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Fred ArmstrongWiley|Wilson

Carl BoggessBedford County

Larry JacksonAppalachian Power

Waverly CoggsdaleTown of Altavista

Lauren DianichAtelier 11

Architecture, LTD

Dean RodgersAmherst County

Frank RogersCampbell County

Ed CraighillBoxley

George KayesABC13 WSET-TV

David MalewitzCity of Lynchburg

Ryan KindtLiberty University

Athletics

Darryl HuftenApple Ford

Dr. Doug SchuchBedford County

Schools

Susan AdamsAppomattox County

Anthony AndrewsTwenty23

Jack HobbsTown of Amherst

Nathaniel MarshallBWX Technologies

Inc.

Michael ShadlerPacific Life

Des BlackLynchburg Regional Technology Council

Michael DavidsonCampbell County

Econ. Dev.

Susan ChapmanBrown Edwards & Company, L.L.P.

Karen SimontonOrthoVirginia

Dr. Bradley Bateman

Randolph College

Gary ChristieRegion 2000 Local

Government Council

AlliAnce StAffCandace Samples

Office ManagerDenise RowlandVice President of

Finance

AlliAnce boArd of directorS

Alton BrownThe News &

Advance

Cathie BrownImpact Makers,

Inc.

Dr. Scott BrabrandLynchburg City

Schools

Dr. John CappsCentral Virginia

Community College

Michael ElliottCENTRA

Phil HamlettFuture Focus Foundation

Rex GevedenBWX Technologies,

Inc.

John Doyle, Jr.Pettyjohn, Wood &

White, Inc.

Patrick McNamaraMaxPlayFit, LLC

Anne McVeighDavenport & Company LLC

Dr. James MundyLynchburg

Community Action Group, Inc

James MercadanteCintas

Tray PettyMoore & Giles, Inc.

Randy SmithLiberty University

John Stone, CFAStifel Nicolaus

Luke TowlesWells Fargo

Bonnie SvrcekCity of Lynchburg

Ryan WhiteBB&T

Denise WoernleAREVA, Inc.

Kaye LewisDirector of

Events

Megan A. LucasCEO & Chief Economic Development Officer

Jamie GlassAdministrative

Coordinator

Christine KennedyCOO & Executive

Vice President

Laverne BrownDirector of Marketing

Caroline BiggsDirector of Public Policy and Special

Programming

James RichardsChairman

Petty, Livingston,Dawson, Richards, PC

Stefanie ProkityChair Elect

Successful Innovations, Inc.

Ryan McEntireTreasurer

Brown, Edwards,& Company, L.L.P.

Bill GuzekCenter for Advanced

Engineering & Research

Todd HallVice Chair

First National Bank

Denise JacksonEvent Coordinator

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“The Alliance is a catalyst for change by advocating for pro-business legislation, creating relationships and retaining and recruiting business. Your purpose is our passion. We are dedicated to thriving businesses and a vibrant Region. This is “Where Creativity and Commerce Connect.”

Where Creativity and Commerce Connect

chAirmAn’S meSSAgeWhen I was Chair of the Lynchburg Regional Chamber Board in 2015, we embarked on

an effort to promote regional cooperation to enhance economic development that would benefit our members. What resulted was the January 1, 2016 merger of the Chamber and Region 2000 Business and Economic Alliance to form the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance. Under the leadership of outgoing Chair Larry Jackson, the Alliance has gotten off to a great start. We purchased and are beginning renovation on a new home for the Alliance in downtown Lynchburg. We have successfully combined staffs and missions to create a new and dynamic organization. The Region has completed a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) with input from leaders in our community. Lastly, we have laid the foundation for a successful economic development capital campaign. As

Chair, I am mindful of the need to continue to focus on these efforts. It is now up to us to take these initiatives and to build upon them. Promises must become commitments.

Words must become actions. Potential must become reality. As we move forward as an organization, we will not forget the core values that brought us together. Promoting and supporting our membership and Region is the heartbeat of our work.

