News from Our Chamber Members

July 2021

CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

Member News is a monthly newsletter that provides news about Chamber members.

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INTERNATIONAL TRIP: SPAIN & SUNNY COSTA DEL SOL

To register for the international trip, please call Christy Harper at 434.836.6990 or email chamber@dpchamber.org.

NEW VIRGINIA: SCALING 4 GROWTH

Now Accepting Applications!

August 5, 2021 – February 3, 2022

STATEWIDE RECRUITMENT - CLASSES WILL BE VIRTUAL AND OPEN TO QUALIFIED APPLICANTS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH

Small Business Owners, would you like to go from Entrepreneur to CEO?

Increase your revenue and create jobs?

The Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity is now accepting on line applications for NEW VIRGINIA: SCALING4GROWTH. This “StreetWise MBA” program is in partnership with Interise.org [Boston, MA].

This is an accelerated program meeting every other Thursday from 10 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. This opportunity is open to Virginia-based businesses only and those who meet the minimum requirements.

APPLY NOW

After opening this link, do NOT click “yes” that you want additional information. Go directly to the FULL application for consideration for an interview.

Questions or need more info: Email randy.brown@sbsd.virginia.gov

WEST PIEDMONT PLANNING DISTRICT: VANPOOLING

Webinar: How Vanpooling Can Benefit Your Business or Organization

Would your company or organization be more productive if your employees had more transportation choices to get to work? How would staffing be impacted if you could broaden your recruiting base?

Vanpooling is an option that can benefit your workforce regardless of where they live or what shift they work. It’s popular throughout Virginia as a way to provide mobility, help employees save time and money, and get people to work in places where traditional transit doesn’t work. Commute with Enterprise currently operates vanpools across Virginia, transporting hundreds of Virginians to work. Multiple funding models are available, with the likelihood of a new state subsidy, to make vanpooling more affordable.

Please join the webinar hosted by RIDE Solutions, with vanpool expert Kay Young-Brown, of Commute with Enterprise:

Date: Tuesday, July 13, 2021

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Topic: Information on how to start a Vanpool

BASSETT OFFICE SUPPLY: CHAMBER MEMBER DISCOUNT

Bassett Office Supply is offering an exclusive discount for Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce Members! Take advantage of this exclusive discount during the month of July by clicking the graphic below or calling 800.600.5341.

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AVERETT UNIVERSITY

The Averett University School of Nursing recently received accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education [CCNE], one of the most recognized accrediting agencies in the country, ensuring the quality and integrity of baccalaureate, graduate and residency programs in nursing.

Averett’s traditional, on-campus, four-year Bachelor of Science in nursing [BSN] program was re-accredited for 10 years – the maximum number of years allowed – and this is the program’s second time to receive accreditation from CCNE.

Averett’s Master of Science in nursing [MSN] program received CCNE accreditation for five years, the maximum number of years for initial licensure for a new program, and the post-graduate advanced practiced registered nurses [APRN] certificate program received it for 10. This is the earliest these programs were eligible for accreditation since their inception in 2019.

A total of 127 students have graduated from Averett’s nursing program. During the spring 2021 commencement exercises, 16 students graduated from the BSN program. Many of them entered the workforce in a wide range of specialty areas, and over 30% of those graduates will remain in the Danville area. The first cohort from the MSN program is expected to graduate in December.

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HOW TO STRENGTHEN YOUR LINKEDIN PRESENCE

Ilsa Loeser, Founder of Letterpress Communications, presented this virtual webinar "Strengthening your LinkedIn Brand" sponsored by Longwood SBDC for Business Appreciation Week in June. Watch the recording or view the presentation below!

VIEW SLIDES

WATCH RECORDING

Password to watch the recorded webinar: R0m7Z#yY

LONGWOOD SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Building the Foundation for Your New Business

When: July 14, 2021, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Where: Online via Zoom

Presenter: Michael Scales, Longwood SBDC Business Analyst

Some of the most popular reasons to start a business include-having a unique business idea, designing a career that has the flexibility to grow with you, working toward financial independence, and investing in yourself.

Prepare to start a successful business:

Evaluate your entrepreneurial abilities
Marketing strategies
Financial resources
Legal form of organization
Tips to prepare & present your business plan
Cybersecurity Tips

Not every small business is positioned for success, so you may be in for a real challenge when you decide to take the plunge, ditch your day job, and become a business owner. The stage is often set in the beginning, so make sure you start with a strong foundation.

CO.STARTERS

Get Started Workshop

When: July 21, 2021, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Where: Online via Zoom

Presenter: Brandon Hennessey, Longwood SBDC Business Analyst

What if you could spend all your time doing what you love? Or finally stop talking about that idea you’ve had and start moving toward actually doing it? The CO.STARTERS Get Started Workshop is here to help. Whether just getting started, stuck on a particular issue, or in need of a refresher, this workshop will provide the jumpstart needed to get you moving.

