Rockbridge County Office of Economic Development

06/05/2026

🌲 One week to go! 🌲

Rockbridge Outdoors Fest is almost here. Join us at Glen Maury Park on June 13 for a full day of outdoor recreation, live music, local vendors, demonstrations, food, and family fun.

Check out the event map, schedule, and vendor lineup in the post below, and start planning your day!

06/05/2026

💼 Looking for your next career opportunity?

Mark your calendar for the Summer 2026 Regional Hiring Event, bringing together employers from across the region with openings in manufacturing, healthcare, public safety, skilled trades, behavioral health, and more.

📅 June 23, 2026
🕐 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Virginia Horse Center – The Mezzanine
487 Maury River Road, Lexington, VA

Whether you're exploring a new career path, entering the workforce, or looking for your next opportunity, this is a great chance to connect directly with employers who are actively hiring.

Thank you to the Lexington, Buena Vista & Rockbridge Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Career Works, and all of the participating employers for helping connect job seekers with opportunities right here in our region.

06/04/2026

Annual Championship Event at the Virginia Horse Center!

Representatives from Rockbridge County and the City of Lexington were on hand to welcome competitors, families, friends, and spectators to this milestone event celebrating a decade of youth equestrian excellence.

Participating in the opening ceremonies were David McDaniel, Chair of the Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors; Lexington Mayor Frank Friedman; County Administrator Spencer Suter; Director of Economic Development Brandy Flint; Steve Shanks, CEO of the Virginia Horse Center; and leadership from YEDA.

We are excited to welcome riders and visitors from across the country to our community and look forward to an incredible championship event!

06/04/2026

📢 Attention tourism and hospitality businesses!

Looking for new ways to attract visitors, extend stays, and create memorable experiences? Join Rockbridge Regional Tourism for a free workshop focused on developing lodging and activity packages that can help your business stand out and generate media interest.

📍 Hampton Inn Col Alto
📅 Tuesday, June 16, 2026
⏰ 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Whether you're a lodging provider, attraction, restaurant, retailer, outdoor recreation business, entertainment venue, or event organizer, this workshop will offer practical ideas for building partnerships, packaging experiences, and capitalizing on emerging travel trends.

Participants will gain valuable networking opportunities and leave with actionable strategies to help promote their businesses and strengthen Rockbridge's visitor economy.

This workshop is free - Register at the link below by June 10th!
https://form.jotform.com/261106564104952

06/03/2026

Congratulations to our partners in Buena Vista on the opening of their new Visitor Center! 🎉

We're excited to see this new resource come online to help welcome visitors and showcase all that Buena Vista and the greater Rockbridge region have to offer. Be sure to stop by and check it out!

📣 BIG NEWS!

Our new Buena Vista Visitor Center opens Wednesday, June 3! We can't wait to welcome everyone into this amazing new space.

📍Virginia Innovation Accelerator
245 W 21st Street, Buena Vista, VA 24416

🕙 HOURS: Wednesday – Sunday | 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Closed Monday & Tuesday

🤙 (540) 572-4542 x2

City of Buena Vista, Virginia - Government | City of Buena Vista, VA - Economic Development |

06/02/2026

Calling All Local Businesses, Organizations, and Community Partners!

Be part of one of the Commonwealth’s premier gatherings focused on advancing rural communities by sponsoring the Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity!

This event brings together rural leaders, elected officials, business owners, community advocates, economic developers, and decision-makers from across the Commonwealth to discuss solutions, build partnerships, and shape the future of rural Virginia. This year’s summit will be held at the Virginia Horse Center right here in Rockbridge County, October 14-15th.

As a sponsor, your organization can gain valuable visibility and engagement opportunities through benefits such as:
✅ Brand recognition before and during the event
✅ Networking opportunities with influential rural stakeholders
✅ Event registrations and access to key conversations
✅ Exhibit opportunities to showcase your organization
✅ Recognition through signage, program materials, and event promotions
✅ Enhanced visibility among leaders driving rural prosperity

This is more than sponsorship — it’s an opportunity to position your organization at the center of conversations shaping the future of rural communities.

Interested in becoming a sponsor or learning more about available opportunities? Reach out to Brandy Flint at [email protected]

05/29/2026

📢 Virginia small businesses — interested in learning more about SWaM Certification?

Join the Shenandoah Valley SBDC for a free workshop designed to help businesses better understand the SWaM certification process and the opportunities it can create.

📅 June 4, 2026
🕐 1:00–3:00 PM
📍 220 University Blvd, 1st Floor Workshop Room, Harrisonburg, VA
💲 Free to attend

This workshop is a great opportunity for small, women-owned, and minority-owned businesses looking to expand their access to state contracting and procurement opportunities.

🔗 Register here: https://clients.virginiasbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=60460023

05/28/2026

🌟 Business Appreciation Month Spotlight 🌟

As Business Appreciation Month comes to a close, please join us in welcoming one of Rockbridge’s newest businesses, Wayfinder Family Medicine!

Founded by Dr. Raeanna Simcoe, a board-certified family medicine physician with over 10 years of clinical experience, Wayfinder is charting a new path for primary care in Lexington.

With a focus on personalized, patient-centered care, the practice emphasizes strong relationships, accessibility, and a deeper understanding of each patient’s needs.

As a new addition to our local healthcare landscape, Wayfinder Family Medicine is helping expand access to quality care while supporting the overall well-being of our community.

We’re excited to see their impact grow and are grateful to welcome them to Rockbridge County.

05/28/2026

📣 Big news for Rockbridge County!

The Governor’s Summit on Rural Prosperity is coming to the on October 14–15, 2026!

We are incredibly excited and proud to welcome one of Virginia’s premier gatherings focused on rural issues, economic development, and community advancement right here to Rockbridge County.

This statewide event brings together leaders from across the Commonwealth, including legislators, state agencies, business leaders, community stakeholders, and rural advocates to discuss the future of Virginia’s rural communities.

Hosting the summit is a tremendous opportunity to showcase not only the Virginia Horse Center, but also the businesses, attractions, dining, hospitality, and natural beauty that make Rockbridge such a special place. Planning is already underway, and we look forward to welcoming attendees from across Virginia to experience all our community has to offer.

Mark your calendars now — additional details and registration information will be shared in the coming months.

05/27/2026

🌟 Business Appreciation Month Spotlight 🌟

Great food, live music, and a place to gather — Quaker Steak & L**e has become a go-to destination for both locals and visitors in northern Rockbridge County.

Located in Raphine just off the interstate, this spot is known for its wings, casual atmosphere, and full lineup of events. With regular live bands and trivia nights, it’s a place where the community comes together week after week.

By creating a space to enjoy great food while showcasing local talent, Quaker Steak & L**e continues to play an important role in Rockbridge’s community life.