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The Shenandoah Valley Connectiontop 
November 13, 2020
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Small Business Resiliency Team (SBRT)
Bridgewater Seniors Seek Local Businesses to Partner with on Entrepreneurial Projects
Augusta County Awarded Fast-Track Broadband Grant
Harrisonburg-Rockingham Pre-Session Legislative Breakfast (12/4)
Winter 2021 College for Kids | Harrisonburg
SVTC Offering Start-Up Grants for FIRST LEGO League Teams
Welcome Back Level III Member: Harrisonburg City Economic Development
Shenandoah Valley Open Tech Jobs
Rocktown Tech Slack Channel Link
SCCF's Entrepreneurs Unite, Nov. 19
Ecosystem Builders Alex and Ryan introduce themselves
 
  

Thursday, November 19 @ 6 PM, Virtual

SCCF's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Builders, Alex Andrew and Ryan Hall, will introduce themselves as well as Startup Shenandoah Valley (S2V), a virtual acceleration program that targets entrepreneurs with scalable business ideas. If you are interested in mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs... this event is for you!

FOR MORE INFORMATION: 
https://stauntonfund.org/s2v/
TO JOIN ZOOM MEETING: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85605461331

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Deadline TODAY (11/13)
Startup Shenandoah Valley applications due
  
Startup Shenandoah Valley is a hybrid program that combines the strengths of accelerator and incubator models. The program delivers online coaching to identify and address the riskiest parts of each entrepreneur's business model. Participants will join a cohort with access to the best resource providers, mentors, and investors in and beyond the region. This powerful network and flexible online guidance are what make S2V unique. S2V is offered to participants at no charge and without equity requirements.

FOR BUSINESSES CREATING JOBS IN...
FREDERICK, WINCHESTER, CLARKE, SHENANDOAH, WARREN, PAGE, ROCKINGHAM, HARRISONBURG, HIGHLAND, AUGUSTA, STAUNTON, WAYNESBORO, BATH, ROCKBRIDGE, LEXINGTON, BUENA VISTA

FOR BUSINESSES FOCUSED ON...
LIGHT MANUFACTURING, FOOD PROCESSING, AGRICULTURE, TECHNOLOGY, AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Details | Who Should Apply | Application
https://stauntonfund.org/s2v/


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The SBRT is funded by a GO Virginia grant with the goal of providing expanded business support services and technical assistance to area businesses in the wake of COVID-19 challenges.

The program will deploy Business Resiliency Navigators to guide growth-oriented businesses through a dedicated and well-designed process for achieving incremental and sustainable growth throughout the pandemic recovery period.

The SBRT has three tracks available for our clients. Learn about each one by clicking on the .pdf flyers below.
How does the SBRT program work? 
  • You will receive personalized service from your SBRT Navigator* as they develop an Action Plan specifically designed to help you reach your goals.
  • Your Navigator will identify and invite Experts in appropriate fields to add information and help you implement the steps from your Plan.
  • They will also provide tools and other resources to assist you and introduce local service providers for specialized tasks.
  • The SBRT program costs you nothing until you may decide to engage one of the local providers to continue working for you to implement needed tasks.
*Navigators are experienced SBDC Business Advisors from the Lord Fairfax and Shenandoah Valley SBDCs.

Who should apply?
  • Growth-oriented existing businesses in the areas of tourism, retail, professional services, and healthcare will be considered first, but any business is welcome to apply if you are focused and dedicated to working toward your goals for growth. 
How do I apply? 
  • If you will be a new client:
    • Use this link to apply.
    • On Line 30, be sure to write very clearly the letters "SBRT."  
    • Here is a print version for reference.
    • Someone from our offices will contact you to set a first appointment or to discuss alternative options.
  • If you are an existing client:
    • Contact your current Advisor or call the main office at 540-568-3227 or email sbdc@jmu.edu 
Participating localities include the counties of Augusta, Clarke, Frederick, Rockbridge, Rockingham, and Shenandoah; and the cities of Harrisonburg, Waynesboro, and Winchester.

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November 11, 2020 (Bridgewater, VA). - If you own a small business and you need help with projects, Bridgewater College seniors are ready to assist. Thirty seniors in an entrepreneurship course want to form working partnerships with six small businesses or nonprofits in Harrisonburg and Rockingham and Augusta counties during the spring 2021 semester.

