Company, championing Culpeper’s telecommunications infrastructure. Miller also co-owned a 400-acre
dairy farm and served on the Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association board. Additionally, Miller dedicated 38 years of service to the Culpeper Town Council, spending 31 of those years as vice mayor.
Downtown “Renaissance” Prior to the 1960s, the Town of Culpeper
encompassed a one-square-mile plot. Residents and businesses wanted to expand town limits exponentially, the Chamber played a crucial role in facilitating this growth. As the town’s footprint expanded and
new industries moved to its outskirts, the downtown suffered. Buildings were leſt vacant, and no binding theme remained to connect businesses downtown. It was almost as if downtown had lost its sense of purpose. Downtown would stay this way through
the 1970s and much of the 1980s until the establishment of Culpeper Renaissance Inc. in 1987.
“Te Chamber, along with the
Renaissance, did a wonderful job of turning the downtown around,” Billy Cannon said. “While it took its time getting there, by the late 90’s the downtown was put back together, piece by piece.”
Changing locations, evolving with Culpeper’s needs
Over the years, the Chamber has steadily
built its presence, profile, and influence within the community. Te first official office started in a
basement on the 100 block of South Main Street in 1914. From there, the Chamber was located in the back corner office in the AP Hill Building on West Davis Street, where they shared a space with the Cavalry Museum. Tey eventually moved into the Depot building, where they operated until they found their permanent residence on the outskirts of downtown. In 2014, while celebrating its 100th year,
the Chamber moved into 629 Sperryville Pike - a significant milestone in its history. “I truly believe this building will
long stand as a testament to Culpeper’s
strong and diverse business community. History will prove this relocation to be a bold and wise investment for the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce,” said Debbie Stohlman, a former Chamber president.
Encouraging education and growth “Te Chamber has been a key factor in
promoting the expansion of schools and the development of new facilities,” longtime local lawyer and state delegate Butch Davies said. “It was community leadership that realized that quality education was a major key in drawing new industries and new businesses into Culpeper.” Culpeper created the first Education
Summit when businesses, in partnership with the Chamber, recognized the need to collaborate with local educators to ensure students had the skills needed to help fill jobs in the community. Te summit marked the beginning of
what would become Career Partners, Inc., a nonprofit organization collaborating with businesses, government, school and community leaders to address concerns for graduates and enhance workforce readiness.
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