Long ago, Farmville was known for tobacco and railroads, both of which are gone now, however, the Town is still bustling amid the changes. The once tobacco warehouses are now used as retail spaces in downtown Farmville and the railroad that once ran through here, is now home to High Bridge State Park.

Today, new businesses are springing up throughout the town, capitalizing on the dynamic quality that Farmville possess as a college town and as an economic hub for central Virginia. As central Virginia’s center for economic activity, Farmville’s current service area captures a population of approximately 120,000, more than the total population of most (32 out of 39 or 82%) of the Commonwealth’s cities.

In 1996, Farmville’s retail sales were $332 million. In 2006, retail sales skyrocketed to $528.8 million. This kind of trend continues today and should for some time.