Words from the Chamber

Spring is just around the corner, and the pandemic continues to show signs that its end is in sight, so I prefer to wear a mantle of optimism in spite of the ugliness that continues in the world around us.

Locally, how is our business environment? Are there signs of success in tourism, retail, services, manufacturing and government that make up our commerce? Can we find reasons to expect a better tomorrow?

Tourism is picking up. Efforts of the Appomattox Tourism Committee continue to bear fruit. Tax receipts from meals and lodging continue to rise. Expansion of the Carver-Price Legacy Museum and the incorporating of Civil Rights with our Civil War history promise to bring relevancy of “Where our Nation Reunited” to new segments of potential tourists to our community.

Our retail environment has apparently “held its own” during the pandemic with some variation in the success, or lack of, between various businesses. Walmart and Kroger continue to be the main draws into our commerce from nearby counties but many smaller venues that provide goods and/or services complement the attraction and benefit each other. Specialty shops like That’s Too Cute, auto parts stores, Wilkes Jewelers, etc., add to Appomattox as a shopping destination. The imminent opening of Branded Boutique by a young entrepreneur on Main Street is another positive as a vacant location gets occupied and a new reason to be downtown is created.

The services sector is broad with quite a bit of overlap into the retail sector. Restaurants, HVAC services, hair salons, auto services, etc., have varied degrees of product sales along with the expertise provided by owners/employees. The demand to maintain equipment and ourselves keeps these entities busy. Blue Ridge Medical Center is expanding into new facilities.

Manufacturing is stepping into the forefront.Some years ago, I was asked to provide some information on manufacturing in Appomattox as potential destinations for internships, etc., and I felt challenged to find possibilities to respond about. Stallworks/Virginia MetalFab was about the only option. Currently, the number of alternatives has not increased, but there is reason for optimism as Mr. Ron Martin is moving his operation to the former Thomasville location with expansion plans underway. Not only will additional employment in this sector be extremely important to our commercial health but the psychological improvement of once again seeing activity at the way-too-long vacant facility will have a positive influence.

Government-financed projects also influence our economy. The Downtown Revitalization Project continues to help improve façades, access and the general attractiveness of the central business district. The recently approved Church Street Waterline project will improve infrastructure and provide economic activity. Work is scheduled later this year on the long-planned Route 24 corridor that will require major construction activity.

Certainly, the troubles brewing elsewhere in our world may have a negative influence on us here but we must all look forward with hope and prayers that good will prevail and that our progress toward a better tomorrow will continue.

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