TableofContents
Bedford ONE
Exploreyourentrepreneurialpotential withaPitchDeckworkshoponOctober 28,hostedbytheCenterfor Entrepreneurship–LynchburgRegion JoinEileenBrewer,ExecutiveDirectorof 757CollabinNorfolk,forahalf-day coachingsession Thisfreeeventis perfectforstudentslookingtosharpen theirpitches RegisterHERE!
104
Jobs created when Solarix starts production in the former Teva Building in Forest next year
Thesolorenergy startupwillinvest$63 millioninthefacility
Ranked in customized workforce training as ranked by “Business Facilities.”
Forthesecondconsecutive year,Virginiatakesthetop spotintheBusiness FacilitiesCustomized WorkforceTrainingranking foritsVirginiaTalent AcceleratorProgram
$1.5M
Received from Gov. Younkin’s Virginia Business Ready Sites Program to further develop the New London Business and Technology Center
ThisisknownasPhase2 oftheindustrialpark’s masterplan
CELEBRATE
Join us as we celebrate the remarkable work anniversaries of Bedford County businesses Fostek
20Years(2004) Innerspec
35Years(1996)
Sterling Blower
125Years(1899) #1
Virginia’s rank in CNBC’s 2024 analysis of “America’s Top States for Business”
Theannualranking measuresall50states on128differentmetrics in10keycategoriesof competitiveness #1
BedfordONE
Offering new experiences
Industry Tours
High school juniors and seniors have the opportunity to put boots on the ground and tour Bedford area businesses and learn about the career pathways available here. Popular visits have included, Sentry Equipment, BRWA, Innerspec, and Wicked Diesel.
Internship Opportunities
The Office of Economic Development is partnering with local businesses and schools to provide students exciting internship opportunities that allow for career exploration and will prepare students to become workforce ready.
Have your high school juniors and seniors talk to their career coach to sign up for a tour!
October30,2024-VDOT/BRWA
November20,2024-SouthernAir
January25,2025-BedfordMemorialHospital/BedfordNursingHome
January30,2025-BedfordFire&Rescue/Sheriff,9-1-1
BedfordCountyEDAAwarded$1.5Million fromVirginiaBusinessReadySitesProgram
FURTHERDEVELOPMENTOFPHASE2INTHE NEWLONDONBUSINESSANDTECHNOLOGYCENTER
The Bedford County Office of Economic Development is excited to announce the award of $1,500,000 from Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Virginia Business Ready Sites Program (VBRSP)
According to Bedford County Director of Economic Development Pam Armstrong, the funds, which require a match, will be used to further site development in the New London Business and Technology Center. The plans involve clearing two sites and continuing the Meade Road gravel extension, along with implementing stormwater, sewer and underground utilities as funding permits
“This project will further develop the Phase 2 section of the New London Tech Center and advance the site from a Tier 3 to a Tier 4 level,” said Armstrong.
The VBRSP evaluates land in a tiered system, with Tier 1 defined as an identified site that’s raw land and Tier 5 defined as a pad-ready site with infrastructure improvements either complete or close to completion Armstrong added: “This top tier is the most attractive to companies and developers who want to build, but don’t want to wait the additional time it takes to get a site pad-ready, which can add several months to a building project” Last year, Bedford County was awarded $63,750 for the required engineering studies and reports to advance the site from a Tier 2 to a Tier 3.
“Businesses in the current climate are looking to move quickly and it’s imperative that we are competitive in attracting companies to Bedford County,” said Wyatt Walton, Chairman of the Bedford County Economic Development Authority. “When companies are looking for a site, it’s more of an elimination process than a selection process. If you don’t have inventory, companies go elsewhere This funding will further our mission and strategy of attracting new economic opportunity to Bedford County in our primary focus areas of manufacturing, new business, and technology-based projects.”
Charla Bansley, Supervisor for District 3 where the New London Business & Technology Center is located, emphasized the importance of business attraction to the County Bansley stated, “Bedford County and the New London area of Forest is a desirable destination for businesses with direct access to US 460 Over the past 20 years significant investments have been made in developing this property and the County is grateful to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership in helping us further our mission of more jobs and less taxes”
The contingency in using these awarded funds lies in another grant the County is hoping to receive from the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission (TRRC) The County has a grant request currently under consideration from the TRRC to be used as a partial match for the project.
