Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce

09/03/2026

Tomorrow is the big day! The 2026 Blue Ridge Virtual Duck Race will take place tomorrow at 4:00 pm. If you haven't adopted your ducks yet, now is the time! Visit duckrace.com/blueridge to get yours today and enter your chance to win $1,000.

09/03/2026

🇺🇸 Holiday Office Closure 🇺🇸

In observance of Labor Day, the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce will close at 12Noon on Friday, September 4, 2026, and will reopen on Tuesday, September 8, during regular business hours.

We wish everyone a safe, happy, and memorable Labor Day weekend! We hope you enjoy time with family and friends while reflecting on the hard work of all throughout our community!

As you kick off your holiday festivities, don't forget to stop by the Martinsville Uptown Farmers' Market on Saturday from 8:00 AM–12:00 PM to shop for fresh local produce, baked goods, handmade crafts, and more. It's a great way to support our local vendors and celebrate our community!

Happy Labor Day! ❤️🤍💙

09/03/2026

Martinsville and Henry County Candidate Forum

Join us on Thursday, September 10th, beginning at 5:30 PM at the West Piedmont Higher Education Center for the Martinsville-Henry County Candidate Forum.

This forum provides an opportunity for community members to hear directly from candidates seeking local elected office, learn more about their priorities and perspectives, and become more informed as Election Day approaches.

The evening will feature candidates running for two important local offices:

Henry County Public Schools – Member at Large School Board

We will kick off the evening by hearing from the candidates seeking the Member at Large seat on the Henry County Public Schools School Board. This will give voters an opportunity to learn more about the candidates and their vision for the future of education in our community.

Martinsville City Council

Following the school board forum, we will hear from the five candidates running for the two open seats on Martinsville City Council. Candidates will have the opportunity to share their priorities and perspectives on issues impacting the City of Martinsville and its residents.

We encourage community members from across Martinsville and Henry County to attend, hear from the candidates, and take an active role in the local election process.

📅 Thursday, September 10, 2026
🕠 5:30 PM
📍 West Piedmont Higher Education Center

Have a question you’d like the candidates to answer?

We want this forum to reflect the questions and concerns that matter most to our community. Community members are invited to submit questions they would like the candidates to be asked during the forum.

Submit your question here: https://forms.gle/vUckfpE8dAUp1gmJ9

Questions will be reviewed and selected for the forum.

We look forward to seeing you there!

09/03/2026

Who is shaping the future of manufacturing in Southern Virginia?

We’re excited to introduce the industry leaders joining us for a conversation about the opportunities, challenges, and future of manufacturing in our region.

🎤 Jeff Smith, Secretary of Education, Virginia Office of Education

🎤 Michael Scales, Business Analyst, Longwood Small Business Development Center

🎤 Ben Lawhorn, President, Global Metal Finishings

🎤 Kelsey Coleman, Associate Professor of Practice, Virginia Tech Grado School of Industrial Engineering

From workforce development and technology to innovation and industry trends, our panelists
will bring their experience and perspectives to the conversation.

Want to hear what they have to say?
Join us on October 9, 2026, from 10 PM – 2 PM at the West Piedmont Higher Education
Center for The State of Manufacturing: A Southern Virginia Perspective.

🎟️ Free event | Lunch provided | Register at https://bit.ly/4bOjcLW (https://phishcheck.genedge.org/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F4bOjcLW&id=2500&rcpt=tredd%40genedge.org&tss=1788300573&msgid=ce3c7c44-a651-11f1-b2b4-dbaf20457501&html=1&h=f5e7d6f7).

Celebrating Southern Virginia's manufacturing past, present, and future with industry leaders, innovators, and educators.

09/01/2026

On behalf of the Board of Directors for both the Martinsville–Henry County Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber’s Partnership for Economic Growth (C-PEG), we extend our deepest condolences to Sheriff Draper’s family, friends, colleagues, and all those who had the privilege of working alongside him and calling him a friend.

For more than a decade, Sheriff Draper served as a valued member of the C-PEG Board of Directors, generously giving his time, leadership, and insight to efforts focused on the continued growth and prosperity of our community. He was also a steadfast supporter of the Martinsville–Henry County Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber’s Education Foundation.

While we mourn his passing, we are incredibly grateful for the many years of service, leadership, and friendship he shared with our community. His impact reaches far beyond the positions he held, and the legacy he leaves behind will continue to be felt throughout Martinsville and Henry County.

The many years of dedicated service and unwavering commitment to our community will be missed deeply and forever remembered by Sheriff Draper’s Chamber and C-PEG friends!

