Roanoke's economy developed around the Norfolk and Western Railroad, with a
strong emphasis on manufacturing. Roanoke's economic history also includes Sun
Belt characteristics as it was once a center for the garment industry.
Surrounding areas have traditionally relied on traditional industries of the
rural South such as textiles and furniture manufacturing, which have lost jobs
to offshore outsourcing. Despite Virginia's being a right to work state, unions
have traditionally represented workers at many large employers in the Roanoke
area and southwest Virginia.
Roanoke was formerly the headquarters of Norfolk
