5 Growing Industries in Lynchburg, VA
Keep an eye on these developing sectors in Lynchburg.
An energy of excitement and innovation hums throughout Lynchburg, VA. Known as the “City of Seven Hills,” this flourishing community, particularly its business scene, is moving forward in strides, and it’s easy to see why. It boasts a prime location — it’s situated in the heart of Virginia and it’s a short drive to both the state capital in Richmond and Washington, D.C. Plus, LYH’s numerous business resources and high quality of life make it attractive to both people and companies. Read on to learn about five industries that are growing in Lynchburg.
In This Article
1. Manufacturing
Manufacturing is a top-performing industry in Lynchburg and has been since the 1880s. Early companies included the Lynchburg Cotton Mill, Lynchburg Foundry and Machine Works and The Craddock Terry Shoe Co., which became the fifth-largest shoe company in the world.
These businesses paved the way for industry expansion, forging a path for today’s companies. Examples include:
- Electronic Design & Manufacturing, an electronic contract manufacturer.
- Delta Star, the largest American-owned medium transformer manufacturer in the U.S. It recently announced plans to invest $30.2 million in the city to expand its manufacturing and headquarters operation.
- Flowserve, which manufactures some of the world’s leading flow control products and offers a range of flow management services for global infrastructure markets.
- BW Packaging, a global supplier of packaging equipment and solutions.
Growth in Lynchburg’s manufacturing sector is expected to continue.
“There is a national effort and movement to bring manufacturing back to the U.S.,” says Georgeann Snead, president and CEO of Electronic Design & Manufacturing. “The same is true in Lynchburg. Manufacturing remains an important industry here, and the culture of this community and the people make for a good employee.”
2. Nuclear Energy
Lynchburg is also making an impact on the nuclear energy field. Two nuclear energy service providers headquartered here are Framatome, an international leader in nuclear energy, and BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT). With approximately 7,000 employees, BWXT has 14 major operating sites in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. About 2,600 of its employees work in the Lynchburg area. BWXT joint ventures provide management and operations at a dozen U.S. Department of Energy and NASA facilities.
Joe Miller, president of BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC and subsidiaries Cunico and Dynamic Controls, Ltd., says the appeal of nuclear is expanding, and LYH is well-positioned to take advantage of it.
“New technologies make nuclear power more affordable, faster to market, and more focused on specialized use cases, which is one reason why this industry is growing rapidly,” Miller says. “I see this new appreciation for nuclear’s clean energy appeal in the people we hire at BWXT. A career in nuclear allows you to work on projects that produce carbon emissions-free power, restore the environment and use technology.”
Lynchburg appeals to workers of all ages, which makes recruiting individuals for this industry easier than expected.
“I’ve traveled the globe with previous employers and the U.S. Navy, and I continue to be impressed that in a city like Lynchburg, you can contribute to world-class technical work all day and run into friends at activities at night,” Miller says. “You can build your life here, make a difference and enjoy your family.”
3. IT/Technology
Also advancing in Lynchburg is the IT/technology sector. Area employers making waves in this field include Innovative Wireless Technologies (IWT), which focuses on wireless communication solutions, and CloudFit Software, which offers managed IT services and cybersecurity solutions.
Launched in 2018, CloudFit already leads the market in “managed scenarios” for cloud across Fortune 500, Department of Defense and regulated industries. Plus, in 2023, it ranked on the Inc. 5000 list, which highlights the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S., for the third consecutive year.
Educated workers come from all over to work in the region’s IT/tech scene because of its job opportunities and great quality of life.
One example is Justin Hensley, a principal personal trainer for information security and compliance at CloudFit Software, who moved to the Lynchburg area because of family circumstances. Hensley sought a place that offered better education and medical services but didn’t compromise on opportunity.
He says one of the biggest changes he’s seen in the tech industry is remote/hybrid work options.
“We don’t want people to grow up and leave the area. We want them to realize you can work from the Central Virginia area and get good jobs, even if you work remotely,” Hensley says. “There are six-figure jobs throughout Central Virginia and tech companies in Lynchburg still offering hybrid environments. These remote capabilities offer flexibility, which is a top concern. The fastest-growing job in technology is cybersecurity. I think Lynchburg has the opportunity to continue to grow in multiple areas, especially regarding technology.”
4. Health Care
The health care industry continues to evolve nearly everywhere, including Lynchburg.
“The pandemic taught the health care industry some profound lessons,” says Diane Ludwig, senior vice president and chief marketing and communications officer at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital. “Lynchburg provides such a diverse range of growing industries, but health care and medical services provide a significant (and needed) number of jobs in the region — providers, nurses, technologists and therapists are in high demand.”
In LYH alone, various factors influence the growth taking place in this industry.
“The high quality of life, including the strong sense of community that Lynchburg offers, is second to none. The lower cost of living, natural scenery and recreational opportunities also contribute to its attractiveness,” Ludwig says. “Residents might be drawn to Lynchburg because of some of the key employers in town, but the beautiful community and landscape keep them here. I think it’s such a wonderful place to raise a family – a sentiment I believe is shared by many.”
5. Higher Education
Lynchburg has a strong background in higher education, as its home to several prominent institutions, including Liberty University, the University of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College, Virginia University-Lynchburg and Randolph College. The number of education institutions here is unusual for a community of this size, as is the number of amenities, which staff and students find highly appealing.
“It is also unique to find a city with many restaurants, shopping and access to some of the most amazing hiking and outdoor opportunities anywhere on the East Coast,” says Aaron Basko, vice president for enrollment, marketing and communications for the University of Lynchburg. “Prices are reasonable, traffic is limited and the beauty of the mountains surrounds you. But there is also a feeling of community and trust. This is the kind of place where your neighbors will go out of their way to help you and where people have the good of the whole community at heart.”
Collaborations between area education institutions and businesses are creating growth in other industries.
“Health care and education are two areas finding more opportunities to work together,” Basko says. “These industries are helping to drive innovation and spur additional growth in technology. Employers can attract great people because it allows for vertical and horizontal job progression. Workers want to move to places where they have more than one choice of employer, and the area is becoming a dynamic job market.”
This article is sponsored by the City of Lynchburg offices of Economic Development & Tourism and Communications & Public Engagement.