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October is Virginia Wine Month!
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Area Happenings & Announcements
Updated Weekly!
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Did you know?.....
A section of Amherst was once known as Dearborn.
Dearborn's center, located at the lower end of Depot Street in Amherst, was an area encompassing the Amherst Mill and the railroad passenger station. Within that space were stores, a boarding house, a power plant, an ice house, a plaster mill, a saw mill and several homes.
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The Amherst Depot
Early to mid-20th century, train service was the main transportation for people traveling to work or to shop in Lynchburg. Trains ran every hour. Passengers enjoyed the "high style" - no paper plates but fine china and silver on their commutes.
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Dearborn House
The Dearborn House was built in 1876 by George Washington Dearborn. The house was three stories tall and featured a ballroom on the third floor. George Washington Dearborn, who built the house for his family, came to the area from Fairfax County, VA. He was station master and the railway stop became known by his name.
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Images and Information Sources: Amherst County Museum & Historical Society; "Resurrecting Dearborn" by Marion Freerks & Nancy McDearmon
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From the County of Amherst
Office of the County Administrator
IN SEARCH OF AMHERST COUNTY TRAIN DEPOT RELICS & ARTIFACTS......
The Amherst County Train Depot is almost complete. In addition to serving as the County's Visitor Center, the building will also be the new offices of the Economic Development Authority and the Amherst County Chamber of Commerce. The Visitor Center will include information about places to see and things to do in Amherst County as well as historical information regarding the Depot and the County.
At this time, the County is searching for artifacts that were part of the Amherst County Train Depot or are closely related to the Amherst County Train Depot. If you have an artifact or relic that you would like for the County to consider displaying at the newly renovated Train Depot, please bring it to the Amherst County Museum. These artifacts will be logged in by museum staff and may be included in the newly renovated Depot.
Please bring in the memorabilia to the Amherst County Museum by October 28, 2016 to be considered for inclusion in Amherst County's first-ever visitor center. Museum Address: 154 South Main Street in the Town of Amherst.
Telephone number: 434-946-9068. Hours of Operation: Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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Amherst County Visitors Center
Will Soon be Open
!
What began in 1995 at the Amherst County Chamber of Commerce's Annual Awards Dinner with an announcement from community leader Marshall Mays, gifting the Depot to the Chamber of Commerce for future use as their office and a Visitors Center for the County is now a vision come true.
At the September 6, 2016 Amherst County Board of Supervisors meeting, the Amherst County Chamber of Commerce received a unanimous vote to occupy and manage the visitors center. The Train Depot, Amherst County's first-ever Visitors Center will soon open its doors to travelers passing through, visitors, and local residents.
Towards the end of 2016, the Amherst County Chamber of Commerce (the "Chamber") will take up residence in the Train Depot located off Route 60 in Amherst. Recognizing the Chamber's recent efforts promoting tourism and the business community, the Board of Supervisors tasked the Chamber with handling tourism on behalf of Amherst County. For years, tourism has been underemphasized in the County. The Board of Supervisors recent decision marks a turning point in the County's history. The Chamber welcomes this new challenge with open arms.
The goal is, without question, to generate tourism growth and development in the County. An influx of tourism dollars will hopefully provide a much needed boost to local businesses. This effort, however, will be limited by the level of funding provided by the Board of Supervisors for tourism projects. One such project would be the development and dissemination of brochures to be placed in visitor's centers across the state. Other projects, particularly larger in scope, will depend on funding.
Funding is largely predicated on the transient occupancy tax, or hotel tax. While tourism will start on a smaller scale due to the amount of revenue generated from the hotel tax, the Chamber remains optimistic that tourism will continue to grow and flourish. By law, the Board of Supervisors is required to spend 60% of the hotel tax on tourism for the County. Successful growth of the hotel tax will, in turn, grow the tourism budget. Naturally, more projects can be undertaken with a larger budget. To avoid relying exclusively on the hotel tax, the Chamber will also seek grants available through the Virginia Tourism Corporation, an organization dedicated to promoting tourism in Virginia.
One significant feature about the Chamber's role in tourism will be the development of a tourism council. In the upcoming months, the Chamber will be soliciting members from different sections the tourism industry to fill council seats. Many businesses are at the heart of tourism, such as wineries, restaurants, and boutique shops. The Chamber seeks to draw upon the experiences of these local business owners to help be the architects of the County's tourism plan.
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Community Viewpoints....
The New Era-Progress is adding a new section called Community Viewpoints and Needs Your Help.
Each week the public will be asked to weigh in on a question pertaining to national, state or local issues.
If you live in Amherst County, please participate. We ask that you give your thoughts and state your name and area of residence in the county.
