EastLake Business Association
By Mary Lou McDonald, Resident Moneta, 24121

          The EastLake Business Association was founded in 1998 to provide a unifying force for businesses in our own communities and throughout Bedford County and to publicize and promote our resources and opportunities.  Working together, we plan to encourage new customers and businesses to the east side of Smith Mountain Lake while preserving the rich heritage and historical value of the individual communities that make up the area.  Advantages to membership include:  annual directory listing, business-to-business member discounts, combined marketing efforts (brochure, billboard, Website, information center), etc.
          The board of directors meets monthly, or as activity demands.  Following are the 2000-2001 board members:  Alice Swain (Virginia Dare), Candy LaPerna (Coveside Cottages), Gene Suggs (Suggs Appraisal), Jean Gorman (JKG Accounting), John White (J.W. Holdings, Inc.), Mary Lou McDonald (Mariners Landing Golf & Lake Community), and Tom Buck (RE/Max Lakefront Realty, Inc.).
          Current activities include: promoting fall/winter/spring vacation packages for year-round tourism;  supporting fundraising efforts for the EastLake YMCA; looking for businesses interested in locating in a new shopping mall on Rt. 626 (across from Mariners Landing), updating the website with new members (www.eastlake-sml.com), and gearing up for the spring membership drive.
         We have over 150 members and are excited about our steady growth.  The EastLake Information Center at 1037 Whitetail Drive offers a convenient location for area visitors to stop by and pick up literature.  If you are already a member or would like to become one, please stop by and make sure we have a good supply of your advertising brochures.
          A meeting for all members will be held on October 24, 2001, 5:30 p.m., on the Virginia Dare.  New members and information-seekers are welcome!  Light refreshments will be provided.  Meeting attendees & their guest may obtain a golf pass to play 18 holes at Mariners Landing for $18 (including cart) on October 30th, contact Mary Lou at the meeting.  Please RSVP to 540-297-7100 & tell them you are reserving space for the ELBA meeting,
          Call 540-297-3200 x.4 for more information.