Whether you’re relocating for work, raising a family, starting a business, or seeking a community that values growth and innovation, the Lynchburg Region offers exceptional educational opportunities that make it a truly remarkable place to call home. THE LYNCHBURG REGION: WHERE LEARNING LEADS TO OPPORTUNITY
Chris Owen Senior Vice President Pinnacle Financial Partners
INSIDE LOOK
Like many kids who grew up here, I once vowed I’d leave Lynchburg and never come back. After college, though, I found myself drawn right back home, this time with a deeper appreciation for everything that makes this area so special. I grew up in Forest, attending Bedford County schools. When I started kindergarten, Jefferson Forest was a single campus that held grades K through 12 all in one building. But as our community grew, that quickly became impossible. By the time I reached first grade, a brand-new Forest Elementary was built, and before I finished fifth grade, a new middle school followed. I often tell people that those were my first real lessons in community growth and pride. Each new building stood as proof that people love this place, enough to invest in it and help it grow. Lynchburg has a way of pulling people in. In my profession, I often ask new residents what brought them here, and I hear the same story time and again: people come to Lynchburg intending to stay temporarily, but they end up falling in love with it. Some are captivated by the Blue Ridge Mountains, the James River, or the peaceful charm of Smith Mountain Lake. Others are drawn by the professional opportunities that allow for a great quality of life, without the hustle and congestion of a big city. Whatever the reason, people come here and stay because it feels like home.
For me, returning to Lynchburg was an easy decision once I started a family. The area offers everything that matters most: a low cost of living, great schools, low crime, and a strong sense of pride in our community. Add in our beautiful surroundings, rich history, and the growth and diversity fostered by our local colleges, and you have a truly special place to live and raise a family. What I once saw as a quiet hometown, I now see as a vibrant, growing community filled with opportunity, natural beauty, and heart. Lynchburg is where roots grow deep, and I’m proud to have mine here.
"THE LYNCHBURG REGION IS MORE THAN A PLACE TO LIVE. IT IS A PLACE TO LEARN, GROW, AND THRIVE AT EVERY STAGE OF LIFE."
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