Virginia Casting Industries plans to invest $9.1 million in the former Intermet foundry, turning it into a ductile iron components manufacturing operation that will employ 300 workers. The move has Radford city officials hoping -- and planning -- for more improvements.

Mayor-elect Bruce Brown plans to hold neighborhood meetings to find out what sort of development residents want to see and then seek federal grant money, such as Community Development Block Grants, in an effort to revitalize other parts of the city.

In the meantime, the start-up of the factory is pleasing city homeowners. "I'm glad to hear it's back, because the city of Radford needs the tax base," said city resident Noel Slone. "Without the tax base, the money has to come from somewhere -- and that's out of our pockets."

Read more in The Roanoke Times....