New business mag started in North Carolina

Piedmont Magazine, a glossy, four-color, quarterly business magazine serving the Virginia-North Carolina border area, will launch its first issue this summer, according to a release issued Monday.

Its coverage area will include Patrick, Henry and Pittslyvania Counties in Virginia and Rockingham County in North Carolina, as well as adjoining counties.

The magazine was conceived by Gary Corns, a native of Patrick County and a current resident of Rockingham County, and James Whitlow of Ridgeway, Va. Stories will focus on the important work that is taking place to retool the area economy for the 21st century.

“James and I have talked for several years about the need to have a regional magazine that would promote the progress and growth that is taking place in our communities along the border area. And too, we wanted to tell these stories in a positive way.” said Corns. “While there are business magazines in Roanoke to the north of us and in the Triad to south, there really isn’t a business magazine for our area. We believe that we need to have own business magazine, right here for our border counties.â€?

Cheryl Hopkins, a writer and editor based in Greensboro who has written for businesses and industries in the Piedmont, will lead the editorial department of the magazine. Each issue will explore one topic that impacts the geographical area, showing how it is helping to build the local economy. The premier issue will focus on the tourism industry. The magazine will also report on activities and achievements of area business.

Read more here.