June was another busy and productive month for the Patrick County Chamber of Commerce as we continued to support economic development, tourism, community engagement, and regional partnerships throughout Patrick County and the surrounding region.
One of the highlights of the month was the completion and celebration of the Water Tower Mural Project adjacent to the Mayo River Rail Trail. On June 20, community members gathered for a picnic, artist talk, and ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the nearly completed mural. This project has transformed a prominent community landmark into a vibrant public art installation that enhances the trail experience and highlights the growing connection between art, recreation, and tourism in Patrick County. Special thanks go to Bull Mountain Arts for facilitating the project, Faith Mulch for allowing the use of the tower, and the generous donor who helped fund the artist’s commission.
The chamber also remained actively engaged in regional planning and economic development efforts. I attended the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) kickoff meeting hosted by the West Piedmont Planning District Commission in Martinsville. This planning process is an important state requirement and helps guide future economic development priorities and investments across the region. Patrick County was represented at the meeting to ensure our community’s needs and opportunities remain part of the conversation.
Leadership development continued to be a priority as I attended and spoke at the Patrick County Leadership graduation ceremony on June 11 at Reynolds Homestead. Congratulations to this year’s graduates for their commitment to learning more about our community and developing the skills necessary to serve as future leaders. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this group will have throughout Patrick County.
Business support and celebration remained at the forefront of chamber activities. More than 75 people attended the Business After Hours and ribbon-cutting ceremony for Jessup and Associates as the company celebrated thirty years in business and the opening of its new Main Street location. Congratulations to Brian Jessup and his team on this significant milestone. The chamber was also pleased to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Aerial Machine & Tool Corporation’s facility expansion, which will house the company’s Aqua Lung department and represents continued investment in local industry and workforce opportunities.
Throughout the month, the chamber continued collaborating with numerous regional partners. Work continued with the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation on Blue Ridge Rising initiatives, including trail inventory projects and public art planning. Meetings also continued for Downtown Revitalization efforts, Appalachian Gateway Communities Initiative projects, and new opportunities involving Department of Forestry funding, invasive species management, and landscape design partnerships with Virginia Tech.
As we move into July, the chamber is preparing for several exciting initiatives. We have begun accepting advertising reservations for the Fall 2026 edition of the Patrick County magazine. We are also partnering with the Rotary Club of Stuart to host the Connecting Communities event on July 27, bringing residents together to discuss collaboration and community engagement. Additional upcoming programs include the We Impact Virginia regional leadership event in July, an Employee Handbook Lunch & Learn in August, and planning for a regional Nonprofit Summit this November.
Thank you to our members, volunteers, partners, and community supporters who continue to make these efforts possible. Together, we are building a stronger and more connected Patrick County.
Welcome new member: High Hopes Dog Training.
Adcock is the executive director of the Patrick County Chamber of Commerce.
