Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce

09/15/2026

🎉 You’re Invited! 🎉

Join us TODAY at 11:00 AM as we celebrate the Ribbon Cutting for Blue Ridge Recovery! ✂️🎀

We’re excited to welcome Blue Ridge Recovery to our community and invite you to stop by, show your support, and learn more about the services they provide.

📍 400 Blue Ridge Street, Martinsville, VA 24112
⏰ Ribbon Cutting: 11:00 AM
🏠 Open House: 11:00 AM–2:00 PM

Come celebrate this exciting addition to our community! We hope to see you there! 💙

09/12/2026

The BlackBox Theatre will be buzzing with activity this weekend as we hold auditions for Steel Magnolias and present a hilarious night of live improv comedy, directed by Brian Dunn.

📍: 44 Franklin Street, Martinsville

🎭 Audition Details: No experience is necessary, and there is no monologue to prepare. Auditioners will read scenes from the script.

🎤 Improv Details: Theatre [in the] Works Improv Comedy brings quick thinking, unexpected twists, and plenty of laughs to the stage. Watch as our talented improvisers create hilarious scenes, characters, and stories—all inspired by audience suggestions and made up on the spot. Every show is a one-of-a-kind experience, so grab your friends and get ready for an evening of spontaneous comedy and unforgettable moments.

09/11/2026

It’s time to reveal our next honoree celebrating 100+ years of excellence: Ho**er Furniture.

In 1924, four-year-old Clyde Ho**er Jr. pulled the cord on a steam whistle, marking the very first workday at Ho**er Furniture. That moment sparked nearly four decades of his leadership, driven by a love for timeless design and enduring craftsmanship. Over the years, Clyde laid the groundwork for what would grow into one of America’s premier makers and importers of fine furnishings.

In 2000, the founder’s grandson, Paul B. Toms Jr., took the helm, making Ho**er a third-generation company. Today, Ho**er remains one of the rare furniture brands still guided by its founding family, with the same passion that started it all.

Join us to celebrate this business and discover more about the future of manufacturing in Southern Virginia. Register for the FREE event at https://bit.ly/4bOjcLW.

09/11/2026

✨ Who will we be celebrating this year? ✨

Join us Thursday, September 17th, 2026, for the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber’s Annual Meeting & Leadership Recognition Banquet!

🥂 Cocktail Reception begins at 5:15 PM
🍽️ Dinner & Program to follow
📍 West Piedmont Higher Education Center

This is one of our favorite nights of the year—a night to celebrate our business community, reflect on the year behind us, and, most importantly, recognize individuals who have made a lasting impact on Martinsville-Henry County.

And we have some very special honors to present… 🏆

🌟 Fred Herring Award
Presented by the Chamber’s Partnership for Economic Growth, this award recognizes an individual who demonstrates exceptional leadership, resolve, allegiance, dedication, vision, and a strong spirit for economic development in Martinsville-Henry County.

🌟 Chairman’s Award
Presented by the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber, this award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment to the Chamber’s Education Foundation, along with dedication to the overall mission of the Chamber.

🌟 Heck Ford Award
Often considered the “Mr./Miss Chamber of Commerce” award, this honor recognizes an individual whose leadership, commitment, and dedication to Martinsville-Henry County embody the spirit of what it means to be a true Chamber champion.

🌟 Lifetime Achievement Award
Established in 2023, this special honor recognizes an individual whose lifetime of service, commitment, and dedication to the Chamber and our business community has made a tremendous and lasting impact. And this one isn’t presented every year… 👀

So… who do YOU think this year’s honorees will be? 👀

And while we’re keeping this year’s recipients under wraps for now, we want to hear from YOU:

Who do you believe deserves to be recognized NEXT year?
Who is making a difference in our community?
Who consistently shows up, leads, serves, supports local businesses, or quietly makes Martinsville-Henry County a better place?

Drop your suggestions in the comments! 👇 We may just be taking notes for next year. 😉

🎟️ TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO REGISTER!

We’re less than ONE WEEK away from this special evening, and we don’t want you to miss it! If you haven’t reserved your seat yet, don’t wait—register TODAY and come celebrate the people, businesses, and leaders who help make our community what it is.

👉 Register here: https://pci.jotform.com/form/262104309064044

We can’t wait to see you there! ✨

09/10/2026

📣 TONIGHT: CANDIDATE FORUM

Join the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce tonight for our Candidate Forum at West Piedmont Higher Education Center!

We’ll kick things off with the two candidates running for the Henry County Public Schools Member At-Large seat, followed by the five candidates running for the two seats on Martinsville City Council.

Come hear directly from the candidates, learn more about their perspectives on issues impacting our community, and take part in an opportunity to become an informed voter.

📍 West Piedmont Higher Education Center
191 Fayette Street, Martinsville
🕠 5:30 PM

We encourage everyone in our community to get informed, get engaged, and make your voice heard at the polls.

