FROM EXPANSIONS TO NEW PRODUCTS, WE BELIEVE YOU’LL BE HEARING A LOT ABOUT THESE BUSINESSES IN 2021.
Bausch + Lomb
1501 Graves Mill Rd., Lynchburg
The company announced in 2020 that it will invest more than $35 million to expand its manufacturing facility, creating 79 new jobs over the next five years. This includes the purchase of 13 acres of land adjacent to its current site for a 190,000-square-foot expansion to provide U.S. distribution for its contact lens products.
Flowers Foods
1905 Hollins Mill Rd., Lynchburg
In 2020, Flowers Foods announced a $25 million investment to expand and transform its bakery into an organic facility, creating 15 new jobs. The expansion will help the company meet the increasing demand for Dave’s Killer Bread. Virginia successfully competed with other states for the project.
Affordable Wheelchair Lifts
147 Mill Ridge Rd., Lynchburg
Affordable Wheelchair Lifts is operating out of the Small Business Development Center and is growing fast. After purchasing one for a family member, the owner felt called to make sure more people knew about these lifts that are made in the U.S.
Integrated Technology Group, Inc.
159 Old Dominion Dr., Madison Heights
When one of their longtime vendors presented an apparatus that could provide contact-free screening, Integrated Technology Group immediately recognized an opportunity to be a small part of the solution. ITG’s “Thermal Detection Systems” have allowed businesses, schools, local governments, and medical practices to safely reopen their doors during the pandemic.
Damage Prevention Solutions, LLC
Lot 3B, New London Business & Technology Center park
In late 2020, Damage Prevention Solutions broke ground on a 10,000-square-foot building in the New London Business & Technology Center park. The company makes a signal tape that sends up smoke where you should not dig.
NanoTouch Solutions
1053 E London Park Dr., Forest
After being slammed with requests for their self-cleaning surfaces, NanoTouch Solutions is expanding its existing facility in the New London Business & Technology Center park. They are doubling their site and adding new equipment, as well as some new employees, to keep up with demand.
Blue Ridge Optics
1617 Longwood Ave., Bedford
A supplier of custom, made-to-order and standard laser optics and optical polishing components, Blue Ridge Optics’ products can be utilized in a variety of industries. This Bedford-based business continues to grow and invent new products and applications in their industry.
Balance Gymnastics
1481 Doss Rd., Concord
Even after opening in June 2020 during the pandemic, Balance Gymnastics is thriving. They also offer the only pole vaulting training facility within a two-hour radius.
The Lunchbox and Catering
619 Village Hwy., Rustburg
The Lunchbox overcame several challenges in 2020—adjusting to operations under COVID-19 restrictions as well as a move to a new location. From a sandwich for one to a large catering order, the Lunchbox is a local favorite with a bright future.
C&C Piping
853 Lynch Mill Rd., Altavista
According to Campbell County officials, C&C Piping has demonstrated true leadership during the pandemic as they completely revised how they market their services. They continue to present themselves as true professionals in the small business and welding/fabrication community.
Virginia Metal Fab
9056 Oakville Rd., Gladstone
Owner Ron Martin and his staff persevered through the initial slowdown due to COVID-19. They saw their business rebound as 2020 progressed to the point where they started making new investments in state-of-the-art equipment and are looking to grow their customer base.
