BedfordEconomicDevelopment.com
Bedford
News from the Bedford County Office of
Economic Development
BUSINESS
FIRST
Summer 2025
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
CONTACT
ADDRESS
122 East Main Street
Bedford, VA 24523
PHONE
(540) 586-7601
OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
WEBSITE
bedfordeconomicdevelopment.com
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook:
Bedford County
Economic Development
LinkedIn:
Bedford County Office of
Economic Development
Moneta Job
Fair Recap!
58 job seekers and
over 30 businesses
in attendance!
PAGE 3
All Things
New London
Project updates and
timelines for
everything happening
at New London!
PAGE 4
SML
Packaging
Solutions
Expands
Packaging company
growing locally.
PAGE 6
ALSO INSIDE:
Prime Real Estate ................................
Business Appreciation Recap .....
Upcoming Events ................................
The very first Moneta Job Fair was held on Thursday, May 29 at Staunton River High School, bringing
together nearly 60 job seekers and over 30 local and regional employers. The event was a collaborative
effort between Bedford County Economic Development, Bedford County Public Schools, and Virginia
Career Works – Central Region.
This job fair provided a valuable opportunity for job seekers to connect directly with hiring managers,
receive resume support in the library, and even participate in on-site interviews held in designated
classrooms. Employers represented a range of industries, from manufacturing and healthcare to skilled
trades and construction, offering opportunities for a variety of experience levels.
Attendees also enjoyed local food trucks including A Heavenly Sandwich and Kona Ice, adding to the
welcoming and community-focused atmosphere.
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many job seekers walking away with interviews, strong
leads, and new career prospects. Organizers are already planning for next year, aiming to build on this
success and continue supporting Bedford County’s growing workforce.
Special thanks to our partners, participating businesses, and job seekers for making this event such a
success!
Moneta Job Fair Connects Community & Opportunity
Want to learn more?
A reporter from The News & Advance visited the Moneta Job Fair and spoke directly with businesses
and attendees about the event’s impact.
8 Click here to read the full article.
NEW LONDON PROJECT UPDATES
Site preparation and land clearing for the expansion into phase 2 of the New London
Business & Technology Center has begun!
In 2024, the Bedford County Office of Economic Development received $1.5 million from
Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Virginia Business Ready Sites Program and a $750 thousand
grant from the Tobacco Commission. The funds are being used to further site development
in the Center.
Land clearing began on June 16 on lots 15 and 16 and the following trails are temporarily
closed during the clearing process:
-Green Loop Trail
-Blue-Orange Connector Trail
-Blue Loop Trail
-Small section of the Orange Loop located behind the power substation. This section will be
rerouted in front of the substation via a newly established path.
The parking area at Trailhead #1 will permanently close due to the expansion. There is a new
parking lot located near the entrance of the Center, immediately past the New London
Emergency Services building.
All closed areas will be clearly marked with signs and roped off for your safety. Visitors are
asked to remain on open trails and respect all posted closures.
Additionally, lots 10A and 12A on West London Park Drive are currently being graded to bring
the two lots to a Tier 5 status which means they are ready for a construction project. Lot 10A
can accommodate a 10 – 12,000 SF building while lot 12 can accommodate up to a 15,000 SF
building.
We are making progress in the development of the Phase 2 portion of the New London Business &
Technology Center which will cause temporary closures to a few of the biking/walking trails.
See above.
Earlier this year, SML Packaging Solutions—
formerly known as SML Packaging—began a
new chapter under the leadership of Thomas
Jalbert, who purchased the company from
founder Mark Wojdyla. Based in Bedford
County, the company specializes in
automation and packaging systems and
currently employs 12 full-time team
members.
SML Packaging Solutions has announced
plans to expand its workforce, with
immediate openings for a machinist and two
mechanics. In support of this growth,
Bedford County’s Economic Development
Authority has approved a financial incentive
to assist with hiring and equipment
investments.
SML Packaging has been a valued part of
Bedford County’s manufacturing
community since 2019, when it relocated its
bottle machine manufacturing operations to
the region.