🗳️ Election Day is Tuesday, November 3!

09/03/2026

Tomorrow is the big day! The 2026 Blue Ridge Virtual Duck Race will take place tomorrow at 4:00 pm. If you haven't adopted your ducks yet, now is the time! Visit duckrace.com/blueridge to get yours today and enter your chance to win $1,000.

09/03/2026

🇺🇸 Holiday Office Closure 🇺🇸

In observance of Labor Day, the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce will close at 12Noon on Friday, September 4, 2026, and will reopen on Tuesday, September 8, during regular business hours.

We wish everyone a safe, happy, and memorable Labor Day weekend! We hope you enjoy time with family and friends while reflecting on the hard work of all throughout our community!

As you kick off your holiday festivities, don't forget to stop by the Martinsville Uptown Farmers' Market on Saturday from 8:00 AM–12:00 PM to shop for fresh local produce, baked goods, handmade crafts, and more. It's a great way to support our local vendors and celebrate our community!

Happy Labor Day! ❤️🤍💙

09/03/2026

Martinsville and Henry County Candidate Forum

Join us on Thursday, September 10th, beginning at 5:30 PM at the West Piedmont Higher Education Center for the Martinsville-Henry County Candidate Forum.

This forum provides an opportunity for community members to hear directly from candidates seeking local elected office, learn more about their priorities and perspectives, and become more informed as Election Day approaches.

The evening will feature candidates running for two important local offices:

Henry County Public Schools – Member at Large School Board

We will kick off the evening by hearing from the candidates seeking the Member at Large seat on the Henry County Public Schools School Board. This will give voters an opportunity to learn more about the candidates and their vision for the future of education in our community.

Martinsville City Council

Following the school board forum, we will hear from the five candidates running for the two open seats on Martinsville City Council. Candidates will have the opportunity to share their priorities and perspectives on issues impacting the City of Martinsville and its residents.

We encourage community members from across Martinsville and Henry County to attend, hear from the candidates, and take an active role in the local election process.

📅 Thursday, September 10, 2026
🕠 5:30 PM
📍 West Piedmont Higher Education Center

Have a question you’d like the candidates to answer?

We want this forum to reflect the questions and concerns that matter most to our community. Community members are invited to submit questions they would like the candidates to be asked during the forum.

Submit your question here: https://forms.gle/vUckfpE8dAUp1gmJ9

Questions will be reviewed and selected for the forum.

We look forward to seeing you there!

09/03/2026

Who is shaping the future of manufacturing in Southern Virginia?

We’re excited to introduce the industry leaders joining us for a conversation about the opportunities, challenges, and future of manufacturing in our region.

🎤 Jeff Smith, Secretary of Education, Virginia Office of Education

🎤 Michael Scales, Business Analyst, Longwood Small Business Development Center

🎤 Ben Lawhorn, President, Global Metal Finishings

🎤 Kelsey Coleman, Associate Professor of Practice, Virginia Tech Grado School of Industrial Engineering

From workforce development and technology to innovation and industry trends, our panelists
will bring their experience and perspectives to the conversation.

Want to hear what they have to say?
Join us on October 9, 2026, from 10 PM – 2 PM at the West Piedmont Higher Education
Center for The State of Manufacturing: A Southern Virginia Perspective.

🎟️ Free event | Lunch provided | Register at https://bit.ly/4bOjcLW (https://phishcheck.genedge.org/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F4bOjcLW&id=2500&rcpt=tredd%40genedge.org&tss=1788300573&msgid=ce3c7c44-a651-11f1-b2b4-dbaf20457501&html=1&h=f5e7d6f7).

Celebrating Southern Virginia's manufacturing past, present, and future with industry leaders, innovators, and educators.

09/01/2026

On behalf of the Board of Directors for both the Martinsville–Henry County Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber’s Partnership for Economic Growth (C-PEG), we extend our deepest condolences to Sheriff Draper’s family, friends, colleagues, and all those who had the privilege of working alongside him and calling him a friend.

For more than a decade, Sheriff Draper served as a valued member of the C-PEG Board of Directors, generously giving his time, leadership, and insight to efforts focused on the continued growth and prosperity of our community. He was also a steadfast supporter of the Martinsville–Henry County Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber’s Education Foundation.

While we mourn his passing, we are incredibly grateful for the many years of service, leadership, and friendship he shared with our community. His impact reaches far beyond the positions he held, and the legacy he leaves behind will continue to be felt throughout Martinsville and Henry County.

The many years of dedicated service and unwavering commitment to our community will be missed deeply and forever remembered by Sheriff Draper’s Chamber and C-PEG friends!

The Martinsville–Henry County Chamber of Commerce office will close on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 at noon, as our staff takes time to pay our respects and honor the life and service of Sheriff Draper.