Grow Waynesboro Announces 2016 Business Competition
$20,000 in Grants for Waynesboro Entrepreneurs
WAYNESBORO, VA- The City of Waynesboro Economic Development Department is announcing a new flagship program designed to support small business development, called Grow Waynesboro. Focused this year on finding and funding new and robust local businesses, it will award more than $20,000 to select entrepreneurs in the form of grants and training opportunities.
Grow Waynesboro is launching with a two-part community engagement strategy. In its initial phase, the initiative is focused on engaging students, residents and business leaders in a community-wide conversation on the types of locally owned businesses that have the potential to most impact Waynesboro's long-term economic health. With the help of the Waynesboro High School's Advanced Marketing Class, both economic development staff and local students are interviewing area residents about the entrepreneurship projects they would most like to see launch in Waynesboro. Videos of these conversations will be posted online throughout the coming weeks at GrowWaynesboro.com
"We're excited to have an entrepreneurship program that touches not only the small businesses it seeks to assist, but also the broader community," says Courtney Cranor, Assistant Director of Economic Development for the City of Waynesboro. "By engaging the broader community, we hope to build a stronger culture of entrepreneurship, encouraging not only direct grants and incentives for entrepreneurs, but also broad-based excitement and awareness of new businesses opening in Waynesboro."
Buoyed by the enthusiasm of local residents, Grow Waynesboro will also seek to identify and cultivate entrepreneurs who have or are seeking to open new 2016 locally owned and located small businesses. These entrepreneurs are invited to submit their business concepts on the GrowWaynesboro.com site, where local judges will compare their viability and benefits for the City. Later this spring, on April 21st, approved projects will have the opportunity to present their plans to a live audience, where final grant winners will be announced.
"We look forward to seeing what proposals surface in the coming weeks," says Greg Hitchin, Economic Development Director for the City of Waynesboro. "We know there are many more entrepreneurial projects started every year in Waynesboro than are generally recognized, and we're pleased to work this year to help better identify them, invest in them, and celebrate them with the broader community."
Waynesboro High School is also excited to be a local partner. "We want our students to know that there are opportunities for them in the local economy," says Waynesboro High School marketing teacher Dave Hennel. "Not only are they developing skills in interviewing, video editing, and marketing, but they are also meeting business leaders in the local community and building important relationships between the school and the local economy."
Entrepreneurs interested in the initiative are encouraged to begin applying online now, with a final deadline for all written applications on April 4th. (http://www.growwaynesboro.com/)
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 BizBlitz 2016
March 18-20, Ice House, Downtown Harrisonburg
During this 49-hour high-energy weekend, attendees bring their ideas and join efforts in a fast-paced workshop. We will build prototypes, form teams & start companies. Mentors will provide valuable feedback. Cash prizes will be awarded!
The Shenandoah Valley Innovation Coalition's
weekend starts with open-to-all pitches on Friday evening -- attendees bring their best ideas and inspire others to join their team. Over Saturday and Sunday teams focus on customer development, validating ideas, and building a minimal viable product. This is hands-on. Take advantage of early-bird pricing until March 4 ($75).
Who should attend? People with technical or design backgrounds, or business backgrounds. Developers, marketers, designers, product managers, startup enthusiasts, aspiring entrepreneurs.
Together with MENTORS the weekend is spent in market research, product development, and business plan creation. Sunday evening ends with a final presentation in front of the judges, and everyone wins valuable feedback.
[pre-registration required] [meals included] [early bird pricing until 3.4.16]
[BizBlitz is hosted by the Shenandoah Valley Innovation Coalition, SVIC. SVIC's mission is to accelerate innovation, creativity, and economic development across the Shenandoah Valley through the active collaboration of business, government, community, and academic organizations.
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ICAP (Innovation Commericalization Assistance Program) Meeting
Tues. Feb. 9, 7-8:30pm; Staunton Makerspace
Let's talk about innovation! Innovate LIVE is back, partnering with the Virgina SBDC (Small Business Deveopment Center), the Staunton Creative Community Fund, and the Staunton Makerspace to host a conversation about the ICAP (Innovation Commericalization Assistance Program) through the SBDC.
Are you a maker or an inventor trying to bring life to your idea or product? ICAP (Innovation Commericalization Assistance Program) helps inventors, makers, and innovators brign their new technologies to market. ICAP provides free assessment from subject matter experts, and guidance as you develop and market your innovations. We will be discussing ways to get involved with the ICAP programs and fostering conversations around innovation here in Staunton.
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 SVTC's Bits and Grits
February 16, 8-9am;
Mrs. Rowes, Staunton, VA
Come get together for great breakfast and to talk some tech. Dutch treat. No reservations required.
This is where our technology users and creators get together to connect about various topics (while eating some good food!). This occurs on the 3rd Tuesday of every month. Look for Kurt Plowman.
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Member News: Cadence, Inc. Announces Results for 2015
Cadence, Inc. announced unaudited results for 2015 including a 17% increase in revenue compared to 2014 to $88.4 million. Earnings per share also increased 20% over prior year to $3.66 per share. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) were up 11% to $15.8 million. 2015 results included 12 months from the acquisition of Plainfield Precision Holdings locations in Sturgeon Bay, WI, Plymouth, MA; and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic completed in August 2014 compared to only 5 months in 2014 numbers.
