Home - Amherst County Chamber of Commerce, VA

Amherst County blends the best of rural and suburban living with thriving businesses, agriculture, local industries, the beautiful campus and educational opportunities at Sweet Briar College, quaint small towns and shopping areas, and wonderful residential neighborhoods.

Nestled along the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Amherst County offers unique B & Bs, wineries, golf courses, County lakes and parks, campgrounds, 50 miles of the Appalachian Trail, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the George Washington National Forest, Mt. Pleasant National Scenic Area, the historic James River and the James River Heritage Trail, ATV trails, Blue Ridge Rail Trail, and High Peak Hang Gliding. Perfect for boating, swimming, fishing, hunting, biking, camping, birding, golfing, shopping and antiquing, and just relaxing.

Amherst County is just minutes north of Lynchburg, 1 hour northeast of Roanoke, 45 minutes south of Charlottesville, 30 miles east of Lexington, 3 hours south of Washington, DC, and 2 hours west of Richmond.

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The Amherst County Chamber of Commerce ("Amherst County Chamber") wants to roll out a welcome mat for Amherst County visitors by occupying the rehabilitated Train Depot to operate a visitors center. By late summer or fall, the Train Depot hopefully will be ready to open its doors.

Since 2002, the Amherst County Chamber has championed this project in hopes of driving visitors to Amherst destinations and businesses. In fact, when Virginia Department of Transportation ("VDOT") grant funds were awarded, VDOT described the grant as a "Welcome Center with a Community Room and Chamber of Commerce offices." A visitors center is a vital step in opening up our borders to tourism and serving as the northern gateway to Region 2000.

Operation of the visitors center is a natural fit for the Amherst County Chamber. In addition to providing business advocacy-related services, the Amherst County Chamber actively promotes tourism with community events like its spring and fall Amherst Cruise-In Car Show. In April, the Amherst County Chamber hosted its annual business appreciation dinner, recognizing top businesses in the County. Most recently, on May 19, the Amherst County Chamber hosted the local WSLS news broadcast from Sweet Briar College which included live interviews with Mayor Paul Kilgore and County Board Supervisor Claudia Tucker.

Last winter the Amherst County Chamber hired a new office manager, Vanessa Angus, who has been working with the Virginia Tourism Corporation to create a certified visitors center. With strong marketing and communications experience, Mrs. Angus continues to build an active social media presence for the Amherst County Chamber which highlights the county's wonderful attributes. The Amherst County Chamber's website, www.amherstvachamber.com, draws approximately 4,000 visits each month and its Facebook announcements of Amherst County Happenings reach over 2,500 people each week.

As we approach the finish line, the Amherst County Chamber
needs your help. Please contact your representative on the Board of Supervisors and voice support for the Chamber occupying and operating a visitors center at the Train Depot. Help us generate revenue for businesses and tax dollars for the County. As a citizen, you have the ability to change the path for Amherst County.

Thank you for your support!
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