Lynchburg, Virginia is a city which remembers its past while focusing on the future-a vibrant central city fostering a strong sense of community, economic opportunity for all our citizens and responsive, results-oriented local government. Lynchburg is located near the geographic center of the state, bordered by the eastern edge of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. It is located approximatley 180 miles southwest of the nation's capital, Washington, D.C. An active community boasting friendly residential neighborhoods, Lynchburg has a tradition of outstanding public education. Lynchburg operates on of the top school systems in the state and is recognized for its unique Partners in Education program that partners the business and government sector with the schools. The city is also home to five public/private colleges and universities. A city with outstanding cultural, educational, and recreation opportunities, Lynchburg operates 12 parks, 24 playgrounds, eight community centers, an Olympic-size pool, 34 tennis courts, and 26 baseball diamonds. Other opportunities include hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains or on the Appalachian Trail; swimming and boating on Smith Mountain Lake, on eof the country's largest man-made bodies of water; skiing at nearby Wintergreen Resort; or taking in a minor-league baseball game at the city managed stadium. Lynchburg is a centrally located community that can be easily accessed, given the area is within 500 miles of almost every major city and port along the East Coast. U.S Airways and other airlines operate from Lynchburg Regional Airport. Amtrak service is convenient from Lynchburg with access to major East Coast cities. Lynchburg is only two hours from Richmond and three hours from Washington, D.C. Compared to the rest of the country, Lynchburg’s cost of living is 21.8 percent lower than the U.S. Average. The unemployment rate generally tracks more than a percentage point below the national average, and the Lynchburg region had the highest job growth rate in the state during 2008, with a net of about 900 jobs. Prime industries within the area include nuclear technology, pharmaceuticals and advanced manufacturing. For additional on-line information and links to other sites about the Lynchburg region, please visit http://www.discoverlynchburg.org/ ,www.lynchburgonline.com, www.region2000.org and www.lynchburgchamber.org .