Business & Industry in
Bedford County
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Well over a year into what has been called the Great Recession, Bedford County businesses are holding their own. That is not to say that we have escaped the impact. Unemployment in October 2009 hit 12.1%, and total employment dropped to 21,700, which is a 2000 job loss from June of 2008.
The largest blows to the economy are the ones that are permanent. When Cannondale, a longtime Bedford County employer, was purchased by Dorel Industries (a Canadian firm), hopes were that operations would continue here, but in April 2009, the firm announced that it would be cutting 200 jobs and moving much of its production to Taiwan.
JLG, which had cut its workforce dramatically at all of its facilities in Bedford, McConnellsburg, and Shippensburg, has recalled many of its workers as a result of a $1.05 billion government contract its parent company, Oshkosh Corp., announced in early July 2009. This is good news, not only for the recalled workers, but for many of the firm's suppliers who have operations in this area.
While the national economy is facing strong headwinds for the foreseeable future, Bedford County's economy is well positioned for the remainder of the economic downturn. Our employment base is well diversified, with no one employer or sector holding the lion's share of the jobs. Labor prices here are much more affordable than in other areas of the nation, and our workforce is second to none. All of these factors make us optimistic about our ability to attract and retain good jobs in the area.
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| Non-Employer Statistics |
| Type of Service |
Establishments |
Receipts($1,000) |
| Total For All Sectors |
3,483 |
150,368 |
| Agricultural, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting |
156 |
9,548 |
| Mining, Quarrying and Oil & Gas Extraction |
D |
D |
| Utilities |
D |
D |
| Construction |
611 |
28,893 |
| Manufacturing |
75 |
4,155 |
| Wholesale Trade |
56 |
3,695 |
| Retail Trade |
507 |
23,518
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| Transportation & Warehousing |
404 |
36,051 |
| Information |
24 |
583 |
| Finance & Insurance |
60 |
1,820 |
| Real Estate, Rental & Leasing |
185 |
9,492 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services |
267 |
6,067 |
| Administrative, Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services |
220 |
2,914 |
| Educational Services |
49 |
474 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance |
148 |
4,480 |
| Arts, Entertainment & Recreation |
92 |
2,674 |
| Accomodation & Food Services |
49 |
1,507 |
| Other Services (Except Public Administration) |
573 |
14,473 |
Includes only firms subject to federal income tax.
Nonemployers are businesses with no paid employees.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2006-2007 - Geographic Area: Bedford County
D = Withheld to avoid disclosure |
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| Manufacturing |
| Type of Service |
Paid Employees |
Annual Payroll($1,000) |
Establishments |
| Manufacturing |
2,402 |
76,860 |
67 |
| Wood Product Manufacturing |
322 |
6,880 |
16 |
| Sawmills |
281 |
5,977 |
12 |
| Other Wood Product Manufacturing |
41 |
903 |
4 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing |
382 |
11,672 |
14 |
| Machine Shops; Turned Products; Screw, Nut and Bolt Manufacturing |
17 |
373 |
3 |
Table only includes establishments with payroll.
Source: 2007 U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns - Geographic Area: Bedford County
D = Withheld to avoid disclosure |
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The Chamber works in partnership with the
Bedford County Development Corporation (BCDA)
to promote the region for new and expanding opportunities for industry.
To visit the BCDA website,
click here.
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