Major Employers

The Lynchburg region’s food and beverage industry is a significant contributor to its economy, with major employers like Frito-Lay leading the way. Frito-Lay operates a 410,000 square-foot production plant in the city of Lynchburg, employing nearly 300 people and churning out approximately 775 million bags of Cheetos, Doritos, Tostitos, and potato chips annually.

Another key player in the region’s food and beverage industry is Abbott Laboratories, renowned for its pediatric and dietary products such as Similac and Pedialyte. With over $40 billion in global sales in 2023, Abbott Laboratories’ impact extends far beyond the Lynchburg region, yet its operations in the area underscore the importance of our region as a hub for high-quality food and healthcare products that rely on access to water.

Nuclear energy and technology companies thrive in the Lynchburg region — even after decades of headquartering here. Framatome’s U.S. headquarters in the city of Lynchburg employs over 1,800 individuals and has been a cornerstone of the regional economy for over 50 years. Demonstrating its ongoing commitment to the area, Framatome announced a $49.4 million facility expansion at the end of 2023, which is expected to create an additional 515 jobs.

Another key player in our region’s nuclear technologies industry is BWX Technologies, a Fortune 1000 company and a recognized innovator in manufacturing and engineering within the defense sector. Headquartered in the city of Lynchburg, BWX Technologies employs more than 2,100 people, contributing significantly to the local economy and the broader field of nuclear technology. The company’s prominence as a Defense News Top 100 entity highlights its vital role in national security and advanced engineering, further establishing the Lynchburg region as a critical center for nuclear technology and innovation.

Contact centers, insurance firms, and other business support firms have grown in Virginia by 28% since 2010 — surpassing even national growth in this major industry. In the Lynchburg region, companies like Genworth and Pacific Life are leading the charge. Genworth, a prominent long-term care insurance company, employs close to 1,000 at its call center in Lynchburg, leveraging the region’s strong financial workforce.

Pacific Life, one of America’s oldest insurers, has also made a substantial impact in. In 2016, the company invested $4 million to establish operations in the city of Lynchburg, bringing more than 300 jobs to the area. A vital community partner, Pacific Life regularly contributes to local nonprofits and supports arts, culture, and other civic initiatives.