Here's this week's question
:
What is your favorite part of the fall season and why?
Note: Due to space restrictions, answers should be 150 words or less. To email the answer,
please send to editor@neweraprogress.com
or
nsteenburgh@newsadvance.com
with Community Viewpoint in the subject line.
Please include name and area of residence.
Deadline for comments for the next issue is 9 a.m. October 4th.
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FRIDAY CHEERS
at Blue Mountain Barrel House!
LIVE MUSIC EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT
5pm - 9pm
UNTIL THE LAST WEEK IN OCTOBER
10/14 - Tara Mills
10/21 - Stillhouse All Stars
10/28 - John Tracy
Blue Mountain Barrel House - 495 Cooperative Way, Arrington, VA
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The Virginia Wine & Garlic Festival
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RAIN OR SHINE!!!
26th Annual Garlic Festival Promises a Stinkin' Good Time will be held
October 8-9, 2016, 10 am to 5 pm
at
2229 North Amherst Highway
Amherst, Virginia
Now in its 26th year, the festival is one of the largest on the east coast and attracts wine lovers and garlic foodies from far and wide. The two day event includes Virginia wineries offering tastings and selling their wines, continuous entertainment on four stages, over one hundred food and craft vendors, Garlic Queen and Jr. Queen contests, and the grand Garlic Cookoff.
Tickets at www.virginiagarlicfestival.com
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Always a Stinkin' Good Time - Good Wine, Good Food, Good Entertainment!
Nine Wineries!
4 Stages: 8 bands each day
Ticket Information
Wine Tasting: $30 at the gates
Non-Tasting: $20 at the gates
(Tickets may be upgraded to 2-day passes at the gate - $10)
Children 12 and under: FREE!
Pets and outside coolers are not allowed
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FALL EVENTS
AT
AMHERST COUNTY MUSEUM & HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Sunday, October 9, 2:30 p.m.
Cemetery Tour in the Pleasant View Area
Join us as we visit the Cemeteries at Timothy Baptist Church, St. Luke's Episcopal Church and Allwood at El Bethel United Methodist Church. Tour starts at El Bethel at 2:30 p.m. Free.
Directions to El Bethel UMC:
West from Amherst Circle on Rt. 60, 11.7 miles, left on Rt. 635, 2.2 miles to church on left side of road.
Sunday, November 6, 2:30 p.m.
The Rural Landscape of Amherst County
Sandi Esposito's talk will take a look at typical farm outbuildings of the 19th to 20th century. The slide presentation will include tobacco barns, covered bridges, spring houses, ice houses, and more.
Hamble Center, behind the Museum. Free.
Hamble Center
154 South Main Street
Amherst, VA 24502
Phone: 434-946-9068
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Amherst Apple Harvest Festival
Oct. 15th & 16th
Saturday, October 15, 2016
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 16, 2016
12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.
at Amherst County High School
139 Lancer Lane, Amherst VA
Sponsored by the Amherst Assoc for Family & Community Education Incorporation
- APPLES
- CRAFTS
- ENTERTAINMENT
- KID'S ACTIVITIES
- FESTIVAL FOOD
- VENDORS & DISPLAYS
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Invitation to Participate in the
Town of Amherst
Downtown Pedestrian Safety and Walkability Study
All Town residents, property owners and business operators as well as other individuals who are interested in the matter are invited to a public meeting on the
Town of Amherst Downtown Pedestrian Safety and Walkability Study
4 - 6 PM on October 18, 2016
in the Town Hall at 174 S. Main Street, Amherst
This session will be conducted by consultants in an open house format where the following would be discussed:
Phase 1: Work that VDOT will need to do in support of its project to mill and repave N. Main Street and S. Main Street in 2017. This work is expected to include curb and gutter repairs and improved handicap ramps as well as an improved situation at the traffic light.
Phase 2: Different pavement striping to involve crosswalk markings, on-street parking space layouts, safety and channelization areas and bicycle lanes.
Phase 3: Altered curb locations that are intended to promote pedestrian safety and provide opportunities for future streetscape elements.
Graphics depicting Phases 2 and 3 are attached (there is no graphic for Phase 1). Larger editions are available for review in the lobby of the Town Hall until the meeting and then available for discussion during the session.
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Sweet Briar College
134 Chapel Rd, Sweet Briar, VA 24595
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Coming October 22nd...the Hackensaw Boys!
Blazing a trail across the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast, American roots music wonders Hackensaw Boys
are coming to Amherst, with tunes from
Charismo,
their first studio release in almost ten years.
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Would you like to be a volunteer reader? Call (434) 455-6914 to register!
