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Economic Development

Bedford County is the fastest-growing county west of Richmond and boasts a strong, diversified economy, with a mix of industry, commerce, tourism, and agriculture. A strong and diverse labor market provides excellent resources for companies from manufacturing facilities to high-tech operations. According to Bedford County’s Office of Economic Development, manufacturing accounts for nearly 10 percent of Bedford County’s employment mix, but these businesses are not the traditional manufacturing with masses of employees working on a single product line handling just one step in a process. Today’s manufacturers are technology specialists involving employees in problem-solving and running multi-million dollar automated machinery and robotics lines.

A dynamic mix of agriculture, industry, tourism, and retail gives the region a strong economic base. The industries are varied, ranging from agriculture and forestry to nuclear energy and wireless communication. This diverse mix of industry employs more than 35,000 people and more than 15 companies employing 100 people or more.

Major Employers Include: (Bold text indicates Chamber members)

Bedford Weaving Mills
Centra Bedford Memorial Hospital
Cintas
Coleman-Adams Construction
Custom Truck One Source
Generation Solutions
Georgia-Pacific
Innovairre
L3Harris Corporation
RST Marketing Associates
Sam Moore Furniture
Sentry Equipment Erectors
Smyth Companies
Valtim

“Bedford County and this region have a long history and reputation for innovation and entrepreneurship,” says Pam Bailey, Director of Economic Development. “We have talented machine shops throughout the region and dozens of advanced manufacturing firms that make everything from precision optics and thin film coatings for the military and medical industries to complex conveyor systems used by brands across the globe.”

We offer a pro-business climate and our industrial space is plentiful. Four business and industrial parks are available in the county: Montvale Center of Commerce, Bedford Center for Business, New London Business and Technology Center, and Little Otter Business Park. US 460 is our major east-west, four-lane divided highway that connects Bedford to both Lynchburg and Roanoke, and the east-west line of Norfolk Southern Railroad connects the agricultural Midwest, the industrial Great Lakes and the Allegheny coalfields with the Atlantic Coast and the Port of Virginia. Bedford County is the fastest growing county west of Richmond and is in a prime location within a day’s drive of all major mid-Atlantic markets. All of this makes the Bedford area a convenient location to do business.

As a dynamic organization committed to managed growth and development, the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce facilitates change by partnering with business, education, government, and community. These collaborative efforts and community support play a large role in creating such a positive business climate here in Bedford County.

“The Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce has evolved and grown into a vital organization over the years,” says David Herrick of BB&T Scott & Stringfellow, past Chamber Board Chairman. “It provides a platform for legislative issues involving business and it offers training for small business and potential leaders in our community. The Chamber provides opportunities for networking among all business people and it continues to look for ways to enhance and support the business community.”

Here in Bedford County, we have easy access to a variety of entertaining and unforgettable recreational and historical venues. Destinations including the Blue Ridge Parkway, wineries and breweries, bike trails, golf and disc golf courses, the National D-Day Memorial and Smith Mountain Lake make it the perfect place for families to enjoy. Our low taxes, excellent schools, and a welcoming environment, makes Bedford County a perfect location for your company and employees to thrive.

For more information on starting or relocating a business in the Town of Bedford or Bedford County, utilize the following resources.

Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce
Kayla Waller
President/CEO
305 E. Main Street
Bedford, VA 24523
540-586-9401, ext. 101

Bedford County Economic Development
Pam Bailey
Economic Development Director
122 E. Main Street, Suite 202
Bedford, VA 24523
540-587-5670
bedfordeconomicdevelopment.com

Bedford County
Robert Hiss
Bedford County Administrator
122 E. Main Street
Bedford, VA 24523
540-587-5670

Town of Bedford
Mary Zirkle
Economic Development Coordinator
215 E. Main Street
Bedford, VA 24523
540-587-6006
www.betterinbedford.com

Small Business Development Center – Lynchburg Region
Stephanie Keener
Executive Director
300 Lucado Place
Lynchburg, VA 24504
434-845-5966, ext. 30
SBDCLynchburgRegion.org

Virginia Career Works | Central Virginia Workforce Development Board
Traci Blido
Executive Director
828 Main Street, 12th Floor
Lynchburg, VA 24504
434-845-5678, ext. 221
virginiacareerworks.com