Their goal: to help these businesses with marketing plans, consumer research, feasibility studies for new products or services, and logo and publication development, among other projects. Students can also aid businesses in building new marketing plans to help them market themselves more successfully in the wake of COVID-19. In order to participate, small businesses and nonprofits should propose projects that are entrepreneurially oriented, are designed to fit the students' capabilities, can be completed over a three-month period and have enough substance to merit course credit. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the students will complete the projects remotely. 

 "Students will use their knowledge in all business topics to analyze the firms, assess their needs, make plans of action and then implement the plans," said Dr. Maria V. Lugo, associate professor of business administration and a faculty adviser for the project.
Businesses and nonprofits that are interested in taking advantage of Bridgewater's Entrepreneurial Experience Service-Learning Project should contact Lugo by email at mlugo@bridgewater.edu or by telephone at 540-828-5418. The deadline for project submission is Dec. 4, 2020.

Bridgewater College is a private, four-year liberal arts college located in the Central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Founded in 1880, it was the state's first private, coeducational college. Today, Bridgewater College is home to 1,600 students.

Contact:
Maria Lugo
540-828-5418

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November 9 2020 (Augusta County, VA) - Augusta Countyhas been awarded a $567,063 grant for broadband funding from the Commonwealth of Virginia as part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The grant funding will be used for the Swoope Tower Fixed Wireless and New Hope Telephone Cooperative Fiber Projects.

Pam Carter, Board of Supervisors vice-chair and member of the Augusta County Broadband Committee, said, "We are extremely grateful for this grant which will jumpstart two important projects for underserved areas. We are extremely fortunate to have robust relationships in place with two providers who have already demonstrated their interest to go the 'last mile' for our most remote residents."

Both projects will increase broadband connectivity to improve distance learning, telework, and telehealth capabilities in response to COVID-19 for underserved areas identified in Augusta County's 2016 Broadband Telecommunications Strategic Plan. High speed internet will be available for those who subscribe or purchase the service. 

Carter added, "We look forward to continuing to partner with providers to look for both traditional and creative ways to provide broadband to other parts of our county. This is a very high priority for me and the Board of Supervisors."
 
New Hope Telephone Cooperative Fiber Project
The New Hope project includes the second phase of an upgrade for a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network that was completed in the cooperative's service area in the northeast part of the county  in July 2019. The grant will be used to purchase and construct fiber optic cable and equipment for an underground fiber-to-the-home, outside plant network that will replace the current infrastructure that is over 35 years old and discontinued by the manufacturer. The planned FTTH project will provide high speed and reliable Internet and telephone access for 36 households, including six home-based businesses, and will allow residents to work from home, access online education, and perform online medical appointments.  

The New Hope project total is $440,166 of which 80% ($352,132) will be CARES Act funded. Augusta County and New Hope Telephone Cooperative will both contribute 10% of the total cost - or $44,016 each.  

Swoope Tower Fixed Wireless Project
The county is partnering with Lingo Networks to provide last-mile broadband connection and middle-mile infrastructure for a remote and rural area of the county that has historically been very difficult to provide adequate service for both topographic and financial reasons. Fixed wireless technology, providing broadband service from the 488 ft tower in Swoope, and FTTH connections will provide service for 310 residents, students, teleworkers, and businesses and farms.

The total cost for the Swoope Tower project is $268,661 of which 80% (or $214,929) will be CARES Act funded. Augusta County and Lingo Networks will each contribute 10% of the total cost - or $26,866 each. 

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December 4, 2020 | 8:00 am - 9:00 am

The Pre-Session Legislative Non-Breakfast is an opportunity to ask representatives questions about the upcoming legislative session.  This year's event will be virtual via Zoom.  


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February 6-27, 2021 (Saturdays) | 9 am - 12 noon
Memorial Hall, James Madison University

College for Kids provides an enriching, educational, and fun experience for children in grades 1st-8th. Children work with JMU faculty and students, as well as experts from the community, to explore and discover talents they never knew they had!