This workshop is INTERACTIVE and you will be required to complete your participant workbook, participate in interactive activities, and keep your video ON during the workshop.

Evaluate your entrepreneurial abilities and assumptions
Explore your idea through the CO.STARTERS Canvas
Refine your model through customer engagement
Defining and Taking Next Steps

During this workshop, you’ll have the opportunity to understand what’s driving you, to explore your idea through the CO.STARTERS Canvas, and refine your model by learning ways to get meaningful customer feedback and start pursuing your idea today.

DANVILLE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS & HISTORY: A STITCH IN TIME

Wanderlove: A Stitch In Time

A Fiber Art Exhibition for the

River District of Danville

July 4 – September 28, 2021

The Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History has teamed up with the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce, Danville Parks and Rec., the River District Association, the Dan River Basin Association, Sovah Health – Danville, and Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, as well as many other civic organizations, on one of the largest and most ambitious community knit projects in the region.

This fiber, knitting & crocheting collaboration by the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History, recognizes the building of community found within the age-old practice of gathering to assemble fabric and knitted pieces in small groups. This interactive winter community project that was produced from January through June, celebrated and reflects people’s many different backgrounds and experiences. Participants were invited to collaborate in the making of a "Yarn Bombing" installation along the Danville Riverwalk, and share their COVID19 stories.

Visitors participating from home were invited to create their own assembled yarn covering, using materials they had on hand – T-shirt fabric, thread, and recycled sweaters! Knitted, crocheted and constructed fabric contributions were added to our "WANDERLOVE: A Stitch in Time" Yarn Bomb creating an assembled reflection of the community in bright, joyful colors.

SOVAH HEALTH: CELEBRATING OUR NEIGHBORS, FAMILY MEMBERS & FRIENDS - CANCER SURVIVIORS

Ankit Madan, MD

Hematology/Oncology

As we have improved screening measures, early diagnosis, and developed advanced treatments of all types of cancer such as targeted therapy and immunotherapy, there is now a growing population of cancer survivors. According to the National Cancer Institute, there are 16.9 million cancer survivors in the United States, representing 5 percent of the population. These numbers will grow to 26.1 million across all age groups by 2040 (Source: Bluethmann S, et al. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, 2016). They are our neighbors, family members, colleagues, and friends. The support they need now may differ from the ways in which we supported them through treatment and recovery.

In June, which is designated as National Cancer Survivor Month, we honor the cancer survivors in our lives – those who have won the fight and those who are still battling. Survivorship means living with, through, and beyond cancer. Survivorship starts at diagnosis and includes those in active treatment, and those who have completed treatment. The phrase “cancer survivorship” was created by the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) to describe the broad experience on the cancer continuum.

While we recognize the difficult journey of cancer patients, and we find meaningful ways to celebrate their end of treatment and recovery milestones, too often we underestimate what comes next in their lives. Cancer survivors embark on a journey of discovering a new normal for themselves.

Many cancer survivors face physical, emotional, and psychological challenges following treatment. Coping with the constant fear of recurrence and managing cancer as a chronic illness can lead to feeling uncertain and vulnerable. Managing personal relationships, ability to work, and take care of one’s family. Survivors may face several changes including what they eat, what they feel they are able to do, permanent scars on their bodies, and feeling angry or lonely. To manage these challenges, survivors can benefit from healthy eating, staying active, sleeping well, being informed, and using creative outlets to express their feelings.

The Sovah Health Cancer Center is striving to provide an environment that addresses the comprehensive needs of patients, so that they not only survive, but thrive. Whether it is through fundraising for cancer research, walking or running in a charitable race, raising awareness about early screenings, or offering care to a friend or loved one, we all have a role to play in making sure that our brave cancer fighters feel supported and understood as they face new challenges reintegrating back into their daily lives.

To learn more about cancer care at Sovah Health, please visit SovahHealth.com.

DEWBERRY: ELIZABETH SCARCE PROMOTED TO NATIONAL MARKETING DIRECTOR

Dewberry, a privately held professional services firm, has announced that Elizabeth Scarce has been promoted to national marketing director, engineering services. She is based in Danville, Virginia, and has been with the firm for nearly 30 years.

In her new role, Scarce will lead the firm’s strategic marketing efforts and continue to oversee a national network of marketing managers, coordinators, and assistants. She will maintain a focus on leadership development, aligning marketing objectives with the firm’s strategic plan and the latest business intelligence, and mentoring and training staff members. Scarce’s signature achievements include establishing a cohesive communications framework for marketing activities, creating a robust on-boarding process for new employees, and cultivating a clear career path for marketing team members.

Scarce earned a bachelor's degree in communications from Elon University [1991] and is a graduate of Lead Virginia, class of 2018. She is a member of the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce and is a candidate for the 2021 Virginia Business Women in Leadership competition.

