What's up, ya'll? Things may still seem to have slowed down and not yet be back to normal, but, we've been busy bees here at the Chamber and Visitor Center.
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HPG Chamber Receives VTC Wanderlove Grant and Launches New Tourism Website
In response to the pandemic, Virginia Tourism Corporation launched an emergency marketing leverage grant, which the HPG Chamber applied for as the official DMO for Hopewell and Prince George. We were awarded a grant in the amount of $10,000, part of which we used to build a new stand-alone tourism website for Hopewell and Prince George. The rest of the funds will be used to produce a "Visit Hopewell/Prince George" video and promote the new website through digital ads, driving attention to our area as a "staycation", roadtrip destination. Check out the new Visit HPG website below.
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U.S. Army Launches
March2Success Program
Planning for the 2020-21 school year may be stressful. The Army’s free college readiness website, #March2Success can help. Students can prepare for their future, augment their learning and study for entrance exams.
Students can take practice tests for exams like the ACT, SAT, Medical College Admission Test and Dental Admission Test. The website provides an alternative for students unable to seek a tutor or join a study group due to pandemic restrictions.
March2Success lets you:
📚 Study at your own pace
📝 Take pre-tests to determine strengths and weaknesses
✏️ Get a study plan and goals tailored just for you
🕗 Access it anytime
🔍 Explore the Army Career navigator
📍Locate a recruiter
📓 Prepare for the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
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Hopewell Moose Lodge Update
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On February 28, 2019 the Hopewell Moose Family Center was destroyed by fire. Construction continues on the rebuilding of the new lodge, with an opening expected in January. The Moose has been a staple in the area since 1956 and dedicates itself to community service, from helping the elderly, supporting events and field trips for all schools and grade levels, to public safety and our military. The new ballroom will seat up to 300 and is great for corporate events and reunions. If you’d like to reserve for 2021 or help the lodge finish completion with a sponsorship or donation.
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Rolls-Royce to Close PG Factory
What was bad news turned worse this week as Rolls-Royce announced it would be closing its Prince George factory completely. There was hope that laying off 120 employees initially would stave of a full closure, however, the aircraft part manufacturing facility will now be closed next summer. Rolls-Royce has been an active member of the Chamber since 2008 with a number of site leaders serving on the Board of Directors.
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Tripp's Tips #2: Branding (or Rebranding) Your Business
If you own a business, you have most likely heard of branding. Branding is a "name, term, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies a seller's goods or services as distinct from those of other sellers." (Wikipeda.com) Why is this important? Branding can change how people perceive your business, drive new business, and increase brand awareness. Things like your logo, a MAJOR part of your branding, gains recognition among your customers, and gives the impression that your business is an industry expert. Sometimes, a company will decide to implement a marketing strategy of getting a new name, symbol, or logo to change its image. This is called "rebranding." It is important to remember that your "brand" only exists in the minds of your consumers. It is what they believe your company does and how they feel about it. Are you ready to brand your business for the first time? Or are thinking about rebranding?
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Swift Creek Mill Theatre Flooded
Saturday, August 15, Swift Creek Mill Theatre experienced severe flooding as a result of heavy rains. Over a foot of water accumulated in the structure's main level, completely submerging the basement and dining room. Artistic Director Tom Width called it "the worst I have seen in my 44 years at the Mill."
This represents a devastating blow to the Mill’s struggle to reopen in 2021, already an uphill battle in light of the massive loss of revenue experienced as a result of its forced closure, since mid-March, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. “There is no skirting around the stark situation in which we find ourselves” said Managing Director Steven Koehler. “I will be blunt: the future of the Mill is in serious jeopardy. More than ever, we are in desperate need of donations.”
The theatre, which is a not-for-profit organization, launched a “KeepTheLightsOn” campaign in April asking for donations during its closure but responses, though initially promising, have waned in recent weeks. Those who wish to do so can make a donation on the Mill’s website at www.swiftcreekmill.com or by using their text-to-give option by dialing (804) 424-5270 and following the prompts. A GoFundMe page has also been set up for donations.
“We are truly grateful for the outpouring of support and concern expressed by so many members of the community,” said Koehler. “We have faced challenges before and are determined to overcome this setback and come back stronger than ever.”
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LambArts and Breez-In Partner to Provide "Distancing Kits"
With the pandemic shutting things all down around us Lamb Arts sprung into action and created over 550 Creative Distancing Kits for the youth in our community. Kits included a Creative Workbook, all the art supplies needed for the workbook, and COVID-19 related hygiene supplies such as a KN95 facemask, toilet paper, and soap. Breez-In chipped in to - expanding their community efforts to sponsor 50 of Lamb Arts Kits. We love to see our members working together like this!
Kits were distributed to students free lunch across Hopewell, Prince George, and Sussex. If you are interested in sponsoring an upcoming project reach out to Dr. Lamb at eliza@lambarts.org.
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Essentials for Excellent Customer Service
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We've partnered with Community College Workforce Alliance, Virginia's Gateway Region, and Virginia Career Works to offer this excellent, nationally recognized Customer Service training course on a flexible schedule.
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Reliability Center offers new EasyRCA Program
What organization doesn't encounter problems? None. The answer is none. And no one is better at solving problems than the Reliability Center. EasyRCA helps you solve problems using an approach that’s familiar: a cause-and-effect tree on sticky notes and a whiteboard.
You can uncover the root causes of any problem, from Space Shuttle disasters to pump failures, all without having to train on the software. Check it out!
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Have questions about 2020 Medicare Advantage Plans?
Contact Beverly Daniels at 804.335.5902 or beverly.daniels@anthem.com
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804.541.2461 (M: 804.536.3025)
4100 Oaklawn Blvd
Hopewell, VA 23860
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Let's Get Social (from a distance)
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