From the quality of its workforce to its prime transportation location, Amherst County offers a wide variety of strategic advantages for any business looking to relocate its operations.
#1 – Low cost to do business
We offer companies predictable savings in operating costs that are below the national average.
- Business tax rates are well below the national average – both Amherst County tax rates & Virginia state taxes. Learn More »
- Central location on east coast means excellent long haul freight rates.
- The 6% Virginia corporate income tax rate has not increased in over forty years and is one of the lowest in the nation.
- Low cost industrial land with infrastructure
- Building costs in Amherst County are 15% below the national
- Water Rates are highly competitive. In 2013 they were 11% less than the state average. Learn More »
- Sewer rates are even more competitive. In 2013 Amherst County rates were 30% less than the state average. Learn More »
- In 2014, electric rates in Amherst County for the industrial sector were approximately 25% lower than the national average.
- Virginia has one of the lowest average worker’s compensation costs in the nation and has been consistently among the lowest cost states for over 15 years. Learn More »
- The unemployment insurance tax rate is the 5th lowest in the nation and is 33% lower than the national average. Learn More »
#2 – Superior Location
Central location on the eastern seaboard means 1-day access to major East coast metro areas.
- Halfway between Maine and Florida
- 40% of the U.S. population falls within a one-day (10 hour) drive.
- In a single day’s drive, vehicles leaving Amherst County can reach every major metropolitan area on the east coast between New York and Atlanta. Other major destinations, such as Chicago, New England, and the Canadian border, are just a few hours beyond.
- Central location means excellent long haul freight rates
- 4-Lane divided highway with quick access to major east-west and north-south interstates.
- Rail access sites available.
#4 – Virginia is Pro-Business
Virginia has a strong, educated labor force and a pro-business regulatory climate according to Forbes.com.
Did you know?
- Virginia is ranked #1 by Forbes in pro-business regulatory environment
- Virginia is ranked #2 by Forbes in labor supply
- Virginia is ranked #5 by Forbes in quality of life
(source: Forbes.com – October 2015 rankings)- Virginia is ranked #5 by Forbes for best state for business (source: Forbes. com – November 2017)
Virginia is One of the Best States for Business
(Source: VEDP, Virginia Economic Development Partnership)
Virginia provides a wealth of opportunities, a great atmosphere for development and expansion, and leadership that truly understands the importance of maintaining the best business environment for economic prosperity. Virginia’s profit-friendly environment is due to:
- Competitive Operating Costs
- Stable Taxes
- Business Incentives
Pro-Business Advantages for Companies
- Strategic east-coast location and excellent infrastructure provide easy access to national and global markets.
- Stable, low tax costs for corporations and individuals and a 6% corporate income tax.
- Minimized payroll costs with low worker’s compensation rates and a low unemployment tax.
- Favorable business environment that protects “at will” and “right-to-work” employment practices.
- One of the highest-ranked states in high-technology employment.
- A vibrant and diverse multi-cultural community where employees can live and work.
- An experienced, educated and productive workforce puts Virginia in the top 10 states for productivity.
- Recruitment and training programs to help businesses become operational faster and maintain their competitive advantage.
Virginia’s Cost-Effective Operating Climate
Believe it or not, companies have improved their bottom lines just by locating in Virginia. From soft costs like healthier, more productive workers, to hard costs like cheaper, available and reliable electricity, these companies have benefited from the combination of resources that only a Virginia location can offer.
Stable Taxes
Virginia’s corporate income tax has not been raised in forty years, since 1972. At 6 percent, our rate is one of the lowest in the nation.
Business Incentives – Investing in Each Other
Virginia works enthusiastically with new and expanding employers that create a high standard of living for Virginians and enhance local and state economies through increased revenue growth. Incentives are Virginia’s investment in its economic future and a business decision for both the Commonwealth and the company. As a result, they must make good fiscal sense for all parties. Virginia continues to demonstrate a willingness to invest in those who invest in the Commonwealth.
Designed to target the needs of the company and the development plans of localities and the state, Virginia offers a variety of performance-based incentives. From tax credits to tax exemptions, Virginia continues to demonstrate its willingness to invest in those who invest and reinvest in the Commonwealth.
Our highly trained workforce of over 230,000 is drawn from a excellent mix of job experiences across seven counties and five cities. Companies in Amherst County agree the workforce has strong work ethic and low absenteeism rates. Very low union activity combined with Virginia’s Right-To-Work law creates an ideal environment for businesses.
Here is a quick view of Amherst County’s workforce.
Amherst County | Extended Labor Market | Total | |
---|---|---|---|
Population | 32,300 | 461,400 | 493,700 |
Labor Force | 15,110 | 211,916 | 227,026 |
Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.3% |
Labor knows no boundaries. Workers in the region commute long distances for good jobs.
Extended Labor Market
Within Amherst County’s extended labor market is the Lynchburg Region, a 2,000 square mile area composed of the City of Lynchburg; the counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell; and the towns of Altavista, Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, and Brookneal. For the Lynchburg Region labor market information go to Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance»
For additional detailed labor information on Amherst County, go to the Virginia Employment Commission community profile.
Postsecondary Education in the Amherst Region: Essential Workforce Development
Collectively, more than 800 engineering students graduate from the institutions on our map each year. And just two hours away is Virginia Tech, offering still more resources for research and talent.
