Q3 2025 Newsletter
September 30, 2025
Wrap Technologies Cuts Ribbon on New U.S. Manufacturing Headquarters in Norton, VA
Governor Glenn Youngkin participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the official opening of Wrap’s new U.S. manufacturing headquarters in Norton, Virginia, on Friday, September 19, 2025. The State of Virginia supported the $4.1 million project through the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Lonesome Pine Regional Industrial Facilities Authority, the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission, and the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority. This represents one of the most significant recent economic development projects in Wise County. The Norton site is projected to create more than 120 new jobs in manufacturing, engineering, logistics, and training.
“We believe Governor Youngkin’s presence at our Norton opening reflects how important this facility is to both Southwest Virginia and our broader mission,” said Wrap President Jared Novick. “Wrap is ready to deliver Made-in-America solutions that aim to protect communities, support law enforcement, and enable federal readiness in emerging domains such as counter-drone defense. The Norton facility equips us to execute on that mission at scale.”
Purpose-built to expand Wrap’s domestic production footprint, the 20,000-square-foot site is designed to manufacture up to 23,000 BolaWrap® 150 devices and more than 150,000 cassettes per month, with future capacity expected to double or triple output as demand grows. Beyond production, the facility houses a dedicated R&D wing, an innovation and demonstration center, and training spaces for agencies and partners.
The Norton facility is positioned to assemble Wrap’s 1KC kinetic anti-drone cassette, a patent-pending technology designed to extend the BolaWrap® platform into the counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) market. The 1KC is intended to provide wide-area entanglement coverage, modular deployment across handheld and autonomous platforms, and multi-drone intercept capability, aligning with Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security mission needs.
“Our Norton headquarters is more than just a production site; it’s an innovation hub,” added Novick. “By investing here, our goal is to bring new jobs, opportunities, and capabilities to Wise County while creating a direct pipeline from local talent to national defense innovation. We believe this balanced approach supports both our shareholders and the communities we serve.”
The State of Virginia supported the project through the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Lonesome Pine Regional Industrial Facilities Authority, the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission, and the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority.
Key Benefits of Norton Facility:
- Economic Growth – 120+ new jobs across manufacturing, engineering, logistics, and training.
- Production Capacity – Up to 23,000 BolaWrap® 150 devices and 150,000+ cassettes monthly.
- C-UAS Readiness – Positioned to assemble Wrap’s pending 1KC kinetic anti-drone cassette.
- Innovation Hub – On-site R&D, demonstration, and training center.
- Made-in-America Manufacturing – Strengthening supply chain resilience and compliance.
The official opening of the Norton facility represents a pivotal step in Wrap’s long-term growth strategy. This strategy aims to expand U.S. production, deliver shareholder value, align with federal and homeland security priorities, and drive sustained regional economic impact.
Wise County Honored with VACO Achievement Awards
Wise County is pleased to have been recognized recently by the Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) with not one, but two 2025 VACO Achievement Awards, celebrating the county’s forward-thinking approach to economic development and energy innovation.
The Elam Farm Site Development Project earned recognition for transforming a once-undeveloped 204-acre property in the Lonesome Pine Regional Business & Technology Park into a certified, business-ready site. Through a multiphase effort leveraging nearly $4.8 million from local, regional, state, and federal partners, Wise County elevated the site to a Tier 4 certification in the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program. This work ensures that the county is better positioned to attract significant private investment and job creation opportunities for the entire Southwest Virginia region
The Mineral Gap Solar Project was also honored, marking a first-of-its-kind achievement in Virginia. This 20-acre, 3.46-megawatt solar array was built on reclaimed coal mine land and now powers the nearby Mineral Gap Data Center. The project represents the first commercial-scale solar development on abandoned mine land in Virginia, blending Wise County’s historic energy legacy with a commitment to renewable energy and advanced technology industries. Developed in partnership with Sun Tribe, DP Facilities, and state and federal agencies, the project demonstrates how innovative reuse of mined land can spark sustainable growth and new economic opportunities.
These awards highlight Wise County’s dedication to building a strong economic future.
Learn more about these projects or other VACO award-winners here.
Visit Wise County Launches Tourism Surveys
Visit Wise County is seeking input from residents, businesses, and community partners to help shape the future of local tourism. Two surveys—one for stakeholders and one for visitors—are now open, giving everyone a chance to share their ideas about what makes Wise County unique, where improvements are needed, and how we can better promote our region. Your feedback will play an important role in guiding future tourism initiatives.
We want to hear from you - click here to take a survey!
The International Economic Development Council Awards Brian Falin the Certified Economic Developer Designation
Brian Falin earned the nationally recognized designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), denoting a mastery of skills in economic development and a dedication to personal and professional growth. This milestone marks a significant achievement and underscores Brian's commitment to excellence in the field of economic development.
“Becoming a Certified Economic Developer isn’t just a credential, it’s a career-defining milestone that demonstrates a professional’s dedication to elevating their expertise and their community impact,” said IEDC President and CEO Nathan Ohle. “Certified Economic Developers possess deep technical knowledge and bring trust and credibility to stakeholders, investors, and peers. We are thrilled to celebrate Brian Falin on achieving this accomplishment and joining our network of professionals driving economic progress around the world.”
