Appomattox County Chamber of Commerce ceases operations

If you have not yet learned, the Appomattox County Chamber of Commerce has ceased operations. Having been part of its leadership for several years, I would like to offer my perspective on why this occurred.

Historically, a Chamber of Commerce was vital to the representation of a community’s business environment, was instrumental in the dispersion of information to visitors and new residents, and served as a forum for communication among local prominent business leaders. Over the past generation or so, other areas have evolved.

Economic Development Authorities (EDA) are now an integral part of the promotion of an area’s business opportunities. In Lynchburg, the Chamber and EDA basically merged to form the Lynchburg Area Business Alliance. In Appomattox, we have two EDAs.

There’s more to this in the current issue of the Times Virginian newspaper. Support local journalism by purchasing the issue at a local newsstand or subscribing at www.timesvirginian.com/subscriber_services to receive the print edition or view the full article in the e-edition version.