"2015 was another record year for Cadence in revenue and earnings" said Ken Cleveland, CFO. "Revenue in the 4
th quarter was a record $22.9M and profitability was improved leading to good year-over-year financial results."
About Cadence, Inc.
Cadence, Inc. is a leading supplier of advanced products, technologies and services to medical device, life science, automotive, and industrial companies worldwide. Cadence develops solutions-oriented relationships with customers and provides highly technical solutions that enable improved product performance in clearly measurable ways. Cadence employs more than 475 people worldwide with headquarters in Staunton, VA and other locations in Cranston, RI, Pittsburgh, PA, Sturgeon Bay, WI, Plymouth, MA, and the Dominican Republic. More information on Cadence can be found at
www.cadenceinc.com.
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Member News:
Shenandoah Valley Partnership Update | December 2015
Learn about 2015 SVP events, recently launched initiatives and regional announcements and good news.
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| Shenandoah Valley Partnership Update | December 2015 |
The Shenandoah Valley Partnership (SVP) works with public and private partners at the local, regional, and state level to develop an economic climate for business success throughout the Shenandoah Valley. Through regional cooperation the SVP brings together business, government, and education leaders to attract new business to the area, help existing businesses expand, and guide strategic workforce development to grow and sustain a healthy economic future for our region.
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Member News: Kevin Reilly Honored with Excellence in Achievement Award from the
Reilly Named Tax Consultant of the Year
FAIRFAX, VA (2/1/16) - Kevin Reilly, J.D., CPA, CGMA, Partner at PBMares, LLP has been named Tax Consultant of the Year by The BoardRoom Magazine's 2015 Excellence in Achievement Awards. PBMares is a leading accounting and business-consulting firm serving clients nationally and internationally.
The Excellence in Achievement Awards are the only private club industry awards that recognize the clubs' business partners. The BoardRoom - the official publication for the Association of Private Club Directors (APCD) and the Distinguished Clubs of the World - is endorsed by the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA).
In addition to 2015, Reilly was named Tax Consultant of the Year by The BoardRoom's Excellence in Achievement Awards for 2006, 2007 and 2014.
"We are thrilled Kevin was named Tax Consultant of the Year for the fourth time. He is genuinely dedicated to the club industry and is certainly deserving of this award," said Alan Witt, CEO of PBMares, LLP.
Continues Witt, "What makes this award even more prestigious is that The BoardRoom is distributed to clubs, organizations, and businesses throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and Asia. This is truly a global recognition."
Winners are selected by their industry peers based on overall excellence in their respective fields, achievements, innovation, vision for future growth, and continued impact on private club operations. The categories cover everything from club design and construction to club management.
"As private clubs have rebounded in recent years with growing enthusiasm, so have the industry's many business partners. We have seen an increasing amount of innovation and dedication from recipients of BoardRoom Awards, to the benefit of private clubs. Each award winner is clearly a leader in their industry and we congratulate each and every one of them," said John Fornaro, publisher of The BoardRoom.
About PBMares, LLP
PBMares, LLP is an accounting and business consulting firm serving U.S. and international clients, with offices in the Mid-Atlantic. The firm unlocks opportunity for clients using the right balance of industry, specialty and general business services in the areas of audit and accounting, tax planning and preparation, pension plan design/administration, and owner-managed/corporate financial consulting.
In addition, the firm provides additional services through its affiliates: Artifice Forensic Financial Services, LLC, a financial consulting division specializing in fraud investigations and forensic accounting; PBMares Wealth Management, LLC, a registered investment advisor; and TMDG, LLC, a national healthcare consulting firm specializing in medical claims audits.
About The BoardRoom Excellence in Achievements Award
The BoardRoom is endorsed by the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) and is the official publication for the Association of Private Club Directors and the Distinguished Clubs of the World. The Excellence in Achievement awards are the only private club industry awards that recognize the clubs' business partners.
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Upcoming SBIR/STTR Training in Virginia
"NSF Forms, Budget & Electronic Submission"
Feb. 11, 2016, 11AM-12:30PM
Pre-Recorded SBIR/STTR Training Sessions
Most of these sessions are FREE for Virginia based companies and Virginia based university researchers.
Questions about any of these events:
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Highlighting Renewing Level I Member
Augusta County
Augusta County strives to provide a diverse and vibrant economy that offers a broad range of job opportunities in manufacturing, services, tourism and agriculture while supporting the delivery of high quality government services to its citizens. We endeavor to maximize economic opportunities for the area in a cost-effective manner and to provide the necessary resources to support the growth of existing and prospective businesses. Another goal is to create an environment that encourages, values and supports entrepreneurship. We strive to provide a level of awareness amongst students and young adults of the availability of local career and economic opportunities.
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Highlighting Renewing Level I Member
JMU Information Technology
Information Technology at James Madison University is an essential element of academic life, enabling study, research and personal communication. As a means to excellence in achieving its education, research and service missions, the University provides and supports computing and electronic communication services for all its students, faculty and staff. The department is headed by AVP Dale Hulvey.
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Benefits & Prices >> How have you benefited from participating in our activities and/ or from membership? Tell us! Info@svtc-va.org |
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Contact Us
Shenandoah Valley Technology Council
800 S. Main Street MSC 4901
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
540-568-7882
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