Progress 2016, a joint publication of The Charlotte Gazette, The Kenbridge-Victoria Dispatch and The Farmville Herald, will publish in next Wednesday’s Gazette, highlighting the contributions of people, organizations and businesses across the Heart of Virginia.

The full-color publication will be inserted in all three newspapers, reaching more than 20,000 readers. This year’s theme is “25 Reasons We Love the Heart of Virginia.”

“We couldn’t be more pleased with our inaugural Progress edition,” said Publisher Steve Stewart. “Our newspapers are blessed to serve a fine region with outstanding communities and people. Progress will be our annual opportunity to give back and chronicle the many people and institutions who make the Heart of Virginia a terrific place to live and do business.”

The 36-page publication includes stories of history, culture, people and places of Lunenburg, Charlotte, Prince Edward, Cumberland and Buckingham counties.

“We are excited to show our readers this annual magazine which highlights the positive things that our communities are accomplishing every day,” said editor Hannah Davis.

“The Progress is a useful resource for our communities, as it gives a behind-the-scene view of things happening in the Heart of Virginia. From the Drakes Branch Museum to High Bridge and Sarah Terry trails in Farmville, there is something in the Progress for everyone.”

Davis noted that a lot of time and effort went into the Progress, and that all the reporters who worked on the project should be commended for their hard work.

Planning for the publication began last fall. Stewart credited the dozens of area businesses that purchased advertising space for making Progress possible.

“They are the lifeblood not only of our newspaper but of our region’s economy,” he said.