The Alliance is pleased to be the facilitator of the implementation of the CEDS plan. Through this process, we believe that we can convene the Region’s stakeholders to achieve the goals set in the strategy, making the Lynchburg Region more attractive and more prosperous.

Our business partners should also know that we are committed to continue our efforts to engage with our legislators to lobby for pro-business priorities at the state and federal levels throughout the year. We are working to create more opportunities that allow members to network with one another and to promote their businesses to encourage greater communication with their business peers.

Our board and staff of the Alliance work tirelessly on your behalf and our primary concern is your success. Get involved and join us to make our organization the best. This is “where creativity and commerce connect.”

With highest regard,James R. Richards, Chairman Petty, Livingston, Dawson & Richards, PC

In this annual report, you will find 2016 successes and the strategies for moving our Region forward in 2017. Together we’ll engage in the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy implementation, utilize the target industry analysis for targeted industry recruitment and launch impactful programs and services that will serve member businesses. You’ll see a marketing campaign throughout the year featuring personal stories of Alliance members and how the organization has helped their businesses.

The strategy for 2017 is before us - together we are building a hyper-effective and collaborative regional organization that can influence our businesses and economic vitality of our entire region. This year you’ll be engaged in an organization that provides business leadership for the entire regional community, and benefit from discounts, services and opportunities designed to ensure your business’s growth and success. The success of the Alliance will be attributed to you! Our members, investors, municipal partners, workforce, students, residents all make the Lynchburg Region a great place. The Alliance’s job remains to be the center for business and to serve businesses of all sizes from the creative entrepreneur to the leaders in regional commerce, making the Alliance the place “where creativity and commerce connect.” Megan A. LucasCEO & Economic Development Officer

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1 to 3 count (31%)

4 to 9count (26.1%)

10 to 25 count (19.9%)

26 to 49count (8.2%)

50 to 99 count (6%)

100 to 199 count (5%)

More than 200 count (3.8%)

Alliance membership breakdown by business employee count

2016 AnnuAl report2016 ushered in a new era in collaboration, with the merging of the Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Lynchburg Regional Business & Economic Alliance to form the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance. With this new synergy, we saw increased cooperation, energy and excitement among our stakeholders, members and board of directors. Under this regional model, the Alliance continues its focus on supporting business and economic development while creating an environment that welcomes and encourages Regional growth. And, as you’ll see in the enclosed Annual Report, regional accomplishments we can all celebrate. We hope you will read with pride, knowing that your continued support, leadership and investment in the new Alliance helped us achieve our mission of leading regional business & economic development.

Generating Jobs & Investment • Hosted nine site selectors to the Region for regional familiarization tours, industry tours, briefings and cultural activities. This relationship building with key industry professionals in relocation and expansion helps ensure our Region is top of mind when companies are considering location options. • Provided comprehensive regional data to economic developers that aided in their efforts to secure expansions or new companies’ relocation into the area. This resulted in over $47M in capital investment in our Region.

Promoting Our Brand & Image Globally • Produced the ACCRA Cost of Living report on Cost of Living Data for the Lynchburg MSA and how we compare to other cities which is used for marketing the Region. • Launched YesLynchburgRegion.org website, an online gateway to the Region providing comprehensive economic development data to promote our market to expanding companies and site selectors. • Advertised our industrial sites nationally by showcasing them in targeted industry sector publications. • Hosted the National Economic Development Conference which brought eight site selectors and 35 economic development professionals to our Region for three days.

Cultivating Talent • Graduated the 2016 Young Entrepreneurs Academy resulting in 10 new businesses in the Region started by middle and high school students. • Hosted the 2016 Executive Forum for the highest level of leadership training and progressive practices to seasoned leaders, c-suite executives or managers of people looking to increase their positive influence in the workplace. Participants engaged in challenging discussion groups, peer coaching and thought provoking sessions on common leadership and business issues while receiving support in achieving their individual goals and outcomes. • Completed Target Industry Analysis and Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) which allows the Region to be more strategic in recruitment of companies that will bring higher wage jobs. • Launched the Now Hiring eblast member benefit to assist employers with finding area talent and helping those laid off find new opportunities.

