Lynchburg, VA – The Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance announces that Center for Entrepreneurship received a Truist Foundation grant to support programs that create and sustain small businesses in the Lynchburg region. The Center for Entrepreneurship centralizes regional entrepreneurial support under one roof at the Alliance’s facility, located at 300 Lucado Place in Downtown Lynchburg. 

“This is a great opportunity to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in our region by bringing expertise and access to one centralized resource,” says Stephanie Keener, Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship. 

Entrepreneurs at the Center benefit from a direct connection between the Small Business Development Center – Lynchburg Region, which provides free and confidential advising, and the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance, the region's chamber of commerce and economic development organization. 

“Entrepreneurship is a powerful driver of opportunity and long-term community growth,” said Thomas 

Ransom, Virginia Regional President for Truist. “By supporting the Lynchburg Region Center of 

Entrepreneurship, we’re helping equip local founders with the resources, connections and guidance they need to turn ideas into sustainable businesses. This investment reflects Truist’s purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities, strengthening the local economy while creating pathways for individuals and families to thrive.” 

The need for expanded support for entrepreneurial growth in the Lynchburg region is a recognized priority in multiple economic development plans. The Center for Entrepreneurship addresses these needs in one convenient location. Approximately 3,000 square feet of space within the Alliance’s facility is dedicated to entrepreneurs, providing the physical infrastructure necessary to build community. This section was completed in August of 2025 and has already seen use by our entrepreneurial community. Over the past year, the Center (C.ENTR) has hosted hundreds of entrepreneurs and serves as the hub for training initiatives like CO.STARTERS, an intensive ten-week program, and Launch LYH, held in conjunction with the DowntownLynchburg Association.

New additions to the project support the development of a professional services network, making a dedicated portfolio of resources available to regional business owners. A new mentorship program is currently taking shape, and the Alliance is actively recruiting qualified community leaders to serve as mentors. 

The Center for Entrepreneurship also assists entrepreneurs in gaining access to the capital required to scale their ideas into financially stable businesses. Increased access to capital remains a top priority for the region. The Alliance continues to address this gap through the 140 Fund, established in February 2023. Managed by the Alliance’s foundation, this revolving loan fund provides low-interest loans to applicants starting a business or developing a growth strategy. 

For more information on the Center for Entrepreneurship or the Small Business Development Center – Lynchburg Region, please contact: 

Stephanie Keener

Vice President of Small Business & Executive Director, C. ENTR & SBDC skeener@lynchburgregion.org www.centerlynchburg.org

The SBDC is a program of the U.S. Small Business Administration, George Mason University and hosted locally at the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance. 

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Since 1883, the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance, formerly the Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, has worked to promote regional economic growth and to enhance the quality of life for all citizens of the Lynchburg region. The Alliance has been accredited since 1973 and recognized nationally with a select number of Chambers for our 20+ Year U.S. Chamber of Commerce Accreditation and Five-Star Rating since 2006. The Alliance represents Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, and Campbell Counties; the Towns of Altavista, Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Brookneal; and the City of Lynchburg. If you would like more information, please contact Hayden Regitz at (434) 845-5966 or email at hregitz@lynchburgregion.org. 

About Truist Foundation 

Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation's (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. The Foundation, an endowed private foundation established in 2020 whose operating budget is independent of Truist Financial Corporation, makes strategic investments in a wide variety of nonprofit organizations centered around two focus areas: building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses to ensure all communities have an opportunity to thrive. Embodying these focus areas are the Foundation’s leading initiatives – the Inspire Awards and Where It Starts. Learn more at Truistfoundation.org.