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A new mural by local artist Sarah Gallahan adorns the side of a building at White House Foods. Photo credit: OldTownist. |
Winchester Economic Development Newsletter
The City of Winchester, Economic Development Authority, focuses on attracting, expanding, and retaining economic development activity to maximize our industrial and commercial land use. Our strategy includes preserving the city's social, environmental, architectural, and cultural fabric.
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TWG Insurance: Your Local Insurance Solution in Winchester
TWG Insurance, located at 24 W. Piccadilly St. is a locally owned and operated insurance agency committed to providing personalized insurance solutions for both personal and business needs. Established in 2002, TWG Insurance offers over 350 years of combined experience among its team of highly qualified professionals. TWG Insurance specializes in a wide range of services including home, auto, life, renters, commercial property, liability, workers' compensation, and business auto insurance. They also provide specialty coverages such as flood, cyber liability, and umbrella insurance. Their contracts with top insurance companies ensure that clients receive the best coverage at competitive prices.
Dedicated to the Winchester community, TWG Insurance actively participates in local events and supports community initiatives. Their mission is to offer strategic solutions for insurance and risk management, delivering outstanding customer service and personal attention. Choose TWG Insurance for trusted advice and tailored protection. Visit TWG Insurance Team to meet the local team at TWG Insurance or call 540-662-1828.
|  | Want to see your business here? Reach out to econ.dev@winchesterva.gov! |
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50 and counting: OakCrest celebrates its golden jubilee | One of Winchester’s most well-known businesses is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The OakCrest Cos. celebrated the milestone with champagne toasts and a catered meal for staff and community supporters. | A Winchester historic landmark is saved — again | A circa 1790 house has a new lease on life thanks to The Adams Companies. Preservation of Historic Winchester (PHW) has presented the Winchester-based business with the Katherine G. Rockwood Revolving Fund Award for outstanding renovation work done at 311 S. Loudoun St., also known as the Simon Lauck House. | 'A win-win-win': Business invites local artists to display work | Stephanie Novak of Winchester opened the doors of C.B. Hair Suites in March. She was excited, licensed professionals were interested and tenants came quickly. There just seemed to be one issue: Aside from a fresh coat of paint, the walls of 1620 S. Loudoun St. were bare. | Virginia is America’s top state for business | CNBC just announced that Virginia is ranked America’s Top State for Business for the sixth time — the most decorated state since the ranking was established in 2007. Investments in site development, infrastructure, and workforce development played a major role in capturing the No. 1 spot for the Commonwealth. | The Quirky Closet continues to expand | |
Local boutique The Quirky Closet (224 S. Loudoun St.) recently celebrated the opening of its second location inside the Dulles Painted Tree, and now they're expanding again! Their third shop will be in the Painted Tree in Cary, NC, and will offer boutique items unique to that location.
Congratulations on your interstate expansion!
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Click the photo above to view the June stats from the Laurel Ridge SBDC. In June alone, they assisted 23 clients in Winchester resulting in almost $2 million in loans and other investments. The Laurel Ridge SBDC offers resources to start your business, manage your business, or grow your business.
To learn about how they can help you turn your business dreams into a reality or level up your existing business, contact Christine Kriz.
