The Importance of Rural Businesses
The Economic Significance of Agriculture
The Economic Significance of Forestry
Travel and Tourism Benefit Local Economies
Historic Resources Benefit Local Economies

The Importance of Rural Businesses

Rural businesses are essential to all three of the leading economic generators in Virginia: agriculture, forestry, and tourism. These industries should be of particular interest to Piedmont communities both because they are the pillars of Virginia's economy and because they have the potential to promote rather than degrade qualities that people value about their communities, such as scenic beauty, natural resources, and historic significance. Many rural businesses-such as B&B's, pick-your-own farms, wineries, and equestrian facilities-also add to opportunities for people to enjoy the outdoors.

The Economic Significance of Agriculture

The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation (VFBF) has found that agriculture generates approximately $36 billion per year in Virginia, making it the state's largest industry. Farms and related businesses constitute a major portion of many local economies. The USDA Census of Agriculture reports that in rural areas of Virginia, more than one in every five people is employed by a farm-related business. VFBF has found that Virginia's agricultural and accompanying agribusiness sectors account for more than 11% of the state domestic product and 12% of all sales in the state.

The Economic Significance of Forestry

Although much forest land has been lost or fragmented in the last 30 years, nearly two thirds of the state is still covered in forests and forest-related products are Virginia's #1 manufacturing industry.

Travel and Tourism Benefit Local Economies

Tourism is one of the state's fastest growing industries, with domestic travelers spending $15 billion in Virginia in 2004. Between 1990 and 2000, traveler spending rose dramatically in the nine-county PEC region, increasing by an average of 283%. The region's beautiful landscape is essential to its tourism industry, enhancing the appeal of historic sites and cultural events, vibrant cities and idyllic villages, scenic rivers and mountain getaways.

Historic Resources Benefit Local Economies

Preserving historic resources results in significant economic benefits for local communities as historic sites draw tourists, historic restoration projects create jobs, and traditional downtowns become thriving business districts. For instance: The Preservation Alliance of Virginia has found that a quarter of all Virginia visitors stop at Civil War sites; The Civil War Preservation Trust has found that Civil War tourists stay 1-2 days longer than other kinds of tourists. The Virginia Department of Historic Resources has found that over 15 years, the rehabilitation of historic properties created over 12,000 jobs, which increased household incomes by $275 million. The Virginia Main Street Program reports that, since 1985 the program has led to almost 10,000 new jobs, with 3,500 businesses created, retained or expanded.