2000 as Director of Community Relations. Less than a year later, she transferred to the Economic Development Department as Assistant Director and was named Acting Director in 2011. Prior to joining Roanoke County, Loope worked as Director of Economic Development for Caroline County and the City of Radford, bringing over 22 years of experience in economic development.
Loope is a graduate of Radford University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism/Public Relations. She continued her professional training as a 2001 graduate of the Economic Development Institute through the American Economic Development Council. Loope also participated in continuing education programs at the University of North Carolina, Radford University and Virginia Tech.