Chamber Takes a Big Step Forward

By: The News & Advance | The News & Advance
Published: January 27, 2012

The Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce has been a key player in Central Virginia since the day it was founded in 1883.

As the region’s economy ebbed and waned, grown and changed, the Chamber has been there, serving as a voice for the business community, promoting local companies and local employers and pushing economic development opportunities.

Thursday afternoon, Chamber leaders unveiled one of the most ambitious projects in the organization’s 129-year history: a $2.9 million capital fund drive for its new headquarters off the Lynchburg Expressway.

The Chamber recently purchased the old Billy Joe’s Ice Cream Parlor building from Liberty University for $427,500, after LU reduced the original $1.1 million asking price. Architects have devised plans to turn the former restaurant into a 10,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art office and meeting space.

The accomplishments and the business advocacy work of the Lynchburg Chamber have garnered national attention. Of the 234 accredited chambers of commerce in the United States, Lynchburg ranks in the top 1 percent that have achieved 5-Star Accreditation ... not just once, but twice.

That recognition has come as a result of the Chamber’s long involvement in the civic and business life of Central Virginia. The Chamber has been at the forefront of community improvement projects for decades, going back to 1921 when it led efforts to create the Lynchburg Community Chest, which evolved into the United Way of Central Virginia. Advocating and lobbying for more passenger rail opportunities in this part of Virginia resulted in Amtrak adding an additional train to Washington, D.C. The Chamber has also been a fierce advocate of the U.S. 29 Corridor, especially in keeping pressure on state officials to build Charlottesville Bypass. And the list just goes on and on.

The work of the Chamber, directly or indirectly, impacts the lives of every resident of Central Virginia. It is the face of our region to the nation’s business community and at home is a fierce advocate of our community, always working to push the region forward.

If you would like to contribute to the Chamber’s “Building for Lynchburg’s Future” efforts, just call the office at 845-5966 or contact them through the website, www.lynchburgchamber.org.

The bottomline? When the Chamber prospers, we all prosper.