April 2023 Business Monthly e-Newsletter

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APRIL 2023

SPOTLIGHT | UPDATES | OPPORTUNITES | EDUCATION | EVENTS

HIGHLIGHTS

Business Spotlight

Property Spotlight

Have You Heard

Apply for Small Business Incentives

Business Directory

Job Listings

Available Buildings and Sites

Mustard Seed Natural Market is a local, independent, family owned provider of REAL food for all your grocery needs plus additional healthy living supplements and products. Their name, Mustard Seed, springs from the Bible verse that states “faith like a mustard seed can move mountains”.

Katie and Jim Hoving took a leap of faith with their latest business venture, Mustard Seed Natural Market. Their previous leap, moving from the Midwest to the mid-coast of Maine, worked out well so there’s no reason to think their natural food store in the White Marsh Shopping Center will be any different. They first felt the Lord calling them out of their typical suburban lifestyle years ago and were subsequently led to start a small farm. It was a steep learning curve, to say the least, with many challenges along the way.

With no retail experience, their desire is to provide REAL food and great products, trying their best to be very cognizant of prices yet also trying to support the local and small producers of these products, who are struggling to make ends meet, also. They want to support the fellow “little guy” as much as possible.

Mustard Seed Natural Market & Country Provisions is located at 4858 George Washington Memorial Hwy in Hayes. Check out their WEBPAGE

If you would like your business to be considered for the monthly e-newsletter In the Spotlight feature, please send photos and a short article to Amanda Ridings. We'd also love to share your testimonial of why Gloucester is the perfect place for your business!

PROPERTY SPOTLIGHT

Former Page Property Available for Purchase

Contact Sherry Spring for more information on this 28 acre property!

View Details on this Property!

HAVE YOU HEARD??

Karen McCook has been in the restaurant business for 30 years, and just opened her first shop. Baked is located at 1759 George Washington Memorial Highway in Gloucester Point. The bakery is open Wednesday-Sunday from 10am-4pm.

McCook is known locally as "The Cheesecake Lady", but will also provide custom cakes and cookies, scones, and will serve coffee, smoothies and ice cream form Short Lane.

-T- Mobile is set to open on May 26. The new store will be located at 7115 George Washington Memorial Hwy.

T-Mobile will bring high speed internet to the community as well as offer free phones to new customers who sign up.

There have been numerous businesses rumored to be coming to Fox Mill Centre, but Valvoline Instant Oil Change is the only one that has signed a lease.

The new location will be located on one acre of land across from Walmart and next to Verizon. It will be 2,077 square feet and will have three bays.

Valvoline is expected to open January 2024.

Jack Bertuglia announced his newest restaurant, Fiorello Ristorante Italiano in the White Marsh Shopping Center, is now open!

The restaurant is located at 4938 George Washington Mem Hwy in the former Wild Horse Cafe building.

OTHER NEWS

Sherry Spring, director of Economic Development, attended the Seafood Expo North America and Seafood Processing North America Trade Show March 12-14 in Boston. This is the largest seafood show in the nation and is held at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. There were approximately 12,000 exhibitors from all over the world selling their products and services. Mrs. Spring was part of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) team meeting and talking to businesses about the advantages of locating in Virginia and in Gloucester. Several pre-appointments were set prior to the trade show with businesses. The seafood industry is a growing industry by the number of businesses talking about expansion plans. The VEDP and the Gloucester Department of Economic Development will now start following up on the leads from the show in hopes to attract new businesses locally and in the Commonwealth.

TRAINING/WEBINARS & EVENTS

Website-Full Calendar of Events

SMALL BUSINESS INCENTIVES AND OTHER ASSISTANCE

The Gloucester County Board of Supervisors, Economic Development Authority and Economic Development Department are dedicated to promoting and improving the economic health and quality of life in Gloucester. These incentive programs are here to support, promote and encourage small businesses by providing assistance with interior and exterior improvements, advertising and website design work.

Property Improvement: Assistance with renovations and build-out for new and expanding businesses. Projects covered in this incentive include new floors, ceiling tiles, windows, doors, painting and other interior improvements. If you are considering applying for this grant, please contact our office to confirm that the project is eligible before applying.

Facade Improvement: This program is designed to provide assistance to property or business owners for exterior façade improvements, new signage or landscaping. If you are considering applying for this grant, please contact our office to confirm that the project is eligible before applying.

Co-op Advertising Grant: This program supports advertising and promotional activities.

E-Commerce Matching Grant Program: Offers aid with new website design and development.

All businesses applying for Economic Development Incentives will need to submit a completed and signed IRS form W9.

Click Here for Application

Childcare Financing Program

Attention licensed childcare providers: Could you use a no-interest loan for equipment or improvement projects at your center?

If you are in good standing with the Division of Licensing Programs of the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), you may be eligible for loan funds up to $250,000 ($15,000 max for home providers) through the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority's Child Care Financing Program. The program is designed to assist Virginia child care providers in obtaining financing for fixed asset needs and educational materials.