Welcome

Welcome to Bedford, Virginia, one of the fastest growing areas in the Commonwealth. A good mix of industry, commerce and agriculture ensures a strong, diversified economy and a positive business climate. Bedford's political atmosphere is stable, the tax rates favorable, the school system excellent and the quality of life outstanding. Government policies in the Bedford area are directed toward economic and social development and the governmental attitude toward business and industry is one of cooperation and support. Bedford has been designated a Certified Business Location by the Virginia Department of Economic Development.

Stategically located between the metropolitan areas of Lynchburg and Roanoke, Bedford is part of the Lynchburg Metropolitan Statistical Area. An excellent labor environment exists, providing good availability at reasonable costs, and a strong work ethic results in high productivity and low turnover.

The Bedford area abounds with natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities offering residents and visitors an attractive and pleasant environment to live, work and play. [Top]

History & Government

Bedford County was formed in 1754 and named for the Fourth Duke of Bedford, a British Government official. In 1839, the Town of Liberty (now the City of Bedford) was established. Originally an agricultural economy, Bedford's industrial development began in 1880, and since that time industrial growth has been consistent and often fostered by the involvement of local citizens. In the early 1980s, the city undertook renovation of its historic downtown district and became one of Virginia's first Main Street Cities.

Government
Government policies are directed toward the economic and social development of the Bedford area. Government attitude toward business and industry is one of cooperation and support.

The City and County maintain independent governments. The City operates under a city manager form of government with City Council as the governing body. A Board of Supervisors governs the County and employs a County Administrator as chief administrative officer. Both governments operate under fiscally sound management, and both have Comprehensive Plans to monitor and guide development. The City and County participate in revenue sharing for economic development.

Policies are directed toward the economic and social development of the Bedford area. Government attitude toward business and industry is one of cooperation and support.

Location
Bedford County consists of 764 square miles in the west-central portion of Virginia's central plateau. Its boundaries include the Blue Ridge Mountains on the west, the James River on the northeast and Smith Mountain Lake on the south. The area has a rolling to hilly terrain with elevations from 800 feet to 4,200 feet above sea level.

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Labor & Transportation

The Bedford area labor force is adequate for existing and future industrial needs. Workers are plentiful in the area.

Twenty-nine percent of the Bedford area work force is employed in manufacturing. Service, retail trade, local government and construction are the next largest employers.

Transportation

Highways
Three inter-regional highways pass through or are easily accessible from the Bedford area:

US 460 connecting with I-81 near Roanoke
US 29 accessible in Lynchburg
US 501 linking the Shenandoah Valley with central North Carolina

Ports
The Bedford area is located approximately 220 miles from the ports of Hampton Roads, which include one of the finest natural harbors in the world and three inland river ports. Bedford is 325 miles from the port of Baltimore and 495 miles from the port of New York.

Motor Carriers
Twenty-three trucking lines and 25 major trucking terminals located in Lynchburg and Roanoke serve the Bedford area.

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Recreation & Culture

The Bedford area offers a wide range of recreation and leisure activities.

The Blue Ridge Parkway, a scenic highway extending 470 miles along the crest of the Southern Appalachian mountains, attracts thousands of visitors each year. The Parkway offers a "natural" vacation with breathtaking scenery, hiking on the historic Appalachian Trail, camping and picnic facilities.

The Peaks of Otter, twin peaks rising to 4,200 feet, comprise 40 miles of the parkway. The Jefferson National Forest provides a wilderness area along with hunting, fishing, horseback and hiking trails.

Smith Mountain Lake, a 23,000-acre lake with more than 500 miles of shoreline offers unlimited water sports. Smith Mountain Lake State Park provides a public beach, boat ramps, camping, hiking and picnic facilities.

Bedford enjoys a rich historic heritage and hundreds visit the area to view its many historic sites. One of the most famous is Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest, a retreat home designed and built by Jefferson. The Bedford County villa-style home is open for tours April-November.

A self-guided walking tour of Bedford's historic Centertown district structures built from 1880-90. Bedford is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Bedford is home to a number of other attractions including Emerson Creek Pottery, a manufacturer of hand made pottery, and Poplar Park, home of the National Champion Yellow Poplar Tree. [Top]

Community Facilities/Activities
The Bedford Public Library System, founded in 1900, operates a new Central Library in the City of Bedford, five libraries in Bedford County and a bookmobile with a combined collection of more than 100,000 items. Annual circulation is approaching 250,000. The library system also offers a full range of information technology including public Internet access. Planning is now under way for a major library development and construction program in the county.

The Sedalia Center near Big Island is a private, regional, non-profit educational center offering programs in the arts, ethnic cultures, environmental awareness, health and inner development.

The Bedford County Museum features exhibits on the history of Bedford from its beginnings through the mid 20th Century.

The Little Town Players, a community theater organization, produces four plays a year and sponsors a summer children's theater program. LTP is a recipient of the prestigious President's Action Award for Volunteerism.

The area is home to a number of churches and most major denominations are represented. Fraternal and service clubs are also well represented. [Top]

Health & Safety

Medical Services

Bedford County Memorial Hospital, an affiliate of Carilion Health System and Centra Health, offers a full range of health care services. Emergency transport to larger medical centers in Lynchburg, Roanoke and Charlottesville is provided by rescue squad ambulances and the Life Guard 10 medical helicopter. Other major medical facilities in the area include the Bedford County Health Department, physician centers and the Bedford Dialysis facility. Six nursing homes operate here.

The Bedford Community Health Foundation, an independent foundation, serves various medical needs of the Bedford community through an endowment fund.

Emergency Services

Fire
Volunteer fire departments serve both the city and county with modern fire fighting equipment and well-trained personnel. Reciprocal agreements are in effect with neighboring fire fighting units to lend assistance in the event of a major fire.

Rescue
Volunteer rescue squads serve the city and county to provide ambulance service, life support vehicles, crash truck and boats for water rescue.

Fire and rescue personnel undergo rigorous, ongoing training to be prepared to handle all sorts of emergency situations, including industrial and hazardous waste accidents.

An enhanced E-911 call in system with automated locater capability call-in system accesses police, fire and rescue services. [Top]

Education

Public Schools
An excellent public school sytem operated by the county provides education to area school children grades K-12. Special programs for academically gifted and handicapped students are available.

The Bedford Science and Technology Center offers an outstanding vocational education program to area students including drafting technology, electrictiy, electronics, business data processing and automotive technology. The center works in cooperation with local business and industry as well as Central Virginia Community College in Lynchburg to develop and enhance curriculum.

For more information on Bedford County Public Schools, visit their Website at http://www.bedford.k12.va.us/Schools.html

Higher Education

Community Colleges
Central Virginia Community College in Lynchburg offers two-year programs in the arts and sciences as well as instruction in a variety of vocational-technical fields. CVCC is the only instutution in the area to offer the ISO 9000 Certification Program and the Total Quality Management Program. Virginia Western Community College is located in Roanoke.