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CFDRR HAS A BIG HEART FOR OUR COMMUNITY

The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region announces $282,955 awarded in scholarships to local students. CFDRR has a big heart for our community. The faces in this heart collage below are Foundation scholarship donors or those honored by them:

The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region announces today a total of 129 scholarship awards to local students. The scholarships, totaling $282,955, are the result of The Community Foundation’s 2021 scholarship cycle. With 151 qualified students applying, the awards were made to 114 students from 55 separate scholarship funds. The Foundation awarded scholarships to 33 prior recipients and 96 new applicants. The average award was $2,482.

Although COVID restrictions prevented the Foundation’s annual scholarship reception, staff attended high school awards ceremonies to celebrate scholarship recipients, both virtually and in-person, at the following schools: Westover Christian Academy, George Washington High School, Galileo Magnet High School, Gretna High School, Tunstall High School, and Bartlett Yancey High School.

The Community Foundation’s next scholarship cycle begins January 1, 2022 for academic year 2022 – 2023. The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region is a public charity established in September 1996 by a steering committee of civic leaders to improve and enrich area lives through the generosity of donors.

For more information about scholarships awarded, please visit The Community Foundation office at 541 Loyal Street, Danville, VA, 24541, call 434.793.0884, or view their website at www.cfdrr.org.

WAKG: SUMMER OF SOUTHERN SWAG 2021

WAKG's Custom Embroidery and Screen Printing Summer t-shirts are a BIG hit!

Let WAKG help draw customers to your location with one of their popular "T-Shirt Stops" – giving you a chance to showcase your products, services and more while customers stop by to grab a free t-shirt and sign up to win $500 in Visa Gift Cards!

WAKG will broadcast live from your business as well as stream on Facebook Live.

Promotion Includes:

Live mentions by their on-air personalities to promote the stop at your location
Live broadcast from your business [six live cut-ins by on-air personality from your business]
Your choice of: 2 Hour Broadcast Monday – Friday, between the hours of 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. [schedule permitting]

2 Hour Broadcast Saturday, between the hours of 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. [schedule permitting]
Facebook Live from your business on their official fan page [with 20,052 likes]
Social Media Push – featured on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
App Push Notification – reminder sent to those who have the WAKG app

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DANVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAM

Effective immediately, Danville Public Schools will be serving meals at no charge to children 18 and under June 21, 2021 through July 30, 2021. The U.S. Department of Agriculture [USDA] has approved waivers for local school divisions and other federal meal program sponsors to implement the Summer Food Service Program to provide meals to children in the community free of charge.

The waivers support access to nutritious meals while minimizing exposure to COVID-19.

Meals are available to all children including those learning in-person or virtually and regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.

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THE LAUNCH PLACE & THE ANGEL CAPITAL ASSOCIATION PARTNER IN OCTOBER EVENTS

The Launch Place and the Angel Capital Association [ACA]’s Angel University are partnering to bring together angel investors and entrepreneurs to learn, share and network. This two-day event offers a unique experience for both angel investors and entrepreneurs that will be filled with immersive learning and networking. Attendees will begin the two-day event with ACA Angel University and conclude with a fast-paced pitch competition where winners will walk away with $15,000 to move their ventures forward.

ACA Angel University will offer two courses valuable to both angel investors and entrepreneurs—Angel Exit Strategy and Valuation. This is the first time these two courses are being taught with angels and entrepreneurs learning together. Angels learn how to value startup companies and how to harvest the value of their investments helping their companies generate successful exits. Entrepreneurs gain a better understanding of how angels think leading to stronger partnerships.

The Big Launch Challenge, a competition targeting the best startups in the country, is a unique opportunity to see 10 leading startups as they compete for $15,000 in prize money. Over the past 8 years of hosting this competition, The Launch Place has awarded $159,000 to 14 companies. The Launch Place strives to foster an environment for new and serial entrepreneurs in which they can raise capital and have access to support services they need to take their products and/or solutions into the marketplace.

The two-day event will begin on October 13 in the afternoon with ACA Angel University and end with the Big Launch Challenge starting at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 14. Companies interested in participating in the Big Launch Challenge must complete an application. The deadline to apply is August 16, 2021. Registration to attend these events will open later.

APPLY NOW

SMOKESTACK THEATRE COMPANY

Danville Toyota presents this Smokestack Theatre Company production that features 16 youth from the Dan River Region. This show is fun for all ages! Tickets are available now on Eventbrite or https://www.thesmokestack.org/main-stage

PURCHASE TICKETS

COUGAR BUSINESS FEST

BBB BUSINESS IMPACT REPORT

BBB recently took a deeper dive into the travel, leisure, and hospitality industry by uncovering key insights & travel trends. Read actionable steps to help your business gear up & gain an edge in the market for a travel boom. See what's inside.