The Bedford County Office of Economic Development understands the many drivers that support a healthy economy. We are committed to nurturing efforts that result in quality jobs for county residents.
We are here to assist you in starting, locating or expanding your business; please contact us so we can learn about your plans. We’re ready to connect you with local, state and national resources that may offer programs or assistance that meet your business needs.
Meet the team.
Pam Armstrong, Director
In her role, she is responsible for planning, developing, and directing business and economic development programs and services in the County.
Pam joined Bedford County in 2018 after working for more than 20 years in the marketing and communication field for small businesses and larger industries. Her career includes a position at Ericsson, managing tradeshows for several business units, and serving as the Marketing Director at United Way. At Blair Marketing, Pam was the Senior Account Executive for more than a decade, assisting a variety of industries across the country with marketing communication and business development needs.
Pam holds a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design and Marketing from Meredith College, in Raleigh, N.C., and is a 2023 graduate of the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute. She is a member of the International Economic Development Council and serves on the Board of Directors for the Virginia Economic Developer’s Association. She is also an active member of the Bedford Rotary Club where she serves on the Board of Directors as Treasurer.
Lauren Thurston, Business Programs Coordinator
In her role, Lauren is responsible for planning and coordinating Bedford ONE tours and other workforce development initiatives, business retention services and incentive tracking, and marketing data management.
A marketing and communications professional, Lauren has lived in the central Virginia area for over 7 years and is a newer resident of Bedford. Lauren holds a degree in Integrated Communications from Liberty University. She is skilled in design, writing, and building strong relationships.
Trish Luger, Administrative Assistant
Trish directly supports the director and handles day-to-day operations for the team including budget tracking, purchase orders, lease agreements, and incentive payments. She is also the primary point of contact for questions about EDA meetings, minutes, and agendas for the Bedford County Economic Development Authority and Bedford County Agriculture Economic Development Advisory Board.