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WHEN:
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28TH
6:00 PM UNTIL 8:00 PM
WHERE:
VIRGINIA SELECT AUTO
1873 SOUTH AMHERST HWY, AMHERST, VA
(434)381-0300
VIRGINIA SELECT AUTO WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE A SAFE
ALTERNATIVE TO THE TRADITIONAL DOOR-TO-DOOR
STYLE TRICK-OR-TREATING!
CHILDREN AGES 12 AND UNDER, AND THEIR PARENTS,
ARE WELCOME TO JOIN US FOR GAMES, ENTERTAINMENT,
TRUNK-OR-TREATING AND MORE!!!
ALL CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED
BY AN ADULT AT ALL TIMES.
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Lazy Days Winery
1351 N Amherst Hwy,
Amherst, VA
24521
(434) 381-6088
October 29th, 2016
5:00-10:00 pm
Music by:
Plan B &
Apple Butter Soul
Wine tasting, Sangria Station, and beer available for purchase
Costume contest, bonfire at sunset, corn hole, shopping vendors
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Calling ALL Chili Cookers!
Prepare your favorite chili recipe and WIN!
Stop in at Loose Shoe Brewing Company to sign up
or give them a call so you can be added to the list.
BEER
CHILI
MUSIC
FUN TIMES
All for a GREAT Cause!
Where:
Loose Shoe Brewing Company
198 Ambriar Plaza, Amherst
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CALLING ALL GARDENERS EXPERIENCED OR NOT
JOIN THE VILLAGE GARDEN CLUB
* HELP BEAUTIFY AMHERST
* EXPERIENCED MEMBERS TO SHARE WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE
*
PROJECTS AVAILABLE & NEED MANAGEMENT
* ANNUAL GARDEN FEST
* 63-YEAR HISTORY OF BEAUTIFYING AMHERST
* AFFILIATE OF VIRGINIA FEDERATION OF GARDEN CLUBS, INC.
"No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth,
and no culture comparable to that of the garden."
~ Thomas Jefferson ~
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PRESENTS the 2016-2017 AMHERST MUSIC SERIES
INDIVIDUAL AND SEASON TICKETS
at (434) 989-3215, Door of Venue or
LynchburgTickets.com
10 PERFORMANCES IN 6 BEAUTIFUL AMHERST COUNTY LOCATIONS
ADMISSION DISCOUNTS FOR SEASON TICKET HOLDERS
and RESTAURANT 10% DISCOUNTS on FOOD at PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS
Richard Stone, lutenist
October 30, 4:00 pm
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
670 Patrick Henry Highway, Amherst, VA
Richard Stone is co-founder and co-director of Tempesta di Mare Baroque Orchestra of Philadelphia. He will play a solo recital built around J.S. Bach's Suite in G Minor, "Pièces de Luth pour Monsieur Schouster."
Scott Williamson, Tenor,
Anthony Harvey, Guitar
November 20, 4:00 pm
Emmanuel United Methodist Church
401 N. Main Street, Amherst, VA
Scott Williamson will sing Britten's Songs from the Chinese, selections from Britten's Complete English Folk Songs;
and Robert Schumann's Dichterliebe. He will be accompanied by Anthony Harvey.
The James String Quartet
December 11, 3:00 pm
Amherst Presbyterian Church
163 Second Street, Amherst, VA
Family Christmas Concert by the principal musicians of The James Chamber Players will include a piece by Elgar and arrangements of season favorite carols and songs.
Please note time is 3:00 pm.
Alkemie
January 8, 4:00 pm
Emmanuel United Methodist Church
401 N. Main Street, Amherst, VA
Early music vocal and instrumental ensemble Alkemie specializes in medieval music and dance. Their program will include materials from 12th night celebrations.
Peggy Howell and Cantate
February 12, 4:00 pm
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
670 Patrick Henry Highway, Amherst, VA
Peggy Haas Howell, organist, will be joined by Cantate Children's and Youth Choir of Central Virginia. Included in the program are Georg Böhm's choral Freu dich sehr. J.S. Bach's Orgelbüchlein, the Messe d'Escalquens and several movements from 24 Pièces pour orgue ou harmonium by Jean Langlais.
Modern Musick
March 5, 4:00 pm
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
670 Patrick Henry Highway, Amherst, VA
Modern Musick focuses on diverse genres and composers from the early modern era utilizing period instruments and performance practice techniques.
Elena Mullins and Friends
March 26, 4:00 pm
Sweet Briar Chapel
134 Chapel Road, Sweet Briar, VA
Singer and composer Elena Mullins will premiere AGAR-commissioned songs composed from the poetry of Christine de Pizan. Accompanying her are David McCormick on violin and Anthony Harvey on lute and theorbo.
