EDA hears staff report: Lynchburg tourism impact tops $25.3 million; updates on sites, airport and staffing

The Economic Development Authority of the City of Lynchburg received a staff update at its July 16 meeting reporting that the projected fiscal year 2026 tourism economic impact exceeded $25,300,000, an increase of more than $8,000,000 over FY25.

The presentation, given by a staff member identified in the meeting as Marjette, covered a series of development and operations items. Marjette told the board the Business Ready Sites program work tied to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) is ongoing and that construction bids for a local project were received; one bidder has been selected and staff will finish a performance agreement once the contractor is engaged. “Once we get the construction group in place, then we can finish completing the performance agreement,” she said.

Marjette also said United Airlines will introduce a new morning departure that will station an aircraft overnight in Lynchburg and improve same-day connections — for example enabling day trips to Washington — an operational change she said would be “really, really great.”

On local property, the presenter reported that tenants have vacated the former Business Development Center at 147 Mill Ridge Road to make way for redevelopment. She said staff is preparing a proposal with VEDP for an existing, unnamed business that would be part of that redevelopment effort.

The authority was told that annual reports for both enterprise zones were filed the previous day. Marjette said Point of Honor has had refurbishment work and a new structure for events; staff are considering an end-of-September date for a related event but said the date still needs vetting.

Staffing was the final topic: Marjette said interviews have been conducted virtually, candidates will be brought in next week for in-person meetings, and new hires are expected later in July. She thanked committee members for their service and noted that an individual named Adrian has been hired by an associated office.

Procedural items: the board approved the June 18 meeting minutes after a motion and second; members present signified their approval with “aye.” The meeting deferred election of officers and any committee reassignments until the August meeting because two recently reappointed members had not yet taken their oaths. The board confirmed there were no items for closed session and adjourned.

The EDA did not take further formal actions at the July 16 meeting; staff indicated follow-up actions will include finalizing the performance agreement for the construction project, advancing the Mill Ridge Road redevelopment proposal with VEDP, and completing hiring processes. The board will consider officer elections and committee assignments at its August meeting.