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Bedford Business First
News from Bedford County Office of Economic Development -March 2016
Bedford County by the numbers

Dec. 2015

Civilian Labor Workforce 37.539
Unemploy-ment rate
4%
Unemployed Individuals
1,489
Advertised jobs 328*

*Advertised jobs in Bedford County - VEC Mar. 2016
About our office
 
The Office of Economic Development is responsible for planning, developing, and directing business and economic development programs and services in Bedford County, Virginia.

Traci Blido
Director
540-587-5670 ext. 1371


Jessica Hupp
Business Programs Coordinator
540-587-5670 ext. 1375
email 
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Bedford receives IRF grant for brewery project

Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced Monday that two Lynchburg-area projects will receive $786,000 from the state Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF). Bedford County will receive $600,000 of the $786,000. Read the News & Advance Article here .
Bedford Main Street receives downtown investment grant

Gov. McAuliffe announce on February 24, 2016 that $20,000 in  funding for downtown investment would be awarded to Bedford, Virginia. This grant will be utilized to establish a Zero-Interest Loan Program to assist entrepreneurs and will accelerate the economic revit alization of the Bedford Main Street district by helping implement innovative strategies, plans, and programs. Read more.
 Economic Development Authority welcomes new member 
 
The Bedford County Economic Development Auhtority (EDA) welcomed a new member this month. Kelly Harmony, who is a native of Bedford, was sworn in on January 20, 2016. Read more.
Bedford County Fair places at Virginia Association of Fairs conference
The Virginia Association of Fairs (VAF), which serves to educate and boost productivity of fairs across thecommonwealth to enhance the economic growth and development of Virginia communities, held its annual conference this past January. After a 45-year hiatus, the Bedford County Fair joined the VAF and left its first annual conference with 6 different awards. Read more.
2016 Business Roundtable dates set
The Office of Economic Development has selected its 2016 Quarterly Business Roundtable event dates in order for our businesses to plan ahead.
  • May 2016 (Bedford - Business Appreciation evening event)
  • Sept. 22, 2016 (Forest)
  • Dec. 8, 2016 
Please plan to attend each of these events to stay connected with the county and business community! We will keep you updated as more event details emerge.
May declared Business Appreciation month

Gov. McAuliffe has declared May as Business Appreciation month! In order to celebrate our business community, we will be co-hosting a Business Appreciation event in Bedford during the month of May. Be on the lookout for updates on the event as they evolve!

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