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Bedford Business First
Your news update from the Bedford County Office of Economic Development - January 2013
Bedford reversion approved
 
Bedford will become an incorporated town within Bedford County on July 1, 2013 and we couldn't be happier.
 
We are often asked what this means for economic development.  To put it simply, we see it as a positive event for the Bedford region. We will gain additional assets such as vacant, "leasable" buildings and enterprise zone benefits for qualifying companies and Bedford city officials are hopeful that reversion will remove "artificial barriers" that have hindered economic development in the City. 
 
We want to build on our already strong relationship with the City and find new ways to work together.
 
If you are a business in the City, we would love to come for a visit/tour and learn about your company so we can better serve you in the near future.
 
Please give us a call to schedule a meeting today at 540-587-5670 or email us here.

 

- Traci Blido
Director, Economic Develoment

Quick Links:


Positive economic indicators seen at local level 
 
Mail America celebrates additional facility.
Despite the uncertainty that we hear about every day at the federal level, the economic signs at the local level tell a different story. The unemployment rate continues to decline putting more Bedford County residents to work (Nearly 500 people found jobs locally in 2012 according to the Virginia Employment Commission's reporting data). The county's unemployment rate (Oct. 2012) is 5.4%, down from 5.9% same time last year. In the City of Bedford, the rate also decreased slightly from 8.7% to 8.6%.
 
Our local sales, occupancy, and meals tax collections came in over the county's budgeted expectations, meaning that residents are spending more on retail, groceries, hotels and restaurants than predicted. And among the local manufacturing and services companies that we've spoken with, they are experiencing modest, but increased sales and orders over last year. 
 
Forestry Equipment of Virginia's 42,000 square foot new addition.

During 2012, our office, along with the Bedford County Economic Development Authority, had the pleasure of assisting several local companies in expansion projects totaling nearly $10 million in combined new investment and creating more than 110 new jobs.

 

Thank you for all you do to make our county the best place to live and to work! 

Next Bedford Business Roundtable to be held Jan. 17            
 
Bedford area businesses are invited to attend our next Business Roundtable meeting on Jan. 17 at 8 a.m. at the Bedford Welcome Center. 
 
Come and hear from the new CVCC Bedford Center Coordinator Patrick Gatti and let us know how your business is doing.
 
Light breakfast will be served.  For more details or to register, please contact Diana Cocke at dcocke@bedfordcountyva.gov or call 540-587-5670.
 
Farm Transition Workshop to be held Jan. 15 at Bedford CVCC 

Event to promote farmland preservation and address generational farming concerns and opportunities

 

The Bedford Agricultural Economic Development Advisory Board and the Bedford County Farm Bureau Young Farmers Committee are pleased to announce a free Farm Link and Transition Workshop to be held January 15, 2013, 6:30 - 9 p.m. at Central Virginia Community College in Bedford, Virginia.  

 
This event is hosted in partnership with the Office of Farmland Preservation of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) and is open to anyone interested in learning more about transitioning or preserving farmland. 
 
See event flyer here.

  

 
Bedford One Program now planning Winter/Spring tours

 

A group of students learn about the health industry from a Bedford Memorial Hospital employee.

Bedford County's One Program provides high school students the opportunity to learn about employment opportunities that they otherwise may not have known existed. 

 

The One Program Steering Committee meets monthly to plan tours for students and to implement strategies to encourage more students to go into high demand careers. They have arranged a series of tours through the end of this school year.

 

More than 30 area businesses have so far participated in this valuable program for nearly 1,000 students since 2008. If you are willing to host a group of Bedford County students at your company this year, please contact Existing Business Coordinator Diana Cocke at 540-587-5670.

  

Special thanks to this year's Steering Committee members: Dr. Fred Conner, Barbara Rezzonico, Josselyn Gregory, Susan Hogg, Bob Ingram, De De Edwards, Dora Gaither, Heather Miller, Jim Burns, Stephanie Hart, Susan Martin, Diana Cocke, and Traci Blido.

  

Bedford County Office of Economic Development
Traci Blido, Director
540-587-5670