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Business and job growth in Bedford
The Bedford City reversion to town status, nearly a year ago in
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State officials from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership tour Central Virginia Manufacturing with co-owner Chris Markham.
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July, set the tone for a dynamic year for economic development in Bedford County. The county has seen some exciting growth in new businesses and jobs, which is apparent in the decreased unemployment rate of 5.4%, 0.4% lower than the previous year.
Listed below are a few examples of the business growth experienced in the 2013-2014 fiscal year:
- Matrixx Group, a Citadel Plastics Holdings Inc. company, expanded its production to a 4-shift, 24/7 operation, while adding 9 new jobs in Feb. 2014.
LiteSheet Solutions, LLC, a Connecticut-based light-emitting diode (LED) company located to Bedford County in Jan. 2014 (currently in the Little Otter Industrial Park) with the promise of 40 new jobs in the next 3 years.
The Artisans Center of Virginia (ACV) celebrated the naming of the "Bedford Artisan Trail" in Jan. 2014, giving local artists and businesses an opportunity to showcase their treasures statewide.
Central Virginia Manufacturing (CVM), a new metal fabrication business, moved into the former Winn Dixie in April. CVM, now with 18 employees, has added a second shift just a year after its initial start.
Simplimatic Automation is now breaking ground in the New London Business and Technology Center park after announcing plans to build a 60,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Oct. 2013.
Blue Ridge Optics won the 2013 Tayloe Murphy Resilience Awards competition at the Darden School of Business at UVA in Oct. 2013. This prestigious award is given to only a handful of small businesses in the state who have endured downturns in economically challenged communities due to their dedication and persistence.
Valley Processing began producing rubber products again during this year at the former Rubatex facility and have hired more than a dozen employees so far. They currently have two job openings posted at the Virginia Employment Commission.
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