Winter 2021 College for Kids will take place on Saturdays from February 6th - 27th. This program will be held in person. Your child's safety is our greatest priority, therefore all children will be required to wear a mask, and we will be practicing guidelines in keeping with CDC recommendations. See safety protocol here.

Course options include, but not limited to: 
  • Learning to Be a Mad Scientist (1st - 4th Grades)Science is a whole world of curiosity.  In this class, we will learn all about the science that is in our world around us.  We will have fun getting to be hands-on and experimenting with science.
  • Lego Engineering (1st - 4th Grades) - This class is for young Lego enthusiasts who are ready to delve into the world of engineering and computer coding.   Each week, students will be presented with a different LEGO Engineering challenge designed to spark their creativity and put their technical problem solving skills to work.  Participants will also get to work in teams to build and program Lego robots using the We-Do Lego curriculum.
  • Instrument Construction Projects (6th - 8th Grades) Have you ever wanted to make your own musical instrument? Get your hands ready to create a rainstick, thunder tube, didgeridoo, and more! Learn how different materials create unique sounds. Construct musical projects to take home and perform. We will even add some technology to a lesson to see how computers and technology can make everyday objects become musically alive!

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Looking for a grant to help start up your FLL team? Each year, the Shenandoah Valley Technology Council sponsors up to three new FIRST LEGO League (FLL) teams from the Shenandoah Valley. Approximately half of the start-up cost of a new team is reimbursed, up to $350.

To be eligible, teams must be located in the footprint of the Shenandoah Valley Technology Council's area of operation. Applicants must also intend participate in the FLL competition within one year of receiving the grant. This grant can be used towards any equipment required for competition in FIRST LEGO League, including one or more LEGO robotics kits, a competition practice table, and an FLL field setup kit.

If you are interested in applying for the FLL Start-Up Grant, start on our FLL page and fill out, and send, the PDF linked on that page. Information and application for FLL Startup Grant

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About FIRST LEGO League (FLL), https://www.firstlegoleague.org
FLL was created through a partnership between FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and the LEGO company and inspires future scientists and engineers. it is an international competition that challenges young participants to think like scientists and engineers. Every year FLL introduces kids to a real-world scientific topic, and teams are challenged to find a solution. They also build a robot and compete in a friendly, FIRST-style robotics event specially designed for their age group.

This year's challenge, called Replay: https://info.firstinspires.org/2021season/replay
 
FIRST LEGO League Challenge RePLAY - Season Launch Video
FIRST LEGO League Challenge RePLAY | Season Launch Video

  
About the local / Virginia league: Your state and local -Virginia and Shen. Valley- connection to FLL is VA-DC FLL (https://va-dcfll.org/), located in Harrisonburg. Virginia is one of the largest leagues in the world with over 600 teams. Start a conversation with Kaitlin and crew and see how you can get involved, right here in the Shen. Valley. (https://va-dcfll.org/who-we-are/)
 
Science and technology leaders are made, not born.

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Welcome Back Level III Member!
Harrisonburg City Economic Development

The Harrisonburg MSA is a hub for technology development. Employers are quickly discovering the tremendous assets available in the Harrisonburg area. Ideally situated two hours from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, the Shenandoah Valley offers a great quality of life, a highly skilled workforce, and a robust technology infrastructure. Harrisonburg specializes in growing information technology businesses for health and security solutions. James Madison University, with its emphasis on information security and information assurance, offers a competitive advantage as Harrisonburg seeks to attract technology developers and to foster the development of homegrown technology businesses. Come see why industry leaders Rosetta Stone, SRI International, Convergent AI, Merck, Jenzabar, Chiedo Labs, and Serco are investing hundreds of millions of dollars in this thriving market.


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  • Assistant Director, 4-VA | Harrisonburg
  • Solder Technician, VIRTEX | Waynesboro
  • IT Operations Technician, Segra | Waynesboro
  • Systems Analyst/Developer, Augusta County Service Authority | Verona
GOT ADDITIONAL JOBS THAT SHOULD BE PUBLICIZED? SEND US A NOTE AND WE'LL PUBLICIZE THEM.
 
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Participate in the local tech conversation: Rocktown Tech (Slack)

Currently there are 18 channels and over 450 members. Sign-up

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