BRCC hosts 4th Annual Valley Business Summit

Local businesses gathered at Blue Ridge Community College on Wednesday morning for the 4th annual Valley Business Summit.

The summit kicked off with a keynote address and a forum with state delegates Dickie Bell, Ben Cline, Tony Wilt, and Steve Landes.

It provided an opportunity for business owners, legislators and others in the business and economic development communities to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing businesses in Virginia.

Del. Landes said, "It's important for us to learn how and what we can do to have state government better serve them —especially whether it's to get out of the way in certain cases or, more importantly, to put in place some policies that can help foster economic growth and activity."

Local business and economic development leaders said it was nice to be able to interact with their delegates to address challenges facing businesses in the Valley. "Anytime we're talking with them, they're asking how can they help: how can they help us be better providers to our communities," said Bob Young, the vice president of instruction and student services at Blue Ridge Community College. "It's extremely important, and I believe they really do care about our community very much," Young added.

While this was the 4th annual summit, Del. Landes said that he hopes they can come back next year for the 5th.