The James String Quartet
April 7, 7:30 pm
Amherst Presbyterian Church
163 Second Street, Amherst, VA
The Forest-based quartet will play arrangements of ragtime songs by Scott Joplin, the music to Alfred Hitchcock's classic film "Psycho," Philip Glass' Mishima #3, and Mendelssohn's String Quartet Opus 44 No. 1
TICKET INFORMATION
Individual tickets:
- $15 adults, $2 children (K-12)
- $5 college student with ID
Season tickets, Amherst series:
- 10 concerts $100 for adults ($50 savings)
- 5 concerts for $60 ($15 savings)
- students/children $20
Get 10% Off Your Meal!
Subscribers and ticket holders (including online ticket holders) get 10% off a meal on the day of each concert (alcohol excluded as required by law). Show your ticket or reservation and get 10% off at the following restaurants:
- Market at Main, 904 Main Street, Lynchburg
- Travelers, 202 S. Main Street, Amherst
- Winton (Winton Monthly Brunch or the Tavern), 599 Patrick Henry Highway, Amherst
Two restaurants closed on Sundays offer 10% off on a meal (no alcohol) the week after AGAR concerts (Tues.-Sat.) when you show your ticket:
- Koto Grill, 1758 Amherst Highway, Madison Heights
- Lola's, 188 S. Main Street, Amherst
AGAR
P.O. Box 117
Clifford, VA 24533
434-989-3215
AGAR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit , founded in 2006, which operates with support from government, foundation, corporate and individual sources. AGAR is funded in part with grants from the Virginia Commission for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Greater Lynchburg Community Trust.
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Thinking and Drinking Thursdays
Trivia in the Taproom every Thursday at 7:00 pm
Random questions for increased useful and useless knowledge.
Join the fun and strain your brain!
Win a pint on the pay it forward door and be entered to win a shirt
on the last trivia Thursday of the month until trivia season concludes.
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YOGA, TAI CHI, QI GUNG & BELLY DANCING CLASSES!
Individual yoga classes are not necessarily a restorative yoga approach. Anyone may have physical and/or emotional challenges. Group class movement and breath practice may help some of these, but focused attention to individual needs provides deeper and direct benefits.
A private yoga session is often therapeutic yoga with specific breath, physical movement, other sensory input and meditation practice to assist healing. It considers how you walk, sit, and stand-even diet-to emphasize healthy patterns and personal taking charge of your own well-being.
Group classes on Tuesdays. As a reminder, 9:15am is an active class, 11:00am is a gentle class, and 6:00pm seems to be a mixed beginning/intermediate class which usually indicates some experience but suitable for beginners. Every class enjoys a meditative aspect.
Drumming - Sunday at 2:00pm. $48/session or $15/drop in class, with drummer extraordinaire, Malcolm Dendtler, African, Afro-Cuban, Latin beats. We have an acknowledgement of the healing power of drumming and its spiritual component.
Belly Dance classes continue on Wednesdays at 11:00am.
We are planning another
Tai Chi and
Qi Gung workshop which will build on our practice in our earlier presentations, Saturday, Oct. 15, 10-12:30. Anyone interested can participate, no experience needed.
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Tribute to WWII Veterans
A tribute to World War II veterans, "Dawn of Infamy: America Goes to War" will be held to mark the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor and America's entry into World War II, which
was a turning point in a conflict that had been raging since September 1939. As a nation, it is important that we honor our heroes and their service, and that we work to preserve and remember their stories. Beginning this year, nations across the world are marking the 100th anniversary of World War I and the 75th anniversary of World War II.
During World War II, more than 400,000 Americans paid the ultimate price of freedom, more than 11,000 of whom were Virginians. Twenty-five years before that, more than 100,000 Virginians served in World War I, with more than 3,700 dying from disease, combat, and training accidents. We can never forget their sacrifice.
Plan now to join us on Thursday, December 8 to mark these significant anniversaries and to remember the day, 75 years before, that the country came together to fight for freedom. But even more, join us to thank the men and women who bravely stand in harm's way to secure our freedom . . . yesterday, today, and forever.
There will be an honor parade of World War II veterans, special recognition ceremony, and lunch will be provided.
This program is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required at VirginiaWorldWarII.org
For more information or to register large groups, please contact Cheryl Jackson, Executive Director, at cjackson@dls.virginia.gov or 804-786-3591, ext. 276.
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Free and available for use by any local organization!
INSTRUCTIONS:
That's it...All done!
