Major Employers
The three largest employers in Buckingham County are the Buckingham Correctional Center, the Dillwyn Correctional Center and Kyanite Mining. Other large employers include LeSueur-Richmond Slate, Buckingham County Government, Home Health Services, Farmers Foods, Central Virginia Community Health Center, Food Lion, VDOT, Pierce Johnson Lumber, Seay Milling, Bank of America, Hi-Test Labs, Heritage Hall Nursing Home, Discovery Schools, BB & T Bank, Buckingham Branch Railroad, Llewellyn Brothers Lumber, Farmers Bank, Gilliam Motors, Buckingham Branch Railroad, Anderson Tire and Towing, and Parker Oil Co.
Location/Topography
Located in Buckingham County on the banks of the James River, the Light Of Truth Universal Shrine (LOTUS) is an interfaith shrine that embodies the universal teaching “Truth is One, Paths are Many” and is dedicated to religious harmony and world peace.
Fisheries, is situated near Rt. 60, off of Rt. 638. The area totals 3,065 acres of mostly forested land centered by an 18 acre lake, and offers fishing, hunting, boating, hiking and picnicking. For more info, please visit www.dgif.state.va.us/hunting/wma/horsepenlake.html. The Bear Creek State Park of Cumberland, with 460 acres, is also open to the public. The scenic Blue Ridge Mountains are a short driving distance away. Local parks include the Gene Dixon Memorial Park and Dillwyn Park. Both parks offer tennis and other sporting opportunities. Baseball fields are available at Dixon Park, soccer in Dillwyn, and golf at two area clubs. The Appomattox and James Rivers provide excellent canoeing and kayaking activities, along with great fishing, in one of the most scenic areas of Virginia. The County’s Recreation Department has expanded to sponsor many activities, including aerobics, basketball, swimming, softball and many others.
Local Economy
Manufacturing activity is concentrated in mining and wood-related enterprises, and a full range of commercial services is available locally.
Labor Force
Buckingham County has a civilian labor force of about 6,000. Manufacturing takes up about one-third of the total employment.
Located in Central Virginia, Buckingham County is 63 miles west of Richmond, 45 miles south of Charlottesville and 38 miles northeast of Lynchburg. Washington, D.C. is about 3 hours away. Buckingham is bounded by the James River on the north and northwest and the Appomattox River on the south.
Climate
The climate here is a relatively moderate one, with an average annual temperature of 57 degrees, an average January temperature of 36.7, and average July temperature of 77.2, and an average annual rainfall of 45 inches.
Natural Resources
Buckingham County is heavily forested with 299,235 acres of woodland, or more than 80% of the county’s total land area. The dominant forest types are oak-hickory and loblolly-shortleaf pine.
Much of the information above was provided by Buckingham County, (434) 969-4242 and the Buckingham Chamber of Commerce, (434) 983-2372. For more specific information, please call a number above or visit www.BuckinghamCountyVa.org or www.BuckinghamChamber.org or www.DillwynVa.org or www.VisitBuckinghamVa.org or www.bchs.k12.va.us (school information). 13