Automation + Sustainability = A Killer Combination Anthony Martin loves that every day brings new challenges. Most of those challenges fall neatly into two categories. “Good bread depends on time and temperature,” Martin says. As Plant Manager for Lynchburg Organic Baking Company, a Flowers Foods bakery, Martin says environmental conditions can trigger process adjustments—”especially when you’re working with organic ingredients.” Lately, fewer of those adjustments are required, thanks to an expansion and facilities adjustment three years ago that automated a significant number of the bakery’s ..read more

The James River Arts & Cultural District Program is intended to attract citizens, organizations, and consortiums that wish to create and execute projects within the Arts & Cultural District to benefit the welfare of the citizens of Lynchburg. The term “project” may include events, activities, capital investments, promotions, improvements, displays, or like pursuits that serve to further arts and culture in the District.  The James River Arts & Culture Program application opens annually September 1st, and closes October 31st. All projects must take place within the James River ..read more

Project SEARCH Creates Workforce Opportunities for Young Adults with Disabilities in LYH By Robin Sutton Anders  If we all just loved our neighbor, what a different world this would be. That’s the belief that drives Lynchburg City Schools educator Amanda Myers-Ramirez. “We say that a lot of times in our home as a family, and it’s why my husband, Brian, and I are in a position of service to our school and community.” For the last 20 years, Myers-Ramirez has worked in special education. Today, she serves as the lead instructor for a Lynchburg City Schools Program called Project SEARCH, w ..read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 8th, 2024 Airstream Ventures Announces United Flag Football League Partnership with The City of Lynchburg Office of Economic Development and Tourism Lynchburg, Virginia – Airstream Ventures announced today a groundbreaking partnership with the City of Lynchburg Office of Economic Development and Tourism to bring the United Flag Football League to the heart of Lynchburg. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in promoting sports tourism and community engagement in the region. The event, slated to take place on July 27th and 28th, 2024 at the Central Virg ..read more

What is an Enterprise Zone? The Virginia Enterprise Zone program is a partnership between state and local government that encourages job creation and private investment. Enterprise Zones throughout the state provide two grant-based incentives, the Job Creation Grant (JCG) and the Real Property Investment Grant (RPIG), to qualified investors and job creators within those zones. The City of Lynchburg manages two Enterprise Zones, providing investment incentives covering 4,200 acres of commercial property. In our Enterprise Zones, both state and local incentives combine to support existing busine ..read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 14, 2023 Framatome to invest $49.4 million in City of Lynchburg facility, creating 515 new jobs LYNCHBURG, VA – Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced that Framatome, an international leader in nuclear energy, will invest $49.4 million to expand, modernize, and enhance its facilities in the City of Lynchburg to meet increased demand for servicing existing nuclear power plants and developing solutions for advanced and small modular reactors. Virginia successfully competed with North Carolina and Pennsylvania for the project, which will create 515 new jobs. “We ..read more

Shane Stimpson’s Path to Nuclear   It’s not every day that a high school science experiment sparks a career in nuclear engineering. But Shane Stimpson didn’t go to just any high school. Stimpson attended the Lynchburg-based Central Virginia Governor’s School, a magnet school for juniors and seniors focused on science and technology. “I was able to do an experiment where we irradiated samples of the element tungsten,” he remembers. “We sent the samples off to the Breazeale Reactor at Pennsylvania State University. It seemed pretty crazy—I think it still kind of is. There are only a handful ..read more

Each year, the Office of Economic Development & Tourism compiles an extensive report, featuring our department’s work completed over the past fiscal year, notable achievements, and the latest data pertaining to economic development and tourism in LYH. We are especially grateful for our partners, organizations, and businesses that help drive these initiatives in our community, making LYH a better city for our residents, workforce, students, and visitors.  Read Our Annual Report Our Goals  Support and grow LYH businesses and destination assets Position LYH as the best small city ..read more

History Buffalo Air Handling has been around for more than 100 years, beginning in 1878 as Buffalo Forge, which specialized in the manufacture of blacksmith forges. The company quickly grew, and the product line included fans, dust collectors, industrial steam engines, and factory machinery. Early in the 20th century, Buffalo Forge began designing key elements of modern air conditioning systems, thus becoming a leader in the air handling/heating and cooling technology field. When custom air handling units emerged as a specific market need in the mid-20th century, the company grew and expanded ..read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 17, 2023 Governor Glenn Youngkin Announces Funding for $500k in Mixed Use on Main Street Grant for the City of Lynchburg Lynchburg, VA – On September 15, 2023, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced $1 million in Mixed Use on Main Street (MUMS) funding for two projects in the City of Lynchburg and the City of Martinsville. The LYH project was awarded $500,000 to the Economic Development Authority of the City of Lynchburg (EDA) to transform the former A&P grocery store at 400 12th Street into a commercial and residential space. AC Capital LLC will renovate the form ..read more