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Youmans wrapping up 37-year tenure as city's planning director | After 37 years of service to the city, Winchester Planning Director Timothy Youmans is retiring. His last day will be July 26. | He played Winchester shows at age 12. Now, he headlines festivals worldwide. | After getting home from his usual Thursday evening date night with his wife, Reece Alan Scruggs prepared his coffee for the next day’s work and opened Instagram for a casual scroll. It was then that he saw the social media message. It came from popular heavy metal band Machine Head. The question within was nothing short of “a dream come true,” he said. | A familiar face is among the new owners of Union Jack Pub and Restaurant | To say that taking a bartender job at Union Jack Pub and Restaurant in 2012 changed Jason Williams’ life would not be an exaggeration. From meeting his wife at the bar on a full-moon Friday over a decade ago to recently signing the papers to own the longtime establishment in downtown Winchester, Williams says he’s dedicated to Union Jack for the long haul. | Preservation of Historic Winchester honors top preservation projects | Preservation of Historic Winchester (PHW) celebrated the best in recent local historic preservation projects at its 60th annual meeting on Sunday. Newly-elected board president Ben Ford honored several people and properties at the gathering held at Winchester Brew Works. | Winchester Medical Center earns title of Best Hospital in Shenandoah Valley, secures 7th place in Virginia | U.S. News and World Report has recognized Winchester Medical Center (WMC) as a 2024-2025 Best Regional Hospital. Achieving the highest honor in U.S. News’ Best Hospitals Procedures and Conditions ratings, WMC also secured the position of the highest-ranked hospital in the Shenandoah Valley and ranked seventh overall in Virginia. | Join us in welcoming one of our newest downtown neighbors, Blue Ridge Agents Insurance! Blue Ridge Agents brings a variety of insurance services to the Winchester area like Life Insurance, Home & Auto Insurance, Health Insurance, Medicare, and more. Book an appointment on their website: www.BlueRidgeAgents.com to learn more about the different services they offer! | |
Virginia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by 0.1 percentage points in May to 2.7 percent.
Click HERE to read the VEC's June newsletter.
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GRANTS, LOANS & OTHER RESOURCES | |
Do you need funding to grow your small business? A 7(a) loan, SBA's primary business loan option, can help. A 7(a) loan can be used for working capital, purchasing real estate, buying equipment, and much more. Learn how to apply and find an SBA approved lender. | 16 Terrific Grants for Women Business Owners | The HerRise Micro-Grant provides financial assistance to women of color creating innovative solutions that impact their community and that are often unable to secure funding for their small business | 60th Anniversary Pitch Competition | |
Are you ready to take your product or service to the next level?
This summer, be a part of SCORE's 60th Anniversary Pitch Competition and pitch your business to a panel of industry experts to compete for a chance to secure up to $20,000 for your business. Imagine how this additional funding could impact your business growth. The deadline for applications is July 31, 2024, at 11:59 PM ET.
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As a mission-based lender, SCCF can assist entrepreneurs who are unable to attain capital through commercial lending. Small business microloans range from $1,000 to $50,000, and can fund various expenses, including equipment, inventory, and working capital for small businesses that do not qualify for commercial business loans. | |
How Can A 504 Loan
Help You In 2024?
| Whether you're a small business owner, a lender, or an existing borrower with Business Finance Group, a 504 loan may be just the thing you need to reach your growth goals in 2024! | Virginia Tourism Corporation grants | |
Microbusiness Marketing Leverage Program - Applications due by 5:00 PM on Thursday, August 22, 2024
| Mini-Grant Application Opens for Urban Agriculture in Virginia | The "Advancing Urban Agriculture and Sustainable Food Systems in Virginia" team is excited to announce the availability of mini-grant funds and is now accepting proposals for projects aimed at enhancing urban agriculture across the state. Grants will range from $5,000 to $15,000, with a project period of up to 12 months. Deadline―August 19, 2024 (5 PM ET). | |
61 Grants, Loans and Programs to Benefit Your Small Business | Fast Break for Small Business Grant | Accion Opportunity Fund, LegalZoom, the NBA, WNBA, and NBA G-League have joined forces to provide entrepreneurs across the country with grants and LegalZoom services to support their small businesses. 150 small businesses will receive $10,000 grants and a LegalZoom product of their choosing, valued up to $500. Applications open February 15 and close September 13, 2024. | Click HERE for a list of 36 small business grants for minority entrepreneurs. | Need $4,000 To Help Your Business Grow? Apply for a business development grant from the National Association for the Self-Employed. You could receive up to $4,000 for your small business through the NASE Growth Grants program. Grants can be used for marketing, advertising, hiring employees, expanding facilities, and other specific business needs. | Grants for small businesses, for-profit organizations, corporations and LLc, grants for small business startup and growth including government, state, local federal, and foundation grant funding. | |