“I attended my first breakfast as a new Alliance member February 2012. The referrals that were produced from those connections made, and the referrals from those jobs sold, on and on, has indirectly sold over $1.25 million dollars of gross revenue since joining, which I have traced back to that first breakfast. That $17 was the best marketing ROI to date!”

Chad Wheeler, OwnerDream Landscapes

“In order to grow and succeed, we must be willing to learn from those that have accomplished similar goals. Our recent trip to Lexington, Kentucky solidified the need to drive forward and put ideas into action.” Stefanie Prokity, Chamber Chair-Elect, Successful Innovations, Inc.

“The Alliance’s advocacy efforts present a strong voice for our region’s business community. We look forward to continuing this work along-side the Legislative Affairs Committee as the Alliance brings awareness to issues that support the growth and prosperity of our Region.”

Samuel P. Gerstemeier,

Property One Photography

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Cultivating Talent (continued) • Hosted meeting between Jefferson Forest High School, the US Chamber Foundation, the VA Chamber, and local company Intercon to pilot new innovation challenge where students work on a real world problem and the company sees potential new hires or apprenticeship candidates. • Participated in regional meeting with area school board leaders to provide consultation on possible regional CTE facility. We provided key questions for the group to think about and possible next steps if they want to proceed with concept. Additionally, we invited the Workforce Development Board into the conversation who can assist with identifying in-demand credentials and certifications when considering CTE courses to offer. • Met with talent development leaders at several member companies regarding immediate hiring needs. Promoted and provided input on employer job fairs resulting in new hires. • Connected employers with regional funds available for retraining their existing workforce. • Hosted, in partnership with the Future Focus Foundation, both VEX Robotic and Junior FIRST and FIRST LEGO League tournaments. These STEM activities provide area youth with hands-on robotic projects that enhance an interest in robotics in a fun and exciting environment. By capturing our area youths’ curiosity, we can direct it towards discovering the wonders of science and technology.

Enhancing the Business Climate • Lobbied against new DOL overtime threshold and signed on U.S. Chamber letter in support of “Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act” (S. 2707 / H.R. 4773). • Signed on to several other U.S. Chamber letters including: o Support of Regulatory Accountability Act of 2017 o Small Business Healthcare Relief Act (H.R. 5447/S. 3060) o Entitlement Reform • Testified at CTB Public Hearing in support of regional projects. Requested a study be conducted of the stoplights and development along major highways. • Met with state transportation officials on the state level and consulted with the Virginia Department of Rail & Public Transportation (VDRPT) and the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) on local and statewide projects. • We also provided insight on key economic development projects that are impacted by transportation decisions. • Hosted a facilitated civil discourse dialogue on healthcare in our community so that healthcare stakeholders could reclaim the art of having civil dialogue on polarizing issues. • Partnered with the Small Business Development Center on the “Let’s Put Our Cities on the Map” with Google Workshop which helped our members increase Search Engine Optimization for greater visibility. • Produced the regional MSA street map including main roads and highways, major points of interest for the areas of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Campbell and the City of Lynchburg which has a regional distribution of over 5,000. • Purchased the former James River Conference Center located in our urban center of downtown Lynchburg which will become the Alliance and the Region’s new headquarters for business.

Manager of Government RelationsCentra Health – Lynchburg General Hospital

Property One Photography

Where Creativity and Commerce Connect

2017 buSineSS plAnchAmber of commerce diviSion

Membership: We offer business-to-business exchanges that create more opportunities for members to engage with the Alliance and to build their business network.

• Our new A.M. Alliance monthly series of business-to-business networking events will bring our members together (at no cost) to make new contacts and tell their own business story to other members.

• Our Coffee with the CEO series of events will provide our members, especially the newest ones, an opportunity to get to know more about what the Alliance does and talk directly with CEO Megan Lucas about their own business needs and concerns.

