By: Megan Lucas

2024 marked a year of significant accomplishments for the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance. As the regional catalyst for business solutions, a convener of leadership across business and civic sectors, and a champion for all things commerce, we made great strides. Guided by our four foundational pillars—enhancing the business climate, cultivating talent, generating jobs and capital investment, and promoting the region’s brand and image globally—we achieved impactful successes that are shaping the future of our region.

Enhancing the Business Climate

In 2024, we advanced our mission to strengthen the regional business climate through key initiatives housed in our Center for Entrepreneurship, advocacy programs, and robust membership engagement.

The Center for Entrepreneurship, a physical hub located at the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance, has become a cornerstone of support
for startups, entrepreneurs, and existing businesses. This center provides hands-on training, development resources, and access to subject matter experts for businesses across the region. Additionally, we continued to grow the 140 Fund, a revolving loan fund designed to serve as a financial gap-filler for small businesses. In 2025, we aim to complete fundraising efforts for the 140 Fund and open it to the business community, enabling more businesses to access critical financial resources.

Advocacy remains a cornerstone of our work. Our efforts to influence policies impacting regional businesses included hosting federal and state legislators for tours and meetings, giving our business community a platform to voice their perspectives on the benefits and challenges of legislative action. These conversations continue to drive meaningful progress in reducing barriers to business growth and ensuring our region remains competitive.

Workforce development continues to be a key focus of the Region. Recognizing the persistent challenges facing our business community,
we leveraged our partnerships to advance initiatives outlined in the Regional Workforce Roadmap.

In 2024, we launched the region’s first Educators Workforce Academy, a groundbreaking initiative designed to connect K-12 educators with the realities of today’s workforce. More than 80 faculty and staff members from regional schools participated, gaining firsthand knowledge of the skills and career opportunities available in manufacturing and other technical fields.

By bridging the gap between education and industry, the Academy is helping to ensure students understand the diverse career pathways available to them—right here in our region.

Our efforts extend beyond the classroom. In 2025, the Alliance will build on these successes by expanding initiatives like the Relocate Lynchburg guide, enhancing apprenticeship and internship opportunities, and continuing to educate educators, students, and families about the region’s vast career prospects. These efforts are all aimed at retaining and cultivating a skilled workforce that will drive our regional economy forward.

Looking Ahead to 2025

While we celebrate the accomplishments of 2024, the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance is setting its sights on the opportunities and challenges ahead in 2025.

We are not merely participants in the economic narrative of our region; we are active creators. From fostering innovation and entrepreneurship to advocating for business-friendly policies, our commitment to driving growth is unwavering.

The Lynchburg region is more than a place to live and work—it’s a place where the future is being built. As one of the best college towns in the nation, we attract some of the brightest minds from around the globe who come here to learn, innovate, and stay. The energy is here. The work is here. The innovation is here.

Our region is powering the pipeline of talent, packaging the present, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. We’re not waiting for the next big thing—we’re creating it. Together with our partners and community, we’re ensuring that tomorrow’s advancements are today’s action items.

In 2025, the Alliance will remain laser-focused on fostering business success, building a thriving workforce, and amplifying the Lynchburg region’s competitive advantages. With collaboration, vision, and determination, the possibilities are limitless.

The Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance knows business—big, small, and everything in between. We are excited for what lies ahead and remain committed to forging a prosperous future for the Lynchburg region. Let’s build it together.

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