Member News
Sweet Briar College engineering students can now get accepted into graduate school as early as junior year
View story at The News & Advance...Juniors and seniors at Sweet Briar College will have the opportunity to secure a spot in two master's degree in engineering programs after a recent partnership. Sweet Briar College has entered into two agreements — with Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia — to try and accelerate students’ paths to obtaining their master's in engineering. In an interview, Sweet Briar President Mary Pope Hutson told The News & Advance she “really appreciates” the partnership and
'Second to none:' JD's Cafe celebrates opening in Boonsboro
View story at ABC13 WSET...There was a celebration in Boonsboro Friday for the opening of JD's Cafe. The restaurant, which has a new location in the Boonsboro Shopping Center, held its ribbon cutting with the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance.The restaurant serves southern comfort food, all made to order; from barbeque, to po-boys, to meatloaf. There are options for just about everyone.Everything I make myself homemade," Owner Julian Davis said. "We do macaroni and cheese, salmon cakes. We do baby back
YMCA of Central Virginia Celebrates Successful Healthy Kids Day Across All Three Locations
The YMCA of Central Virginia is proud to announce the overwhelming success of this year’s Healthy Kids Day, held on April 20th at all three locations. Healthy Kids Day is part of a nationwide initiative from all YMCAs which aims to improve the health and well-being of kids. YMCA of CVA drew in more than 100 families who enjoyed a day packed with activities designed to encourage active and healthy lifestyles. A Day of Fun, Fitness, and Community Engagement This year’s Healthy Kids Day was a vibrant
Centra announces collaboration with Freedom 4/24
Read story at The News & Advance...Led by April Rasmussen, a forensic nurse at Centra, and her team of forensic nurses at Lynchburg General Hospital, Centra is taking proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of all patients by creating education for nurses and providers on how to identify victims of human trafficking, a news release states.Rasmussen collaborated with Lynchburg-based nonprofit, Freedom 4/24, to develop a tailored policy and educational program to address the issue. Drawing
L3HARRIS TO EXPAND AND MODERNIZE SOLID ROCKET MOTOR MANUFACTURING IN VIRGINIA
L3Harris Technologies [NYSE:LHX] has entered into an agreement with Orange County, Virginia, to fund the expansion and modernization of the company’s site in the county. The effort is intended to increase solid rocket motor production while growing the company’s presence in the Commonwealth. L3Harris plans to construct new facilities, purchase new equipment and hire 80 new employees over the next three years. The majority of the $41.2 million investment will come from the cooperative agreement Aerojet
Kiwanis Club of Lynchburg Teddy Bear Night at the Ballpark
The Kiwanis Club of Lynchburg, founded in 1920,has a long history of fun community activities in addition to serving and educating. Back in 1986 for Lynchburg's Bicentennial the Club held a Teddy Bear parade commemorating the milestone. Starting at E.C. Glass High School proceeding to Miller Park, this event became an annual tradition and was well received for 25 years. Several hundred kids and families participated each year in the contests, refreshments, categories for kids to showcase their bears and of
Virginian Welcomes Seasoned Hospitality Leader as New General Manager
A veteran hospitality leader with over three decades of experience. Toby F. Tomko joined The Virginian Hotel in April 2024. In his role as General Manager. Tomko oversees all aspects or the property/day-today operations including management of the hotel's leadership team and more than 80 employees. Tomko's extensive experience spans the hospitality sector leading prestigious hotel. resort. and private country club properties. Tomko gained a deep passion for elevated guest experiences from his tenure at
'A great wash and experience:' ModWash opens on Lawyers Road
See story at ABC13 WSET... The pollen is back with a vengeance and that means if you're like many, your car needs a wash.A new car wash just opened on Lawyers Road in Campbell County called ModWash. They held a ribbon cutting with the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance on Wednesday.This is the 101st ModWash location, and the first in the area.General manager, Terrence Rucker says they're excited to serve Campbell County and hope to bring more locations soon.What we offer to the community is a great wash
Dr. Andrew Pieleck Awarded Fellow of the ACOFP
