Celebrating manufacturing’s expansion and opportunity
By: Megan Lucas, CEO Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance
Manufacturing has long been a cornerstone of the Lynchburg economy, and the numbers tell a powerful story. Today, 15 percent of our regional economy is driven by manufacturing, representing 331 manufacturers who design, build, and deliver products that reach well beyond our borders. The sector provides not just jobs, but high-quality careers, with an average annual wage of $77,201, well above the regional average. More than 15,000 of our family members, friends, and neighbors work in manufacturing, underscoring the sector’s vital role in creating prosperity for families across the region.
This year, the Lynchburg region has witnessed a series of exciting expansions and announcements that highlight the strength, resilience, and future promise of our manufacturing base.
These investments are not just about buildings or equipment; they are about people, jobs that sustain households, opportunities for young professionals, and pathways for long-term career growth.
Major Expansions and Announcements in 2025
Companies across the Lynchburg region have been investing in growth, signaling long-term confidence in our workforce and business climate.
Together, Becknell Industrial, Air Filter Systems, Delta Star, Campbell County EDA, Amazon, Blue Ridge Beverage, and Integrity Mechanical have announced or launched projects in 2025 that total:
• Over 558,000 square feet of new or redeveloped industrial and distribution space
• $89.9 million in capital investment
• More than 354 new jobs created
Individually, these announcements reflect a diverse mix of growth:
• Becknell Industrial is constructing a 250,000 sq. ft. warehouse.
• Air Filter Systems LLC is opening a 20,000 sq. ft. facility, adding 30 new jobs.
• Delta Star is undertaking their second expansion in two years that will create 300 new jobs.
• Campbell County EDA broke ground on a 100,000 sq. ft. speculative building, ensuring future growth opportunities.
• Amazon announced a 78,000 sq. ft. distribution center, bringing 24 new jobs.
• Blue Ridge Beverage is relocating into a new 80,000 sq. ft. facility.
• Integrity Mechanical is investing in a 30,000 sq. ft. facility.
These announcements are more than just numbers on a page; they represent the Lynchburg region’s ongoing transformation into a vibrant center for modern manufacturing and distribution. Each new facility, each dollar invested, and each new job created reflects a shared confidence in the region’s workforce, infrastructure, and future.
A critical driver of this momentum is the region’s robust economic development team, working hand-in-hand with pro-growth elected officials and EDA’s. Together, they are committed to attracting and retaining high-wage jobs, expanding the local tax base, and ensuring that growth today translates into sustained prosperity tomorrow. This alignment between business, government, and community leadership sets the Lynchburg Region apart as a model for collaborative progress.
Manufacturers here also know they can depend on a strong pipeline of talent, supported by initiatives like the Worlds of Opportunity Hands-On Career Expo, which introduces middle school students to high-demand careers, and the Educators Workforce Academy, which connects K–12 educators with local employers. Programs like these ensure that as new jobs are created, residents are prepared to step into them.
Beyond jobs, manufacturing enriches the fabric of the community. It provides opportunities for young people to build rewarding careers without leaving the region, supports small businesses through supply chain partnerships, and contributes to tax revenues that fund schools, public safety, and infrastructure.
The Lynchburg region has always been defined by innovation, hard work, and resilience. From traditional industries to advanced manufacturing, the region’s employers are creating the products and technologies that keep America running. The announcements of 2025 demonstrate that our region is not just keeping pace with economic change, we are leading the way, powering the possibilities.
As we celebrate National Manufacturing Month, it is worth remembering that the strength of our economy comes from the people behind the numbers.
It comes from the welder in Altavista, the engineer at Delta Star, the technician at Air Filter Systems, and the driver delivering goods from Blue Ridge Beverage or Amazon. These individuals are more than workers; they are neighbors, parents, coaches, and volunteers who make our communities stronger every day.
Manufacturing matters in the Lynchburg region. It matters because it provides high-wage jobs, builds careers, fuels innovation, and strengthens
our communities. With 331 manufacturers, 15,000 workers, nearly $90 million in new investments this year, and a dedicated team of leaders focused on growth, the Lynchburg region is not just celebrating Manufacturing Month, we are living it.
As we look to the future, one thing is clear: the Lynchburg region is growing, and manufacturing will continue to be the driving force that moves us forward.
