Many people of a certain age who grew up hereabouts will recall the upheavals of riding the old Shooting Star roller coaster at Lakeside Amusement Park. If so, that sensation serves as a qualifier to define our region’s economic ups-and-downs during 2021.
“Turbulent” aptly describes the year. “Unprecedented” works, too. The ongoing COVID pandemic — wily, persistent, lethal — continues to distort the working lives and consumption habits of Western Virginians.
The year 2021 opened in lockdown with the promise of vaccines that would staunch the coronavirus and restore normalcy. That never quite transpired. A brief reawakening around Independence Day was foiled by another COVID variant and by personal resistance to the vaccine, despite its widespread availability and demonstrated effectiveness.
Now, as new year begins amid another COVID surge, there’s weariness, yet optimism among a chorus of regional and influential economic voices. They responded to The Roanoke Times’ request to share their thoughts, reflections and projections about 2021 and 2022.
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Overall, they’re realistic, yet hopeful, as Western Virginia’s resilient economy hits the restart button after a queasy year’s ride.
Jaime ClarkVice president marketing and communicationsDowntown Roanoke Inc.
“Downtown Roanoke is home to a large number of locally owned, small businesses. This year has certainly presented many of them with challenges, from decreased visitor traffic to trouble hiring and keeping employees, and more.
But, we’ve seen many people return downtown and it seems many are making an effort to shop and dine at local, small businesses. We’ve heard great feedback from a number of downtown businesses sharing record sales days and other positive indicators.
We’re hopeful that this trend will continue into 2022 and…
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