Lynchburg Reporter

The City of Lynchburg’s Office of Economic Development & Tourism released its FY 2022 Annual Report on September 29. The Annual Report gives an overview of the Office of Economic Development & Tourism’s three main goals, accomplishments and projects over the past year, as well as economic trends and data in the City of Lynchburg. 

“Our collective focus in the Office of Economic Development& Tourism is to lead business retention, expansion and attraction efforts – including tourism assets – entrepreneurship and marketing and promotion for the City,” said Marjette Upshur Director of Economic Development & Tourism. 

The Office of Economic Development & Tourism supports the business community to create a healthier economy and deliver better services to citizens through business development, support services, placemaking and marketing. 

“Through business development, support services, placemaking and marketing we are not only serving the business community but removing barriers for each and every citizen of our City to achieve success,” Upshur said. “The growth of existing businesses, anchors and destination assets are our number one economic development priority.” 

Goals of the Office of Economic Development & Tourism:

1.    Support and grow LYH businesses and destination assets

2.    Position LYH as the best small city in America

3.    Drive long-term economic growth and resilience 

Standout Economic & Tourism Data in the City of Lynchburg :

•    The median age in LYH is 28.5 years old.

•    In 2020, there were 23,161 graduates from LYH colleges and universities.

•    More than 6,000 work in the City’s manufacturing sector – 22% more than the national average.

•    Last year, we experienced a 3.8% growth in average wage per worker. Nursing is the #1 in demand skill.

•    Domestic tourism to the City of Lynchburg has recovered 120% from July 2019.

•    Spending in local businesses (lodging, shopping, dining) has risen above pre-pandemic levels.

•    The Office of Economic Development & Tourism permitted special events in FY 22, generating $1.5 million in business sales.

•    We secured 60 groups/events in FY2 22 across our target tourism sectors – meetings and conferences, leisure travel and sports tourism – with an estimated economic impact of $10.94 million.

•    Our communications team increased blog traffic to lynchburgvirginia.org by 90%. 

Read the Annual Report HERE.

Original source can be found here.