WEBINARS, CLASSES, EVENTS & MORE | |
Seminar on opening/operating child care centers | Join the Laurel Ridge SBDC on July 23 9 AM - 12 PM for a free seminar on Child Care Center operation in the Winchester metropolitan Area. Hear from Tiarra Payne, owner of the Tee Spot, about how she grew her business from a family day home to a childcare center with 10+ employees. | |
Capacitor rolling applications are open | The Capacitor Incubator Program is a hybrid incubation model for entrepreneurs with scalable business ideas, to help you create your first proof of concept, identify the appropriate target market, and build the systems and financing for the successful launch of your business. | |
On Thursday, August 22, 2024, the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber will host Hob Nob in the Valley presented by United Bank at the Winchester Regional Airport Hangar 509. This nonpartisan gathering will bring together elected officials, current public office candidates, government leaders, and the local business community for a unique occasion of networking and socializing. One of the purposes for this event is to build and maintain strong synergy between local government and the business community, leading to proactive engagement. | Registration for Worlds of Work (WoW) is live! | Worlds of Work has opened the eyes of middle school students in the Shenandoah Valley to career paths for more than five years. Nearly 80 exhibitors engage with students through hands-on career exploration. This year's WoW will occur on October 11! | |
Winchester Main Street names its first executive director | Winchester Main Street has hired its first and only paid employee, according to a media release from the organization. | |  |
First Fridays are back! Every first Friday of the month, we host local artists, live music, sip & stroll, special events, and more in the heart of Old Town Winchester. Visit our website for more info! | | |
Join us for our third annual Fiddles & Fifths Bluegrass and Bourbon Festival on Saturday, September 14 in the heart of Old Town Winchester, VA! We've partnered with our awesome friends at Bright Box and The Monument for this year's event to bring you headlining acts Sister Sadie and The Wilson Springs Hotel. Also new this year is our Broken Window Brewing Co. stage featuring Palmyra, The Montvales, and The Shade Tree Collective. Plus, a fantastic variety of food trucks, a beer garden featuring our amazing local breweries and cideries, and of course, plenty of bourbon! | |
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We recently had the pleasure of meeting Terri Hardin, owner of Fleur de Lis Cheese Shop, located at 17 S. Loudoun Street in Old Town. Offering the best artisan cheeses and meats, and accompaniments like house-selected jams and mustards, pickles, freshly baked breads from Knead Bread, and more, Fleur de Lis has everything you need for your next party, picnic, or grown-up snack dinner. | |
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On June 27, EDA staff attended the Cider Hill Neighborhood Design District (NDD) Community Meeting where we had the opportunity to meet with community members, answer questions, and provide more information about this transformative project. Attendees were even treated to a tour of ZeroPak! We hope you'll join us at the next NDD community meeting to get an exciting glimpse into future development in Winchester. | |
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We visited our amigos at Deli Tía Mena at 14 E. Gerrard Street for some authentic Salvadoran specialties. In addition to traditional favorites like tamales, pupusas, and chicharrones, they also offer all-day breakfast, Salvadoran French bread, and delicious, homemade ice cream! They have limited space for dine-in, or you can call (540) 313-4897 to order some seriously tasty carryout. | |
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The Winchester EDA was proud to sponsor this program that gives local students an opportunity to explore different career paths, cultivate leadership skills, and develop a sense of civic and social responsibility. Congratulations to the 2024 Top of Virginia Regional Chamber Arising Leadership Program graduates! | |
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The Winchester EDA is excited to announce free notary services for Winchester-based businesses. Got a contract, deed, or affidavit you need notarized? We can help! Walk-ins and appointments are welcome.
A few things to keep in mind if you need notary services:
- A valid, government-issued photo ID is required to use services
- Bring all documents you need notarized at once
- Make sure documents are fully complete and ready for notarization. The notary cannot provide legal advice. Consult an attorney if legal advice is necessary.
- The notary has the right to refuse notary services for any document for any reason
Have questions about notary service eligibility or want to schedule an appointment? Call (540) 532-5307 or email sam.iden@winchesterva.gov.
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If you're a local business and would like to invite members of the EDA for a tour/visit, please let us know! Send us an email at: econ.dev@winchesterva.gov. | |
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Economic Development Authority Meetings
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