You probably don’t know me. I’m not “from Orange” technically, although I did live in Unionville for several years. My kids all graduated from Ms. Young’s Corner Preschool, we sold chicken straight from our farm to Miller’s Market in Locust Grove, and our grocery runs were split between the Orange Food Lion, Walmart in Locust Grove—and, of course, Edward’s Store for just about anything we needed at the last minute.

I can’t say enough good things about the gems in Orange County that my friends and I love to frequent—like karaoke and a Front Porch Sipper at Patch Brewery, a flight and flatbread from Well Hung, or my favorite dish at Forked on Main, one I could order again and again without ever getting tired of it. The truth is, Orange has so much to offer.

But this incredible rural community also faces a challenge. It’s what a lot of us in journalism call a “news desert”—a place without consistent local coverage. Journalism matters. It keeps a historical record of the people, events, and stories that shape our community. It keeps government accountable. It gives small businesses a platform and a voice. Journalism is an essential piece of democracy.

In too many rural areas, the most accessible form of “local news” is being produced by outside companies with little investment in our community. They recycle stories from elsewhere, promote businesses that don’t give back to our economy, and leave real local stories untold.

That’s why The Orange County Voice exists. We know we won’t be perfect, but we are determined to make a start. And to grow, we need your help.

You can be part of this movement: share The Voice with a friend, volunteer as a writer, or ask a business to place an ad. Because the truth is simple—without the support of this community, there won’t be a Voice for very long. With you behind it, though, The Voice can become exactly what Orange County deserves: a strong, independent source of local news.

Jen Bailey

Hi! I’m Jennifer Bailey and I partner with entrepreneurs who have massive ideas that could change the world. Most marketing is meaningless. Filled with empty promises, its only job is to bring in new traffic, new leads, and new customers. But I’ve drawn a line in the sand, and I’ve learned that marketing can do so much more than reach business goals and build profit. My methods give businesses the fire and soul they need to reach the right people, set the groundwork for sustainable relationships, and offer true value to the people on both the giving and receiving ends of marketing.

Read more about me here