• Our 2017 Women’s Exchange, is a quarterly luncheon series connecting members with distinguished women from all career stages and backgrounds to exchange ideas, share concerns and discover expertise.

• Our popular Business at Breakfast program offers timely community information and business-to-business networking to grow your customer base.

Cost Savings: We help our members take advantage of our “affinity benefit” programs, particularly the Chamber RX Prescription Drug Discount Card. This program, available at no cost to our members, can help their employees (or clients) save 40-80% on prescription medications, and it works at any drug store or pharmacy in the U.S.

Advocacy: By advancing a pro-business agenda, we are the voice of business in the Lynchburg Region. The Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance researches, polls, mobilizes legislative action, and provides information on local, state and national pro-business issues. Members leverage their membership by receiving timely education and opportunities for involvement/action on public policy issues.

• Cultivate greater influence and relationships on the Hill in Washington by communicating with our federal legislators and staff. We will host frequent advocacy trips in order to keep our business priorities in front of our representatives, and bringing our members to Washington to meet with their representatives through a “Whistle Stop” trip by train (September).

• Host legislative events such as Jefferson’s Assembly, Richmond Reception and Pancakes & Politics which provide the opportunity for our members to network with regional and state elected officials, ask questions and share their legislative priorities.

• Solicit member feedback and then create State and Federal Legislative Priorities, execute action items determined in our Legislative Affairs Committee, Lynchburg Regional Transportation Advocacy Group, and Blue Ridge Economic

Coalition. • Spearhead legislative action on the federal and state level specifically pertaining to the Central Virginia Training

Center, GO Virginia, as well as regulatory reform, infrastructure and key transportation initiatives. • Bring our federal senators and congressmen to town for business roundtables with our members.

“The Alliance is one-stop shopping and a great resource for workforce solutions. Their enthusiasm and commitment to our community is contagious. Their Leadership Lynchburg staff facilitated our Lunch and Learn event in October 2016. The presentation was “The Exemplary Team”, and a quote from one of our attendees; “Absolutely loved this meeting today! It was a great way to recharge. I love working with Christine and Leadership Lynchburg because they provide what we need.” Selina Elswick, J Crew

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“The Alliance plays a pivotal role in promoting workforce development and economic vitality in our Region. The Alliance cultivates talent, generates jobs, and fosters an environment where businesses prosper and people thrive. It connects commerce with creativity, enriching lives and life in the communities we call home.”

Dr. John Capps, Central Virginia Community College

economic development diviSionThe Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance serves as the regional convenor of economic development partners and strives to advance our economy by generating awareness, generating discussions and generating jobs and capital investment with the Lynchburg Regional footprint.

Position the Lynchburg Region as a hub of talent, innovation and opportunity: The Lynchburg Region’s assets and world-class offerings are not well known both internally or externally. We must significantly increase our efforts to communicate our strengths to compete with other well-resourced regions. Our marketing efforts will be regionally inclusive and international in scope.

Elevate Economic Growth and Momentum: The Alliance will expand our business recruitment, expansion and retention efforts, and international trade initiatives, to be more regionally inclusive. We will focus on those targeted industries identified in the Market Street Target Sector Analysis including: near term targets of Food and Beverage, Steel and Metal, Nuclear Technology, Wireless Infrastructure and Communications and Financial and Business Support Services. Targeting ensures our resources are focused on industries with the greatest local competitive advantage and generate the greatest return on investment.

Enhancing Business Ecosystem: Improving our Region’s business climate, readiness and availability of workforce, and quality of life are paramount to an effective economic development effort. To assist the great counties and communities that comprise the Lynchburg Region to become even greater, we propose to leverage existing Alliance assets to enhance the Region’s business ecosystem.

Expand Regional Stakeholders and Investor Relations: The Alliance will expand its economic development efforts regionally and involve regional partners in packaging our world-class assets and addressing target industries’ specific needs. The sum of our Region’s distinctive communities is truly greater than its parts.