Other funding sources to make up the match balance include funds as set aside from the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) budget, as well as the Bedford County EDA Additionally, Bedford County received a Virginia Department of Transportation grant for engineering work for Meade Road improvements and the extension project The TRRC awards will be announced in September.
Located off Route 460 approximately 13 miles west of the City of Lynchburg, the New London Business and Technology Center is a 500-acre development owned by the EDA. Although the park’s focus is technology, a wide variety of business uses are welcome. The park is home to Simplimatic Automation, RA Tools, Vagus LLC, Damage Prevention Solutions, Belvac Production Machinery, and Liberty University’s 28-acre Tech campus.
TolearnmoreabouttheNewLondonBusinessandTechnologyCenter,visitthe BedfordCountyOfficeofEconomicDevelopmentwebsite
SolarixChooses Forest,VA!
Solarix to invest $63 million in Forest facility, creating 104 new green energy jobs.
The Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance in partnership with the Bedford County Office of Economic Development is pleased to announce that Solarix, a leading 100% American-owned and SBA-certified Disabled Veteran-owned company, will invest $63 million to establish a state-of-the-art solar module manufacturing facility in Forest, Bedford County, Virginia This facility aims to support the Commonwealth’s renewable energy supply needs and mitigate reliance on foreign manufacturers, particularly from China.
Solarix recently acquired the former, state-of-the-art, TEVA Pharmaceutical building and will employ 104 people with manufacturing set to begin by July 2025 This 423,553 square feet facility on 562 acres of land will be home to advanced solar panel production, reinforcing Solarix’s commitment to providing high-quality, affordable, and reliable PV modules to support utility-scale, commercial, and residential solar projects.
“I’m thrilled that Solarix has decided to set up operations in Bedford County,” said Edgar Tuck, Chairman of the Bedford County Board of Supervisors “It’s great to see this long-vacant space finally being put to beneficial use”
Carlos Class, CEO and Co-Founder of Solarix, stated, “As a 100% American-owned and managed company, we are immensely proud to contribute to our nation’s energy independence Our mission is to deliver the highest quality, most reliable, and affordable solar modules in the industry By reclaiming control of our supply chain from foreign manufacturers, we are safeguarding our electric grid infrastructure, ensuring its resilience for decades to come. This is not just a business endeavor; it is a commitment to U.S. national security and a sustainable future”
Mr Class continues, “We are excited to partner with local universities to foster innovation within our industry and the energy sector, and we look forward to collaborating with residential, commercial, and utility sectors to meet their solar energy needs Additionally, we are coordinating with the Veteran’s Workforce Commission to hire veterans, providing them with the necessary skills and in-house training to succeed and progress within our organization. The Solarix modules will be designed for various applications, including agrivoltaics, and will feature bifacial dual glass technology, capable of generating up to 725 Watts (W) of energy under Standard Test Conditions (STC)”
As part of its phase II expansion, Solarix is also adding a Solar Module Recycling line to foster a true net-zero product lifecycle. This initiative will accept old and broken modules from other manufacturers, helping customers replace them with Solarix’s advanced modules This strategic addition underscores Solarix’s commitment to sustainability and resource efficiency.
“We are excited to welcome Solarix to the Lynchburg Region – an established and growing energy manufacturing hub here in Virginia,” said Rosana Chaidez, Board Chair of the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance and President & CEO of Handy Distribution “I’d also like to thank the Bank of the James for their integral partnership on this project. Our region stands ready to support Solarix’s growth and aspirations.”
Increasing clean energy manufacturing and output is not only beneficial for the Lynchburg Region but a goal for all of Virginia and its neighboring states
In 2020, the Virginia General Assembly passed the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA), setting a goal to make Virginia’s energy economy carbon-free by 2050 and establish a 16-Gigawatt (GW) goal for energy generation from solar and onshore wind Solarix’s new facility is set to achieve a production capacity of 1 GW per year with plans to expand to 3 GW per year in their Forest, VA facility, significantly aiding Virginia and surrounding states in meeting their clean energy goals. The facility is projected to produce 200 modules per hour, boasting production cycle times at 9995% quality output, and offering a 30-Year Performance Warranty on every module.
