Kayla Waller

The Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce that it will be purchasing the land that its downtown Bedford office is built upon from the Town of Bedford. In order to fund this purchase, the Chamber is launching a commemorative brick fundraising campaign, with plans to install the engraved bricks around its office’s sidewalks. The Bedford Area Chamber’s goal is to raise $10,000 during phase one of this campaign.  

 

Located in historic downtown Bedford and within walking distance of museums, restaurants, shopping, and other Centertown establishments, the Chamber office has been a permanent fixture in the Bedford community for almost 50 years. However, the Bedford Chamber’s history of influencing economic and community prosperity in the Bedford area stretches far before the construction of its main office. 

 

In 1925, the Bedford Board of Trade voted to change its name to the Bedford Chamber of Commerce and received its incorporation on October 7, 1939, with the latter date being celebrated as the Bedford Chamber’s official anniversary. However, the ground at the Chamber’s permanent office was not broken till August 28, 1973; before then, the Chamber met at various locations around Bedford, including the basements of its various member businesses. At the 1978 Annual Dinner, Otis Lindamood, J.J. Morgan, Jr., and Onyx Bolling burnt the note to pay off the final building loan of the Chamber’s beloved office at 305 E. Main Street. 

 

Community members and area businesses are encouraged to become a permanent part of Bedford’s history by supporting the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce’s efforts to purchase its office’s land. This is an opportunity to leave a permanent mark on our community or to recognize someone with a donation that will last a lifetime. Please consider purchasing an engraved brick for yourself, your family, the memory of a loved one, a community volunteer, or a business. Order forms can be found at the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce office at 305 E. Main Street or on our website, bedfordareachamber.com. Phase one of this campaign is scheduled to wrap up in mid-April.

 

To purchase your commemorative brick, checks can be dropped off or mailed to 305 E. Main St. Please make all checks out to "Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation." In the memo line, please write, "Contribution to land purchase." Paper registration forms can be found in our office. You can also request a pdf of the registration form by emailing marketing@baccva.org.

A donation of at least $500 will get you/your business: 
- A commemorative brick outside of the BACC building
- Recognition on social media
- Recognition on Chamber n-newsletter
- Recognition in Bedford Bulletin, News & Advance and Smith Mountain Eagle
- Recognition during new sidewalk ribbon cutting ceremony & open house