Other nearby institutions include James Madison University in Harrisonburg (about 90 minutes’ drive) and Mary Baldwin University in Staunton (about an hour away).
Area Educational Institutions
Central location on the eastern seaboard means 1-day access to major East coast metro areas.
Highways
- 4-Lane divided highway (Rt 29) through the county with easy access to I-64 (east-west) , I-81(north-south), and US 460.
- The U.S. Route 29 corridor in the eastern region of the county has become the focal point for most commercial, industrial and residential development. The county is part of the Lynchburg Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).
- Virginia maintains the third largest state-maintained transportation network including the major Interstate routes of I-95, I-81, I-64, I-85, I-77, and I-66.
- Central location means excellent long haul freight rates
Airports
- Local: Lynchburg Regional Airport is 15 minutes away
- Regional: Charlottesville Regional Airport is 1 hour away.
- International: Washington Dulles International is less than 3 hours with non-stop commercial airline service to over 100 destinations worldwide.
Rail
- Two of the nation’s largest railroads, CSX Corporation and Norfolk Southern Corporation, serve the area.
- Rail access sites available.
- Amtrak has daily service to Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York.
Seaports
- Norfolk International Terminals, Newport News Marine Terminal, the Virginia Inland Port in Front Royal, the Port of Richmond, and the Port of Virginia (4 hours east by 4-lane highway) offer one of the largest intermodal networks on the U.S. East Coast and a naturally deep harbor devoid of overhead obstructions.
Utilities in Amherst County, Virginia
Electricity
- American Electric Power (AEP) provides steady, reliable power to Amherst County businesses. Electric rates are approximately 25% lower than the national average (depending on usage). Learn More »
- Central Virginia Electric Cooperative provides service to the northern section of the county.
Natural Gas
- Columbia Gas of Virginia in southern portion of the county
Water
- Amherst County Service Authority. Water rates are highly competitive. In 2013 they were 11% less than the state average. Learn More »
- Town of Amherst Municipal Water. Learn More »
Sewer
- Amherst County Service Authority. Sewer rates are even more competitive. In 2013 Amherst County rates were 30% less than the state average. Learn More »
- Town Of Amherst Municipal Sewer. Learn More »
Telecommunications
- Verizon
- Comcast
- Lumos
- Mid Atlantic Broadband
- Ntelos
Taxes
Local & State
Local taxes in Amherst County are well below the national average, offering significant tax savings to companies and their employees. Learn More »
Incentives
Local & State
Amherst County wants your business. We work hard to understand the needs of companies and work proactively to address them. We understand every project is unique and we are ready to find creative ways to meet the constantly changing demands of business. Learn More »
Manufacturing in Amherst County, Virginia
Name | Business Type | # of Employees |
---|---|---|
Clorox / Glad Plant | Plastic Bags | 364 |
Greif | Paper Mill, Containerboard | 300 |
England’s Stove Works | Wood Burning Stoves | 175 |
Buffalo Air Handling | Industrial/Commercial Air Handling Equipment | 101 |
S&S / TruBall | Metal Fabrication, Archery Equipment | 95 |
Shibuya Hoppman | Packaging Machinery | 75 |
Cooper Steel | Structural Steel Fabricator | 40 |
Quality Archery Design | Archery Equipment | 40 |
Hermle North America | Clocks, Furniture | 30 |
Non-Manufacturing
Amherst County, Virginia
Name | Business Type | # of Employees |
---|---|---|
Central Virginia Training Center | Residential Facility for People with Intellectual Disabilities | 150 |
Sweet Briar College | Higher Education | 186 |
Centra Health | Medical | 8,405 |
CSE, Inc. | Heavy duty cranes, Construction Metal Fabricators, Industrial Maintenance | 230-250 |
Old Dominion Job Corps | Residential Training Program | 130 |
Cowan Systems | Transportation | 125 |
H.T. Hackney | Wholesale Food Distributor | 72 |
Tyto Athene (formerly Black Box Govt. Solutions) | Communication/Technology Services | 40 |
Integrated Technology Group (ITG) | Technology Services | 22 |
Regional Large Employers
- Framatome, Inc.
- Automated Conveyor Systems, Inc.
- The Babcock & Wilcox Company
- Banker Steel Company, L.L.C.
- Bausch & Lomb Inc.
- Belvac – Production Machinery
- CENTRA
- Central Virginia Community College
- Delta Star, Inc
- Fleet Laboratories
- Flowserve
- Genworth Financial
- Griffin Pipe Products Company
- Hanwha Azdel
- HARRIS Corporation/RF Communications Division
- International Paper
- J. Crew
- Liberty University
- Lynchburg College
- Sonny Merryman, Inc.
- The News & Advance
- Parker Hannifin
- Progress Printing Plus
- Randolph College
- RR Donnelley
- Southern Air, Inc.
- Southside Electric Cooperative
- StarTek Inc., Lynchburg
- Teva Pharmaceuticals
- Westminster Canterbury
- Westover Dairy
- Wiley/ Wilson
Low Cost of Living – High Quality of Life
An abundance of natural beauty, easy commutes, affordable homes and proximity to cities make it easy to live and work in Amherst County. Views of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, the George Washington National Forest, the James and Piney rivers, are all part of the attraction of Amherst for both residents and visitors alike. It’s no wonder Amherst has extremely high air quality and water quality indexes.