Officials with the Lunenburg County Chamber of Commerce advocated for small business at the Virginia General Assembly recently, meeting with legislators and their aides.

Chamber President Mel Payne and Chamber Vice President Mike Hankins attended sessions of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Chamber Day in Richmond as part of their visit.

Payne said the two discussed the impact of hospitals on the economy of Southside Virginia. Hankins said the chamber is supporting 6-7 bills that would help businesses thrive in the state.

“When we went and visited with (Sen.) Frank Ruff, we talked to him specifically about 5-6 bills that the chamber (is) encouraging senators to vote for, and, you know, in general, Frank said he’s supported those bills that would improve business within Virginia,” said Hankins.

“One of the things that (Sen.) Bryce (Reeves) mentioned … is all for the state reducing regulations on business and, in some cases … reducing taxes on businesses to encourage business growth,” Hankins said of the Orange County Republican.

The two also spoke to Sen. Frank Wagner, R-Virginia Beach, who Hankins said is advocating for an interstate highway that would begin in Norfolk, follow along the state border with North Carolina, to Western Virginia.

Wagner is seeking to be the next governor, while Reeves is running for lieutenant governor.

“It would improve business all across Southside Virginia,” Hankins said of the road. “I think that would be a good thing for Southside Virginia … That would encourage larger business that are manufacturing.”