Public Policy

The Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce spearheads the business community’s involvement in public policy issues through its Government Affairs Committee.

The committee analyzes policy issues, makes recommendations to the Board of Directors, and drafts letters and other communications to convey the organization's positions. The Chamber voices dissent or support, as appropriate, for key legislation and government action.

State and local issues directly impacting the Lake region’s economic vitality are the focal point of the organization’s government affairs agenda.

Following are examples of how the Government Affairs Committee acts to serve the needs of its members:

• • Provides leadership in the drive to secure AMTRAK service in the Town of Bedford.

• • Supports improvements to the safety and traffic flow on local roads and aging bridges as well as Interstate 81.

• • Along with the Smith Mountain Lake Association, SMLRCC encouraged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to tighten environmental constraints along the Mountain Valley Pipeline route so as to protect ground water flows into the Lake.

• • Annually creates a Public Policy Agenda to communicate the Chamber's public policy objectives to legislators, elected officials, and  policy leaders. The widely-distributed agenda is used to express the collective desires of the business community in Franklin, Pittsylvania and Bedford Counties. Often cited by legislators in discussions with visiting Chamber members.