Advocacy

Business Advocacy- We are the Voice of Business

As the local Chamber of Commerce, we speak on behalf of our members to keep our region business friendly and economically fit . Local businesses give us our voice but we will not be heard unless our collective voice is strong. You CAN have a say in the political process. Together we CAN accomplish more.

Top Priorities:

Continue to fight for the completion of the US29 Bypass around Charlottesville reducing the congestion for members who need efficient travel to the north and east.

Work closely with the Committee to Advance the TransDominion Express to increase passenger rail service in Virginia.

Support funding requests to promote local economic development including funding for local private universities and colleges (TAG Grant), regional research projects and facilities (CAER), and tourism initiatives.

Protect Virginia’s Right to work by opposing national legislation to allow unions to form without a secret ballot. (Download our policy statement on the Employee Free Choice Act)

Protect business from increased tax burden by opposing state legislation allowing localities to raise taxes for the business community. (Homestead Exemption Tax)

Click for a PDF file of our Top Priorities
Click for a PDF file of our Top Accomplishments in the 2009 General Assembly

Legislative Agenda 2010

The Chamber develops an Annual Legislative Agenda that addresses local, state and federal issues. It is our policy to survey our members to discover issues of interest and concern. Once our membership has voiced a concern, we present the opportunity to act to our Legislative Affairs Committee and then to our Board of Directors for approval.

Click for PDF file of 2010 Legislative Agenda

Chamber Legislative Lobbyist during General Assembly Session:
Rex Hammond, CCE, President & CEO
Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce
Phone (434) 845-5966

Our Partners

We work closely with other pro-business interest groups to promote a healthy business climate in our region. Together we represent volumes of businesses making us a powerful voice at city hall, the Virginia General Assembly, and Congress.

VAWest Business & Legislative Coalition

Virginia Chamber

U.S. Chamber