Amherst New Era-Progress named Business of the Year

Amherst-Nelson Publishing Co., which publishes the Amherst New Era-Progress and the Nelson County Times, and its parent company, Media General, have been named the 2009 Business of the Year by the Amherst County Chamber of Commerce and the Amherst County Economic Development Department.

In characterizing the company’s community role at a banquet Thursday night at Winton Country Club, Amherst Chamber President Amy Allen said that local newspapers are vital because they cover the public’s business with stories about the planning commission, the county Board of Supervisors and the local Amherst town government. They also tell the stories of local people and their lives, she said.

Allen also noted that earlier this year, the two papers had won a combined 21 awards for excellence from the Virginia Press Association. In that contest, the Nelson County Times was named the best non-daily paper in the state with a circulation of 6,000 or less.

The selection committee members thanked Media General for investing in and maintaining the New Era-Progress, given an historically difficult economic environment for newspapers, and also cited the importance of a local newspaper, Allen said.

Other recipients were What a Blessing Bakery in the Ambriar Plaza Shopping Center, and Laurel Stone Veterinary Hospital on East Lexington Turnpike, Amherst.