SML Packaging Solutions Plans for
Growth Under New Ownership
LOCAL BUSINESS BUILDS ON PAST SUCCESS
WITH PLANS TO GROW IN BEDFORD COUNTY
With new leadership and continued investment, SML Packaging Solutions is poised for a
strong future in Bedford County.
New London Business & Technology Center
U.S. Route-460 and Meade Road in Bedford County, Virginia
ZONING:
Planned industrial – allows a variety of
business, research, and manufacturing
users
UTILITIES:
Water and sewer throughout
25-kV, 3 phase electric power installed
Telecom fiber in place at entrance to park
Million gallon water storage tank in service
Robust, dark fiber infrastructure in place –
secure and scalable enough to support a
datacenter
SITE DATA:
500+ acres with buffer
200+ acres designated a VA Technology
Zone
Lots ranging in size from 7.5 to 48+ acres
Lot 2 – 12 +/- acres.
Lot 4 flier – 10 acres cleared and graded on
24+ acre lot
Accommodates a 200,000 sf. building
Lots 10A and 12A cleared and grubbed –
ranging in size from 7.5 acres to 10 acres
Individual parcels have not been recorded
and can be divided as needed
COMMERICAL PROPERTY:
The 19+/- acres commercial shopping
center can be laid out to suit a developer’s
plans
INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY:
One lot (9.87 acres) remains available in the
45 acre business park
UTILITIES:
Served by 6″ water line and 8″ sewer lines
Electricity and fiber available
Propane available.
CHECK OUT PRIME
LOTS IN BEDFORD
Discover Your Next
Business Location!
Click on the image for
more information and to
get in touch with Divaris
Real Estate, Inc!
Bedford Center for Business
State Route 122 between Route 221 and Route 460 in the Town of Bedford, Virginia
ZONING:
Commercial/Light Industrial
UTILITIES:
12” on-site water line
15” on-site sewer line
Three phase 12.47 Kv line electricity
Propane available
Telecommunications and fiber optics
SITE DATA:
64+ acres with lots ranging in size from 3 to
45+ acres
Virginia Enterprise Zone
Montvale Center for Commerce
On 460 in Western Bedford County, midway between Bedford & Roanoke
SITE DATA:
Commercial property has potential retail
development in an area that has been
under-served as the county’s growth has
been developed over the past two decades.
Back in May we had the pleasure of hosting
the Economic Development Authority’s
Annual Business Appreciation Event, and it
was a fantastic evening. Nearly 40 members of
our local business community joined us at
Venue 109, which provided the perfect setting
for connection and celebration.
We truly enjoyed catching up with familiar
faces, welcoming new ones, and hearing about
the exciting projects happening across
Bedford County. It was especially rewarding to
see professionals from different industries
mingle, share ideas, and build new
relationships.
Thank you to everyone who attended and
helped make the evening so special. We’re
grateful for your continued partnership and are
already looking forward to next year’s event!
Business Appreciation Event Recap
Agriculture is the largest industry by land
mass in Bedford County with more than $29
million in annual farm sales alone. The
average farm is 155 acres and nearly 38% of
all land in Bedford County is used for farming.
We are home to the largest compost facility
in Virginia and rank #1 in the state for hay
production with more than 41,000 acres.
Our future is bright with public and private
schools supporting more than 500 FFA
members and 22 Ag-related classes taught
across five schools. Our vibrant past is leading
the next generation!
Ready to start your Ag-focused business?
Call us today! 540-587-5670 or visit
BedfordEconomicDevelopment.com
BUSINESS
ROUNDTABLE
BUSINESS
ROUNDTABLE
Leading With Vision
Whether you’re a long-time executive, middle
management, nonprofit volunteer, or new to your
career journey, this Business Roundtable is an
excellent opportunity to develop your
understanding of “leading with vision” alongside
fellow local professionals and founder of The
Artisan Leader, Amanda Stanley!
June 24
8:30-10:00AM
Bedford Area Welcome Center
816 Burks Hill Rd, Bedford, VA
10