Bedford Economic Development

The Bedford area is decidedly pro-active in economic development. Primarily, the focus has been on acquiring and developing industrial property with appropriate zoning and the necessary public infrastructure such as adequate public roads, water, sewer and storm water management. In some cases shell buildings have been made available so that a new or expanding industry might be afforded an opportunity to move ahead on a project with a shortened timetable.

Available industrial sites are not limited to one area alone. In fact, at least three separate sites along a major highway corridor (US Rt. 460) are publicly owned and operated. The significant advantage of publicly owned industrial property is the opportunity for an expedient project, but it can also mean the establishment of a long standing working relationship between the company and the locality. The newest industrial site is a 110-acre Bedford Center For Business, which is operated by the Bedford City/County Joint Industrial Development Authority.

The County and the City also each have an office of Economic Development with professional staff members who can facilitate expansions and relocations. In addition each locality has an active Industrial Development Authority to assist new or expanding companies with projects and offer tax exempt industrial revenue bond financing as an option for qualifying industries, and may provide incentive assistance for qualifying projects.

Major Industries

• Bedford Weaving - Textile Manufacturing - 170 employees
• Brooks Food Group - Frozen Foods - 185 employees
• Georgia Pacific - Paper products - 400 employees
• InService America - Call Center - 350 employees
• Mail America - Direct Mail - 275 employees
• Piedmont Label/Smyth Co. - Litho-flexo printing - 145 employees
•  Sam Moore Furniture/Lazy Boy -  Furniture - 379 employees
• Andrew Corporation - Circuit boards - 115 employees
• Barr Laboratories - Generic pharmaceuticals - 365 employees
• Frank Chervan - Wood frames for furniture - 140 employees
• Sentry Equipment Erectors -  Equipment manufacture - 200 employees

Bedford City

Elizabeth Berry-Mosley
Economic Development Manager
City of Bedford
P.O. Drawer 807
Bedford,  VA  24523
Phone:  (540) 587-6020 | Fax:  (540) 587-6143
email: elizabeth@bedfordva.gov

Website: www.bedfordva.gov

Bedford County

Sue Montgomery
Director of Economic Development for Bedford County
Bedford County Administration Building
122 East Main Street, Ste 206
Bedford, VA 24523
Phone: (540) 587-5670 | Fax: (540) 587-0243
e-mail: s.montgomery@co.bedford.va.us
Website: www.co.bedford.va.us

Labor Force

The Bedford area labor force is adequate for existing and future industrial needs. Workers are plentiful in the area as well as the Lynchburg MSA of which Bedford is a part, due to proximity to Roanoke and Lynchburg, the labor force within a 30 mile radius of Bedford is in excess of ¼ million. 

Twenty-nine percent of the Bedford area work force is employed in manufacturing. Services, retail trade, local government and construction are the next largest employers. Workforce training and development is available through the Virginia Employment Commission and local community colleges.

Finance

The Bedford area is served by eight national and local banking corporations. Automated teller machines are conveniently located throughout the city and county. Industrial Development Authorities in the city and county are authorized to issue tax-exempt revenue bonds.

Taxes and Tax Rates

Transportation

Highways
Three interregional highways pass through or are easily accessible from the Bedford area:

• US 460 (Lynchburg to Roanoke) connecting with I-81 near Roanoke and
• US 29 accessible in Lynchburg
• US 501 linking the Shenandoah Valley with central North Carolina
• US 221 connecting Lynchburg & Bedford
• US 122 connecting Bedford and the Smith Mountain Lake areas.

Railroads
The east-west line of Norfolk Southern RR connects the agricultural Midwest, the industrial Great Lakes and the Allegheny coal fields with the Atlantic Coast. AMTRAK passenger service is available in Lynchburg.

Airports

The Lynchburg and Roanoke Regional Airports provide air service to the Bedford area. Commercial air service is provided by US Airways Express, Delta Connection, United Express, Comair, ASA and Northwest with many daily departures and arrivals. Limousine service and rental cars are available at both airports.

Ports

The Bedford area is located approximately 220 miles from the Ports of Virginia, which include one of the finest natural harbors in the world and three inland river ports. Bedford is also 325 miles from the port of Baltimore, Maryland, and 495 miles from the port of New York.

Motor Carriers

Major trucking firms provide excellent daily carrier service to the Bedford area.