VT KnowledgeWorks has landed member company No. 33.

Safe NanoMaterials, a company providing nanotoxicology services designed to assess and reduce environmental and health impacts associated with engineered nanomaterials, has joined the incubator in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center.

Safe NanoMaterials was founded by Benjamin Lepene, a current doctoral candidate and National Science Foundation fellowship recipient in Biomedical Sciences at Virginia Tech.

Blacksburg ranks among the best

Forbes.com and FORTUNE Small Business both have recognized Blacksburg among the best places to start a business.

Forbes.com ranked the town 10th on its list of Best Small Places for Businesses and Careers, a list that ranks communities based on cost of doing business, job growth and educational attainment. FORTUNE Small Business included Blacksburg in its list of 100 Best Places in America to Live and Launch a small business. Inclusion in that list was based on criteria such as housing prices, schools, cultural and recreational attractions, taxes and regulatory climate.

Hospital hosts program for parents-to-be

On April 3, Montgomery Regional Hospital will host a Women's Health Services community education program aimed at parents-to-be.

During the program, Phyllis Turk, MSN and certified nurse midwife, will talk about diet, exercise, genetics, environmental hazards and other issues.

The event, which is free, will take place at 7 p.m. at Montgomery Regional Hospital's Birthing Center. For more information or to reserve a spot, call Consult-a-Nurse at (877) 242-2362.

Pulaski Chamber plans business expo

The Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Business Expo on May 16.

The event is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Coca-Cola building on Virginia 100 in Dublin.

The chamber is accepting sponsorships for the event. For more information on how to participate, call 674-1991.

Discount food store opens in Christiansburg

A new Super Dollar Discount Foods market is now open in Christiansburg's Northgate Village Shopping Center on North Franklin Street.

The store, which is owned by the Abingdon-based K-VA-T Food Stores, carries packaged and fresh-cut meats, produce, dairy and frozen food items, as well as pet products and health and beauty aids. The store closes at 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday.

A Gas'N Go gas station is under construction in the store parking lot.

Names & Changes

Blacksburg resident TODD MURRAY has joined National Bank in the newly created position of executive vice president of loans. Murray will work out of the bank's main office, located at 100 S. Main St. in downtown Blacksburg.

National Bank has also promoted Christiansburg resident DAVID SKEENS to serve as senior vice president of operations and risk management.

PRIME PHOTONICS LC of Blacksburg has teamed with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to develop imaging technology that will use nano-engineered materials to help the military see more clearly in cluttered environments.

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