The Martinsville–Henry County Chamber of Commerce office will close on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 at noon, as our staff takes time to pay our respects and honor the life and service of Sheriff Draper.

08/28/2026

🚨 Attention, Contractors! 🚨

Don’t miss this great opportunity to connect, learn, and engage with fellow industry professionals at this upcoming event hosted by the South Central Virginia Home Builders Association!

📅 Tuesday, September 1st
⏰ Registration deadline is TODAY at 4:00 PM!

If you’re a contractor, be sure to get registered before the deadline. Don’t miss out!

👉 See the original post below for event details and registration information.

⏰ LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER!

Our First-Ever SCVHBA Meet & Greet is happening Tuesday, September 1, from 6–8 PM at 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Company!

Join us for an evening of networking, food, refreshments, a complimentary drink ticket, and hear from special guest Craig Toalson, CEO of Home Builders Association of Virginia.

Whether you’re already a member, considering membership, or simply connected to the home building industry, we’d love to have you there.

Registration closes TODAY at 4 PM. Don’t miss your chance to join us!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/first-ever-scvhba-meet-greet-tickets-1995477765714

08/26/2026

It’s almost time! 🎉 Business After Hours is BACK, and we’re excited to spend tomorrow evening with you at Envision Health!

Join us Thursday, August 27th, from 5:30–7:00 PM at Envision Health, located at 135 E. Market Street in Martinsville.

Come unwind after work, connect with fellow Chamber members and local professionals, and enjoy an evening of networking and fellowship while getting to know more about Envision Health and the important work they’re doing in our community.

Whether you’re a longtime Chamber member or looking for a great way to get connected with our local business community, we’d love to see you there!

📍 Envision Health
135 E. Market Street, Martinsville, VA
🗓️ Thursday, August 27
⏰ 5:30–7:00 PM

There’s still time to RSVP! We hope you’ll join us tomorrow! 🤝

https://forms.gle/bMTJKJDvp8aq9DWy5

08/24/2026

What is the State of Manufacturing in Southern Virginia?

Join manufacturers, business leaders, educators, and community partners on October 9 for The State of Manufacturing: A Southern Virginia Perspective, a premier regional event celebrating Southern Virginia’s past, present, and future.

🗓️ Friday, October 9, 2026, from 10am - 2pm
📍 West Piedmont Higher Education Center
🎟️ Free Event | Lunch Provided
✍️ Register at https://bit.ly/4bOjcLW

Hear from industry leaders and experts as we explore the opportunities, challenges, and future of manufacturing in our region, including:
🔹 Workforce & Talent Development
🔹 Technology, Automation & AI
🔹 Economic Growth & Innovation
🔹 Industry Trends & Outlook
🔹 Manufacturing Success Stories

We’ll also honor Southern Virginia manufacturers with 100+ years of excellence. Reserve your seat to join the conversation shaping the future of manufacturing in Southern Virginia.

08/21/2026

Manufacturing is more than what happens on a factory floor.

It’s jobs.

It’s innovation.

It’s skilled workers.

It’s products that reach communities around the world.

And it’s an important part of Southern Virginia’s story.

On October 9, industry leaders, manufacturers, educators, and community partners will come together for The State of Manufacturing: A Southern Virginia Perspective to talk about where manufacturing has been, where it is today, and where it’s headed next.

Now we want to hear from you:

💬 What does manufacturing mean to you?

Maybe it’s the company where you started your career.

A family member who works in the industry.

A product made right here in Southern Virginia.

Or the opportunities manufacturing creates for the next generation.

Share your connection to manufacturing in the comments, and mark your calendar for October 9.

Register at https://bit.ly/4bOjcLW.

08/20/2026

What is the State of Manufacturing in Southern Virginia?

Join manufacturers, business leaders, educators, and community partners on October 9 for The State of Manufacturing: A Southern Virginia Perspective, a premier regional event celebrating Southern Virginia’s past, present, and future.

🗓️ Friday, October 9, 2026, from 10am - 2pm
📍 West Piedmont Higher Education Center
🎟️ Free Event | Lunch Provided
✍️ Register at https://bit.ly/4bOjcLW

Hear from industry leaders and experts as we explore the opportunities, challenges, and future of manufacturing in our region, including:

🔹 Workforce & Talent Development
🔹 Technology, Automation & AI
🔹 Economic Growth & Innovation
🔹 Industry Trends & Outlook
🔹 Manufacturing Success Stories

We’ll also honor Southern Virginia manufacturers with 100+ years of excellence. Reserve your seat to join the conversation shaping the future of manufacturing in Southern Virginia.