Exploring the Impacts of the Virginia Small Business Development Center – Lynchburg Region
By: Megan Lucas, CEO of Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance
Small businesses are more than an important part of our economy—they are the foundation of it.
They create jobs, introduce new ideas, revitalize our downtowns, strengthen our neighborhoods, and contribute to the quality of life that attracts talent and investment. Every successful entrepreneur creates opportunities that extend far beyond the walls of their business, generating economic activity, supporting local suppliers, and helping build resilient communities. That is why investing in entrepreneurs is one of the smartest investments to make for the long-term prosperity of the Lynchburg region.
The Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance is proud to partner with the Virginia SBDC – Lynchburg Region because its mission aligns so closely with our own: helping businesses start, grow, and succeed. One of the greatest advantages the SBDC offers is that its services are completely complimentary. Entrepreneurs and existing business owners have access to confidential, professional business advising, educational workshops, market research, financial guidance, and specialized expertise, all at no cost. Whether you’re launching your first business, navigating a period of growth, seeking financing, or exploring new markets, the SBDC provides the kind of trusted counsel that can save business owners both time and costly missteps.
Serving Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, and Campbell counties, along with the City of Lynchburg, the Virginia SBDC – Lynchburg Region is part of Virginia’s statewide Small Business Development Center Network, the Commonwealth’s premier business assistance program. While its reach extends across Virginia, its impact is deeply local, helping entrepreneurs turn ideas into businesses and helping established companies become stronger, more competitive employers.
That impact is evident throughout our region. In 2025 alone, the Virginia SBDC – Lynchburg Region office provided one-on-one advising to 146 entrepreneurs and business owners while hosting 51 workshops and training programs that attracted more than 600 participants. Those figures represent far more than appointments and attendance. They reflect business owners making better-informed decisions, entrepreneurs gaining the confidence to launch new ventures, companies positioning themselves for growth, and local employers strengthening the economic fabric of our communities.
At the Alliance, we often say that economic development is not simply about recruiting new employers. Equally important is ensuring that the businesses already calling our region home have the resources they need to innovate, expand, and remain competitive. Building a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem requires intentional partnerships, experienced advisers, accessible education, and organizations committed to removing barriers to success. The Virginia SBDC – Lynchburg Region has become one of the region’s most valuable economic development assets because it delivers all of those resources under one roof.
One example is CO.STARTERS, a nationally recognized entrepreneurial development program facilitated locally for the City of Lynchburg Office of Economic Development & Tourism. Rather than focusing solely on writing a business plan, CO.STARTERS challenges participants to validate their ideas, better understand their customers, refine their business models, and test assumptions before investing significant time and capital. Over the past decade, approximately 140 entrepreneurs have completed the program, many arriving with little more than an idea and leaving with the confidence, strategy, and connections needed to build sustainable businesses that contribute to our regional economy.
The Virginia SBDC – Lynchburg Region office also plays a pivotal role in entrepreneurial grant initiatives such as Launch LYH and Fire Up Altavista. While grant funding often provides the spark that helps a business get started, long-term success depends on sound planning, disciplined execution, and informed decision-making. By working alongside grant applicants and recipients, Virginia SBDC – Lynchburg Region advisers help entrepreneurs strengthen their business plans, evaluate growth opportunities, and maximize the impact of every dollar invested. That combination of financial support and strategic guidance significantly improves the likelihood of long-term business success.
For aspiring entrepreneurs who simply don’t know where to begin, the Startup Toolbox series provides an accessible entry point into business ownership. These complimentary monthly workshops cover practical topics such as securing financing, selecting a business location, hiring employees, and understanding the fundamentals of launching a successful company. Nearly 1,000 Virginians have participated in these sessions, demonstrating both the demand for practical business education and the SBDC’s commitment to making entrepreneurial resources available to everyone.
The strength of the Virginia SBDC – Lynchburg Region ultimately lies in the experience of its team. Executive Director Stephanie Keener leads the organization with extensive expertise in business planning, customer development, exporting, government contracting, and market expansion. Jordan Reeves brings valuable experience in startups, management consulting, and advanced manufacturing, while Jawansa Hall helps businesses develop compelling brands and effective marketing strategies. Maria Niechwiadowicz provides specialized counseling for food and beverage entrepreneurs, one of Virginia’s fastest-growing business sectors. Together, this team offers entrepreneurs access to expertise that many small businesses could never afford to hire independently.
Through the statewide Virginia SBDC Network, hosted by George Mason University, local businesses also gain complimentary access to highly specialized resources in international trade, technology commercialization, innovation, market research, and craft beverage production. These statewide capabilities significantly expand the value of the Lynchburg office, allowing entrepreneurs throughout our region to benefit from world-class expertise while continuing to work with trusted local advisers who understand our business community.
The Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance believes that economic development is most successful when businesses are supported throughout every stage of their journey from startup to expansion, from Main Street storefronts to international markets. The Virginia SBDC – Lynchburg Region is an indispensable partner in advancing that vision, helping entrepreneurs overcome challenges, capitalize on opportunities, and build businesses that create jobs and strengthen our regional economy.
If you have an idea worth pursuing, a business ready to grow, or a challenge you need help solving, I encourage you to connect with the Virginia SBDC – Lynchburg Region. The expertise is exceptional, the guidance is confidential, and every service is provided at no cost. Few investments deliver a greater return than investing in entrepreneurs, because when our small businesses succeed, our entire region moves forward together.
GET IN CONTACT
www.sbdclynchburgregion.org
434-845-5966
sbdc@lynchburgregion.org