“I am thrilled to learn that the Teva Building has been sold and would like to warmly welcome Solarix to Forest! This new venture promises significant economic growth, with 104 new job opportunities and capital investments of upwards of $60 million,” said Senator Mark Peake
This development is a testament to Central Virginia’s vibrant business environment and our community’s potential for innovation and growth We look forward to the positive impact Solarix will have on our local economy and the opportunities it will create for our residents.”
“I am proud to welcome this new business to Forest, Virginia,” added Delegate Tim Griffin. “Jobs and boosting our local economy are one of our top priorities I look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our community’s growth and prosperity”
The Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance worked with the Bedford County Office of Economic Development to support the project for Virginia.
Explore Premier Commercial Real Estate
Opportunities in Bedford
Looking for the perfect location to grow your business? Bedford County offers a range of
options to suit diverse needs and industries From prime retail spaces to versatile office environments, our properties are strategically situated to maximize visibility and accessibility Visit our real estate and maps page at Bedford Economic Development to discover available spaces and find the ideal spot for your next venture Partner with us and be part of Bedford's thriving economic landscape! Click on the image to learn more!
New London Business & Technology Center
U.S. Route-460 and Meade Road in Bedford County, Virginia
ZONING:
Plannedindustrial–allowsavarietyof business,research,andmanufacturing users
UTILITIES:
Waterandsewerthroughout 25-kV,3phaseelectricpowerinstalled Telecomfiberinplaceatentrancetopark Milliongallonwaterstoragetankinservice Robust,darkfiberinfrastructureinplace–secureandscalableenoughtosupporta datacenter
Montvale Center for Commerce
SITEDATA:
500+acreswithbuffer
200+acresdesignatedaVATechnology Zone
Lotsranginginsizefrom75to48+acres
Lot2–12+/-acres
Lot4flier–10acresclearedandgradedon 24+acrelot
Accommodatesa200,000sf building
Lots10Aand12Aclearedandgrubbed–ranginginsizefrom75acresto10acres
Individualparcelshavenotbeenrecorded andcanbedividedasneeded
On 460 in Western Bedford County, midway between Bedford & Roanoke
COMMERICALPROPERTY:
The19+/-acrescommercialshopping centercanbelaidouttosuitadeveloper’s plans
INDUSTRIALPROPERTY:
Lotsinthe45+/-acrebusinessparkvaryin sizefrom5acresuptoapotential20acres
UTILITIES:
Servedby6″waterlineand8″sewerlines Electricityandfiberavailable Propaneavailable
Bedford Center for Business
SITEDATA:
Commercialpropertyhaspotentialretail developmentinanareathathasbeen under-servedasthecounty’sgrowthhas beendevelopedoverthepasttwodecades
State Route 122 between Route 221 and Route 460 in the Town of Bedford, Virginia
ZONING: Commercial/LightIndustrial
UTILITIES:
12”on-sitewaterline 15”on-sitesewerline Threephase1247Kvlineelectricity Propaneavailable Telecommunicationsandfiberoptics
SITEDATA: 64+acreswithlotsranginginsizefrom3to 45+acres VirginiaEnterpriseZone
ContactPamArmstrong toscheduleasitetour!
Call(540)587–5670ext1 orClickhere!
The Bedford County Office of Economic Development understands the many drivers that support a healthy economy. We are committed to nurturing efforts that result in quality jobs for county residents
We are here to assist you in starting, locating or expanding your business; please contact us so we can learn about your plans. We’re ready to connect you with local, state and national resources that may offer programs or assistance that meet your business needs
MEET THE TEAM
PamArmstrong
Director of Economic Development
parmstrong@bedfordcountyvagov (540) 587 – 5670 ext 1
TrishLuger
Administrative Assistant tluger@bedfordcountyvagov (540) 586 – 7601
WELCOME, Lauren Thurston
Business Programs Coordinator
lthurston@bedfordcountyva.gov | (540) 587 – 5670 ext 2
Help us welcome the newest member of our economic development team in Bedford County! Lauren Thurston is the new Business Programs Coordinator and in her role, she is responsible for planning and coordinating Bedford ONE tours and other workforce development initiatives, business retention services and incentive tracking, and marketing data management.
A marketing and communications professional, Lauren has lived in the central Virginia area for over 7 years and is a newer resident of Bedford Lauren holds a degree in Integrated Communications from Liberty University. She is skilled in design, writing, and building strong relationships