Business and Industry - Harrisonburg VA Known as the Bread Basket of the South during the Civil War, the Shenandoah Valleys farming-related industries continue to employ many area residents in livestock farms, poultry processing plants and supportive industries. As the largest agricultural county in Virginia, agribusiness in Rockingham is vital to the economy of the area. The Valley is also home to a variety of technology companies and sizeable manufacturing facilities including Merck, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. The areas largest employers include Cargill, Rockingham Memorial Hospital, Pilgrims Pride, Marshalls, Walker Manufacturing Company, Coors Brewing Company-Shenandoah, Owens Brockway Plastics/Closures, James Madison University, Rockingham County Public Schools, R.R. Donnelley and Sons, Merck and Company, Perdue Poultry Processing, Wal-Mart and Tyson Foods. Harrisonburg-Rockinghams enticing business environment has encouraged numerous stores, shops and restaurants to open recently, including the new Harrisonburg Crossing Shopping Center, and existing facilities like Valley Mall to thrive.. Farming, technology, manufacturing and retail&&..the mix of homegrown firms and larger corporate facilities balances the local economy, increasing employment as these businesses continue to improve technologically.