On April 6, 2024, Dr. Andrew Pieleck, the owner of Access HealthCare Multispecialty Group (AHMG), was honored at the 62nd Annual Convention & Scientific Seminars in New Orleans. The American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) Conclave of Fellows awarded him the title of Fellow of the ACOFP. Being named a Fellow of the ACOFP is a significant professional recognition. It shows a physician's commitment and skill in osteopathic family medicine. Dr. Pieleck, who leads AHMG, has consistently
Lynchburg Area Veterans Council Hosting Founders and Curators of the The Bedford Boys Tribute Center with Special Documentary
Lynchburg Area Veterans Council (LAVC) announces: In honor of the 80th Anniversary of the D Day Invasion on June 6, 1944, LAVC will host Ken and Linda Parker, Founders and Curators of The Bedford Boys Tribute Center With a premier showing of the only documentary ever done on the Bedford Boys: “We have casualties….” On April 17, 2024 10:00 a.m., at the American Legion, 1301 Greenview Drive LYNCHBURG, VA – LAVC. The Lynchburg Area Veterans Council is proud to announce that it will host a premier
'Multiple pathways for Virginians': Youngkin signs workforce development bill in Lynchburg visit
View story at The News & Advance...“You are hired.” Those three words, in Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s view, are the most important in the English language second only to “I love you,” he told a packed room at the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance on Wednesday. On the Republican governor’s stop in Lynchburg to sign Senate Bill 436, legislation that strengthens workforce development efforts in various ways, he said there is dignity in finding work. The bill will create multiple pathways and careers for
Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra announces new Executive Director
LYNCHBURG – The Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra announces that Ula Kauppi will be its new Executive Director, following the retirement of Mike Lewis in May. Ula comes to the LSO with an extensive background in resource development, marketing, and communications at the Free Clinic of Central Virginia, E.C. Glass Theatre, and most recently, United Way of Central Virginia. She has also served on the Board of Trustees at the Academy Center of the Arts for five years. Ula holds the CFRE (Certified Fund Raising
UScellular Announces $20,000 Vacation Sweepstakes Winner
UScellular is excited to announce that the winner of its $20,000 Vacation Sweepstakes is Reese Sadler from Sprout Springs, Va. Reese was presented with a giant $20,000 check at a special celebration held at UScellular Authorized Agent ANW Wireless in Appomattox on Saturday, March 23. The sweepstakes was part of a campaign from UScellular that encourages people to take a break from devices and celebrate human connection over digital use called US Mode. The contest encouraged people across the country to
Joe Bean's announces new location on Lakeside Drive
See story at the News & Advance... A new Joe Bean’s will be opening at 2123 Lakeside Drive this spring. Joe Bean’s Express Espresso, a drive-thru that serves brewed coffee, specialty coffee drinks, fruit smoothies and other beverages and baked items, has locations in Lynchburg and Forest as well as in Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell counties. Owner Linda Brown said construction will begin on the drive-thru trailer on April 8 and will be complete in eight weeks. “So hopefully we would be open a week
From Resistance to Resilience: Black Virginia’s Path to Freedom
Join Red Hill and Moton Museum for a two-day event, From Resistance to Resilience: Black Virginia’s Path to Freedom, honoring the history of Brookneal and Farmville Virgina’s Black communities from 1794 to 1970, the early republic to the civil rights era. This event, in partnership with Moton Museum, will take place at Red Hill on Saturday, April 6 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and continue on Saturday, April 13 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm to honor the courageous movement for racial equality led by student civil
Bruce Phipps Honored with Goodwill Hall of Fame Award
A tribute to the former CEO of Goodwill Industries® of the Valleys Bruce Phipps, the former CEO of Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, has been awarded the prestigious Goodwill Industries International Hall of Fame Award for his outstanding contributions to the Goodwill enterprise. The award ceremony took place in early March as part of the Goodwill Industries International Annual Conference of Executives. Bruce Phipps’ leadership in the Goodwill network began at Goodwill Industries of Lima in 1978.