Learning & Workforce Training: Offer our members access to world-class thought leaders, on topics related to business enhancement, manager & employee business skills development, and etc. • Our Communications Academy (August -October) will explore how effective leaders communicate and how to deal with difficult business conversations. • Our Small Business Summit (April) will feature sessions including topics such as building your brand, overcoming obstacles, and “tales of local entrepreneurs”, along with a keynote speaker who has been a successful entrepreneur and venture capitalist. • We will host the 2017 Workforce Summit, (May) a forum with education and employer leaders to co-create the future of a world class and effective workforce for our region. • We will offer the 2017-2018 Leadership Lynchburg Executive Forum (September- April) which provides the highest level of leadership training and progressive practices of effective leadership to seasoned leaders, whether they are graduates of our Flagship program, c-suite executives or managers of people looking to increase their positive influence in the workplace.

ChaMBeR Of COMMeRCe DIvISOn (continued)

PEAK• ABC 13 WSET-TV• AREVA Inc.• Bank of the James• BB&T• CENTRA• First National Bank• Liberty University• The News & Advance

SuMMIT• Delta Star• Suntrust• Wells Fargo

CREST• Century 21 ALL-SERVICE • Genworth Financial• Westminster Canterbury

RIDGE• Appalachian Power• Apple Ford• Belvac Production Machinery• BWX Technologies, Inc.• Coleman-Adams Construction, Inc.• Dodson Pest Control• Liberty Ridge Health & Rehabilitation• Lynchburg College• Physicians Treatment Center• Progress Printing Plus• Property One Photography• Randolph College• Schewel Furniture Co.,Inc.• Scott Insurance• Successful Innovations, Inc.• The Summit• Tomlin and Associates, LLC• Union Bank & Trust• WLNI 105.9 FM - Talk Radio• Woods Rogers Edmunds & Williams PLC

BASE• Altavista Economic Development Authority• American National Bank• Banker Steel Company, LLC• Bankers Insurance, LLC• Bee Line Transport, Inc.• Bently Commons at Lynchburg• Boxley• Brown, Edwards & Company, L.L.P.• Campbell County• Campbell County Public Schools• Caskie & Frost• Central Virginia Community College• Central Virgiinia FCU - Your Community Credit Union• Central Virginia Orthodontics• Cherry Bekaert LLP• Conner Produce Co., Inc.• Counts Reality & Auction Co., Inc.• CVFP Medical Group• Dawson Ford Garbee & Co. Realtors• Economic Development Office - City of Lynchburg• Ferguson Enterprises, Inc.• First Bank & Trust Company• First Citizens Bank• Harmon Eye Center• Heartland of Lynchburg• HCS Wealth Advisor• Hurt & Proffitt, Inc.• Isabella’s Italian Trattoria• J. Crew• Jamerson Family YMCA• James T. Davis Paint & Design Center• Kirkley Hotel and Conference Center• Kroger• Lynchburg City Schools• Lynchburg Dental Center

• Lynchburg Hillcats• Lynchburg Ready Mix Concrete Co., Inc.• Lynchburg Regional Airport• Lynchburg Regional Convention & Visitor’s Bureau• MemberOne FCU• Perry Pools and Spas, Inc.• Periodontal Health Associates• Petty, Livingston, Dawson & Richards, PC• Pettyjohn, Wood & White, Inc.• R.W. Baird• Rose Computers & Networks • Scott Insurance• Sheetz Inc.• Sonny Merryman Inc.• Southern Air, Inc.• State Farm Insurance - Chip Harvey• Taylor Brothers• Terry VW Subaru• Tomlin & Associates, LLC• Valley View Retirement Community• Whitten Funeral Homes• Wiley|Wilson• Zaxby’s

thAnkS to our 2016 premium SponSorS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

2015 Memorial AvenueLynchburg, VA 24501

434.845.5966Info@LynchburgRegion.org

LynchburgRegion.orgYesLynchburgRegion.org

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •*reflects cumulation of sponsorship of alliance events, advertising, & contributions to capital building campaign received in 2016

*