UPFRONT on our first issue

Well here we are... within a few days of closing out the ad sales of our very first issue of Piedmont Magazine and the support has been tremendous! Over the last few weeks we have had the immense pleasure of meeting some truly wonderful folks in the two-state, four-county area we call Piedmont Country! We thank each chamber president, economic developer, city manager, business owner and civic-minded citizen we've met along the way for your kind support and hospitality. We are excited about our upcoming editorial content on The New Energy in Tourism and the impact that it is having on our local economy. That, along with some great stories on specific local businesses that you might have not even known were around, will make our first issue a must read if you have an interest in the development and vitality of our region.

A special note to our premiere issue Charter Advertisers.... we could NOT have done this without you! You have heard our position and agreed that Piedmont Magazine can and will be a positive voice for positive growth in our region! You share our vision of promoting the good about our area and all that it has to offer. Our exceptional educational systems, our outstanding health-care facilities and the potential that each community holds not only for it's existing residents but future residents also. And for that, we offer a humble – thank-you.

But wait... the best is yet to come! Our first issue will hit the streets at the end of July. We will distribute approximately 10,000 copies though the chambers, select mailings, welcome centers, advertisers and other areas with high-consumer traffic. All in order to get the good word out about our area and what it has to offer.

Finally, if you haven't yet made the commitment to advertise with us, there is still time! Call us at 276-734-2588 before the end of this week and have your product or service in front of 25,000 potential customers, four-times a year!

Again, thanks for your support and welcome to your Piedmont Magazine!

Gary CornsPUBLISHER

UPFRONT with Gary Corns

Twenty years ago, when I first started out as a magazine designer, I began to think that the area where I have grown up and have lived most of my life – the border region of central Virginia and North Carolina – was missing the kind of positive, pro-economic development, business magazine that other communities had. I envisioned a magazine addressing issues in Danville, Eden, Madison, Mayodan, Martinsville, Reidsville, Stoneville and Stuart, the area roughly defined by Routes 29, 220 and 58, communities that share much in common, economically. It would be a magazine that would tell the story of the positive business and economic development activities across our communities. Early this year, the timing seemed right – for the magazine and, I believe, for the area. The magazine would require a new business model, made possible by digital technology – just three or four highly-skilled entrepreneurial people working together remotely across the region – people who had a passion for the area and for their work. This year, the team came together. So, with faith in the original idea, hoping that we are equal to this vision, we are launching, Piedmont Magazine. It is a magazine for business people, policymakers, businesses considering our area and civic-minded citizens everywhere in our region. We want you, our readers, to help it become a tool we can all be proud of—a forum that will help to synthesize some of the positive energy that is lifting our communities toward a dynamic 21st century future we are all building – together!

Gary CornsPUBLISHER