The Amherst County Community Calendar is managed by the
Amherst County Chamber of Commerce
. Please note, the Community Calendar is available for all area organizations; you do not have to be a member of the Chamber to list an event. If you need assistance, please contact Vanessa Angus at the Chamber office (434) 946-0990.
Certain restrictions may apply.
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Amherst County School Board Meeting Schedule ~ 2016-2017
Meetings are held on the second and fourth Thursdays at 6:00 pm unless noted otherwise in the
board room of the School Administration Office - 153 Washington Street, Amherst.
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Amherst County Board of Supervisors Meetings ~ 2016-2017
Meetings are regularly held on the first and third Tuesday of each month.
The first Tuesday meeting convenes at 1:00 pm. The third Tuesday month meeting convenes at 7:00 pm.
All meetings of the county Board of Supervisors are held in the County Administrators Building at Second and Washington Streets unless otherwise noted.
Board of Supervisors Inclement Weather Policy:
If a Board of Supervisors meeting is cancelled due to inclement weather, the meeting will be held on the following Monday, unless a holiday, in which case the meeting would be held on the following Tuesday. Pursuant to Virginia Code 15.2-1416, all hearings and other matters previously advertised shall be conducted at the continued meeting and no further advertisement is required.
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Governor McAuliffe and the Commonwealth of Virginia want to know if you are online. If you are in need of internet service please take a moment to answer a few questions regarding your need. Responses will be mapped and shared with policy makers to stimulate broadband policy and funding discussions throughout the remainder of the administration.
Let's get our rural communities online!
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ATTENTION:
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Welcome to Our Newest Members!
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There is no better way to introduce your business, service, and/or expertise to the Amherst community than through membership with the Chamber. The Amherst County Chamber of Commerce is continuously working to create new ways to promote the region and the advancement of the business community.
Our goal at the Chamber is to help business owners network and grow their business. At the Chamber of Commerce we work diligently to help our members achieve their business goals each year. We measure our success by our members' success.
Your business membership with the Chamber makes programs, services, and events possible, and without your partnership we cannot accomplish our shared mission of a thriving, profitable business community.
TOP REASONS to JOIN the CHAMBER:
ADVERTISING/PROMOTION
Chamber Website:
All members are listed on our website,
www.amherstvachamber.com
, in the business directory which is where up to 4,000 people go each month searching for businesses and organizations like yours! With the membership portal you can promote "Hot Deals", job opportunities, upcoming events and more.
Social Media:
With over 1,000 subscribers on Facebook and Twitter, you can utilize the Amherst County Chamber of Commerce (ACCC) to promote your business, events, special announcements.
Weekly e-Blasts:
Our weekly communications highlight our members, Chamber events and events in the county, and important state/legislative information that matters to your business. Currently
delivered to the inbox of approximately 400 people and then cross-posted on Facebook and Twitter to reach hundreds more
.
Send us your newsworthy announcements and events and we will get the word out!
Amherst County Guidebook:
This annual magazine is distributed throughout Central Virginia and is published in conjunction with ACCC as advertisement for Amherst County. Chamber members are listed in the publication at no cost and also have the opportunity to purchase additional advertising at a discounted rate.
NETWORKING
Amherst County 3rd Thursdays:
Monthly
networking opportunities to meet potential customers, clients, and vendors to generate new business leads.
Annual Business Appreciation Awards Dinner:
A special evening set aside to honor Amherst County businesses for their commitment to serving our residents, visitors, friends and family.
INCREASED CREDIBILITY
Join Today:
As a Chamber member, you increase positive perception among consumers and business owners:
According to a research study by The Shapiro Group, Inc. and Market Street Services, when consumers know that a business is a member of their local Chamber of Commerce, they are 44% more likely to think favorably of it and 63% more likely to purchase good or services from the company in the future.
GRAND OPENINGS
Ribbon Cuttings:
The best way to quickly bring awareness to your business. This ceremony introduces you and your employees, along with your location, products, and/or services to the community.
Contact the Chamber to reserve a date and time.
ADVOCACY
The Chamber works with our members to support local and state policies that create an environment favorable to business, community growth and development.
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Our Hometown ~ Amherst County, Virginia
Video created by Kobault Films
for Amherst County Chamber of Commerce
Kobault Films is a spin-off of the Amherst County High School Tech Club
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Do you have an Upcoming EVENT,
Hot Deal
or Special ANNOUNCEMENT?
If your business or organization is a current member of the Amherst County Chamber of Commerce, send us your events and public notices, we'll be happy to share in our weekly eBlasts.
Please email notices in jpg format to:
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Thank you to our Corporate Sponsors:
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