Although the state's marketing and processing center for fruit products is located in Winchester, this thoroughly modern city is also abuzz with new industry and growth. Plentiful resources, ample building sites and a highly skilled workforce continue to draw new businesses to the area.

Schools in Winchester are excellent. More than three-quarters of high school graduates in the Winchester Public Schools District -- which serves roughly 3,500 students in grades K-12 -- go on to higher education or post-secondary training. SAT scores consistently exceed state and national averages. The County Schools of Winchester also exceed state and national averages and have many new state-of-the-art schools. Shenandoah University and Lord Fairfax Community College are local institutions of higher learning.

Winchester also offers a host of cultural and recreational opportunities. Shenandoah University features an excellent conservatory, which sponsors numerous musical performances. The Kurtz Building hosts children's activities and art exhibits. The Winchester Little Theatre produces several plays annually and the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum is a hands-on learning experience for young and old alike.