I can’t speak to the specifics of the data, but the news from the New River Valley Economic Development Alliance is that for 2011, the New River Valley (Blacksburg/Christiansburg/Radford MSA) ranked third nationally in job creation for 2011, with a 5.32% increase in jobs.  The Blacksburg/Christiansburg/Radford MSA ranked first among Virginia MSAs, as well as first among other university communities.

THAT’S good news, folks.  Other VA MSA’s were also ranked, including:

• Charlottesville MSA / +3.03%
• Winchester MSA / +2.93%
• Harrisonburg MSA / +1.61%
• Lynchburg MSA / +1.o7%
• Danville MSA / +1.03%
• Richmond MSA / +.43%
• Virginia Beach MSA / -.21%
• Roanoke MSA / -.59%

You can read the full report here.  And here’s a link to another site highlighting how the New River Valley stacks up.