Local legislatures preview some of their plans ahead of the 2024 General Assembly
See story at The News &Advance...With the General Assembly convening a little more than a month away, the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance hosted “Policy & Pancakes” on Wednesday as a look ahead to the 2024 session. Legislators representing the area had the opportunity to provide their viewpoint on the upcoming session and give a summary of different areas they will work closely on. About 80 people — some university staff, local legislators and city officials — filed into the Liberty University
Attorney General visits Lynchburg, discusses various hot button topics
View story at The News & Advance...Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares visited with area business leaders and lawyers to discuss gang violence, police shortages, fentanyl overdoses and immigration at a roundtable discussion at the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance on Thursday. Miyares pointed out 50% of Americans do not know their neighbors’ names, and he highlighted the alarming rise in drug overdose deaths in the U.S. He criticized the notion that good intentions alone guarantee positive outcomes
Lynchburg Center to lift entrepreneurs
See story at Virginia Business... Months before its opening in late summer or early fall, Lynchburg’s new Center for Entrepreneurship already has gathered about 15 applications from local business owners and professionals seeking to mentor those launching or looking to grow their own companies. That’s a positive sign, says Stephanie Keener, executive director of the Lynchburg region’s Small Business Development Center. In April, she also became director of the hub, which will provide a central location to
Local businesses talk about energy plans
View story at The News & Advance...The Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance hosted its quarterly Business at Breakfast event Thursday morning, bringing in local energy panelists to discuss Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s 2022 Virginia Energy Plan and the region’s role in its implementation. The Lynchburg region is home to two of the world’s largest nuclear companies, BWXT and Framatome, as well as a major manufacturer of industrial power, Delta Star. The 2022 Virginia Energy Plan calls for a nuclear
Delta Star Inc. to Expand Operations in the Lynchburg Region
Lynchburg, VA – Today, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that Delta Star Inc. would expand its operations in the Lynchburg region, adding more than 149 new jobs and $30.2 million in capital investment to our region. Delta Star, a local manufacturer of power equipment such as transformers and substations, will expand its manufacturing and headquarters operation to service its mobile transformers and increase production capacity by adding on to its existing Delta Star East facility in Lynchburg and Field
Best Practices for Businesses to Follow When Managing Business Contracts
A well-written contract not only protects your business from dispute-related liabilities, but is the best tool for holding all parties accountable and ensuring that the mutually agreed expectations are met. While in some cases verbal contracts can be enforced, as a business owner, you should always push for written contracts. In this article, the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance explores the best practices to follow for negotiating and creating business contracts. The Need for Contracts Before we
Young Entrepreneurs: Here’s How to Turn Your Idea Into a Successful Startup in Lynchburg, Virginia
So, you have a great idea for a business. Congratulations! The first step is always the hardest, but now that you've got your foot in the door, it's time to start turning that idea into a reality. In this article, we'll walk you through some of the key steps young entrepreneurs need to take to turn their ideas into successful startups in Lynchburg, Virginia.Writing a Business Plan The first step is to write a business plan. This may seem like an insurmountable task, but it's important to have a roadmap
Get Your Lynchburg, VA Small Business Ready for the Holidays!
The holidays are a magical time of year. Families come together, friends exchange gifts, and everyone is in good spirits. 'Tis the season for giving, after all! But if you own a small business, the holidays can also be a stressful time. There's so much to do to get ready for the holiday rush. But don't worry, we're here to help. Here's a checklist from the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance of everything you need to do to get your small business ready for the holiday season.1. Decorate Your Store to
Effective Technology for Small Businesses in Lynchburg, VA
The business environment is rapidly changing thanks to innovation. Technology transforms the workspace by streamlining processes, automating functions, integrating systems, and enhancing security. However, the size of your business affects the cost-effectiveness of the invested technology. For startups and small businesses, having the right technology is one thing, but affordability is another significant aspect. Your business can only enjoy the benefits of practical, scalable, and reasonably-priced
Tips on How to Get Your Foot in the Door If You’re a Creative in Lynchburg
If you're a creative who’s just starting out, you’ve probably spent more time trying to get your foot in the door than on perfecting your craft. That said, it probably goes with the territory if you’re trying to make a name for yourself. Nonetheless, it still is possible to get noticed by following these helpful tips.Focus on your media kit Your media kit will preview what you’re capable of, which is why it’s important to perfect it if you want to get noticed quickly. A media kit will also provide a
American Airlines Expands LYH Flight Schedule
LYNCHBURG, October 1, 2020 ─ On the heels of a continuing recovery in local airline passenger demand, American Airlines will offer an additional regional jet flight at Lynchburg Regional Airport (LYH) starting October 8, 2020. The new service will increase American’s service to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) to four roundtrip flights most days, while doubling the airport’s monthly seat capacity compared to its COVID-19 April 2020 low point. The additional flight frequency by American is in
(“ORDER OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY FIVE REQUIREMENT TO WEAR FACE COVERING WHILE INSIDE BUILDINGS'')
As you are aware, Governor Northam and VDH issued Executive Order 63 – Order of Public Health Emergency Five (“ORDER OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY FIVE REQUIREMENT TO WEAR FACE COVERING WHILE INSIDE BUILDINGS”). The Order requires patrons in the Commonwealth age ten and over…to cover their mouth and nose with a face covering…when entering, exiting, traveling through, and spending time inside” businesses listed in the Order. It requires employees to wear face coverings over their nose and mouth at all times