The CEcD designation is a prestigious acknowledgement of skilled and committed professionals in the field of economic development, establishing a benchmark of excellence within the industry. To attain this designation, candidates must successfully complete a rigorous and comprehensive examination, consisting of three parts and spanning two days. This examination assesses a practitioner's knowledge, proficiency, judgement, and critical thinking abilities in the following areas of economic development:
- Business retention and expansion
- Finance & credit analysis
- Marketing and attraction
- Strategic planning
- Entrepreneurial & small business development
- Managing economic development organizations
- Neighborhood development strategies
- Real estate development & reuse
- Technology-led economic development
- Workforce development strategies
- Foreign direct investment & exporting
“I strongly believe that continuing education and professional development are keys to career success,” said Falin, Industrial Development Supervisor and IDA Executive Director for Wise County, Virginia. “The process of earning the CEcD designation has given me valuable knowledge and tools that I am confident will allow me to better serve my community now and in the years ahead. Becoming part of this network of Certified Economic Developers and IEDC members has also created new opportunities to collaborate with partners who share our commitment to growing Wise County’s economy.”
Certified Economic Developers operate as highly skilled economic development professionals and collaborate with public officials, business leaders, and community members to establish astute leadership and serve as a driving force in the economic development landscape. Their commitment to excellence translates into a profound impact on well-being, elevating the quality of life and unlocking a myriad of opportunities for individuals, businesses, and communities alike.
Brian Falin is now one of over 1,250 active CEcDs worldwide.
About Brian Falin
Brian Falin currently serves as the Industrial Development Supervisor for Wise County, Virginia and is the Executive Director of the Wise County Industrial Development Authority (IDA). In his roles, Brian participates in business recruitment and retention efforts, community development programs, and manages the financial and facility assets of the Wise County IDA. Brian currently resides in Appalachia, Virginia and is a lifelong resident of Wise County. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia’s College at Wise with a BS in Business Administration and recently completed the Virginia Rural Leadership Institute program. Brian currently serves on several boards including the Council for Rural Virginia, Lonesome Pine Regional Industrial Facilities Authority, UVA Wise Alumni Association, and the Appalachia Planning Commission.
About the International Economic Development Council
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With thousands of members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth, and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members engage in a full range of economic development practices. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in various settings, including local, state, provincial, and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities, and a variety of other institutions. When we succeed, our members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions. Learn more at https://www.iedconline.org/.
Wise County Electric Authority Referendum
On the November 2025 General Election ballot, Wise County voters will be asked the following referendum question:
“Shall Wise County, Virginia, participate as a member of an electric authority created by the County to operate within the County?”
This vote will determine whether Wise County can participate as a member in a local electric authority, if one were to be created in the future. A “Yes” vote gives Wise County the ability to join such an authority, while a “No” vote means Wise County will not have that option.
Big Stone Gap Bike and Skate Park Celebrates Groundbreaking
(BIG STONE GAP, Va. - Tuesday, September 23, 2025) - The Town of Big Stone Gap and Friends of Southwest Virginia came together Monday to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Big Stone Gap Bike and Skate Park, a project years in the making that will soon become a centerpiece for outdoor recreation and community pride.
"For years, Friends of Southwest Virginia has believed in the vision of this project, and today we are thrilled to see it becoming a reality,” said Kim Davis, Executive Director of Friends of Southwest Virginia. “We are especially honored to work alongside the Town of Big Stone Gap to bring this park to life and to honor the memory of Tyler Flanary. This space will serve as both a lasting tribute to Tyler’s life and a vibrant place for families, friends, and visitors to connect with the outdoors.”
The bike and skate park is funded by the Tyler Flanary Memorial Skate Park Fund, the Town of Big Stone Gap, Friends of Southwest Virginia, the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Anne & Gene Worrell Foundation, and the Cumberland Forest Community Fund. Together, these partners have made this long-standing community dream possible.
Town Manager Stephen Lawson emphasized the project’s local impact: “We are very excited to see this project come together. It will provide a safe, exciting place for our community to enjoy outdoor recreation and bring tourism opportunities to Big Stone Gap.”
The project will feature a Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI)-rated asphalt pumptrack designed for competition-level biking, along with a competition-grade concrete skatepark with steel coping rails. A memorial skateboard honoring Tyler Flanary, who passed away in 2018, will be placed within the park. Following his passing, family, friends, and community members created a memorial fund that raised nearly $100,000 to help make this project possible.
"The community has been the vision for this project since the beginning,” Davis added. “With strong partners and the dedication of Tyler’s family and friends, the Big Stone Gap Bike and Skate Park will be a transformative addition to our region’s world-class recreational assets.”
Construction in underway, with the park scheduled to open in Spring 2026.
Wise County/City of Norton Chamber of Commerce Positions
The Wise County/City of Norton Chamber of Commerce is seeking applicants for the positions of Executive Vice President/CEO and Executive Assistant. To learn more about these opportunities or to view the job postings, please visit the Wise County/City of Norton Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.