Bedford County Earns Strong Credit Ratings from National Agencies

(Bedford, VA)—Bedford County has received strong ratings in its first-ever credit reviews from two well-known national agencies: Moody’s Investors Service and S&P Global.

S&P gave the County a AA+ rating, which is just one step below their highest possible rating of AAA—usually only given to high performing larger localities with over 100,000 residents. Moody’s gave the County an Aa2 rating, their third-highest level. Both ratings reflect Bedford County’s strong financial health, community growth, and responsible management.

“We are extremely proud of these inaugural results from Moody’s and S&P,” said County Administrator Robert Hiss. “These strong ratings show that our work to keep taxes low while managing the County’s growth is being recognized. They also highlight the disciplined way our staff, departments, and Supervisors have handled the County’s finances in recent years.”

According to Davenport & Company, the County’s financial advisory firm, the ratings were based on several key factors. These included:

• How the County manages its annual budget
• Responsible planning and funding of long-term projects
• Careful use of debt
• Strength of the local economy
• Stable leadership from County staff and the Board of Supervisors

“Thanks to years of careful planning, we’ve built strong reserves that help protect us in case of unexpected changes in the economy,” said Supervisor Edgar Tuck (District 2), who participated in the rating review meetings in June 2025. “Bedford County continues to grow, thanks to the great quality of life and opportunities we offer here.”

While not the highest possible scores, these ratings place Bedford among the top-rated counties of its size. The ratings could help the county secure lower interest rates for future projects, as Bedford balances continued growth with the increasing demands on public infrastructure.