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The splash pad is open again for the Summer season! Stay cool while visiting a selection of the many exciting businesses the City has to offer. To read more about the Splash Pad, click here. |
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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Shenandoah Music, 2133 S. Loudoun St., is the featured small business for the month of May! Serving the Shenandoah Valley since 1986, Shenandoah Music strives to provide a fun, no pressure environment where staff can help customers find their way into the lifelong enjoyment of playing a musical instrument. The ability to test out equipment before purchasing, professional setups, and friendly, knowledgeable staff have made Shenandoah Music an intergenerational, communal hub for any music need. Can't get enough Coltrane? Swing by and view saxophone offerings. Searching for that sweet Sonic Youth tone? They'll find you the right Jazzmaster. If it makes sound, its probably at Shenandoah Music. | Want to see your business here? Reach out to econ.dev@winchesterva.gov! |
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Grab your passport. Brewery, farm market trails launched locally | As the weather warms, two "trails" have launched in Winchester and Frederick County, both hoping to get folks out and about. For each trail there is a "passport" that can be picked up at participating businesses. One of the trails, the Winchester Beer and Cider trail, incorporates all eight breweries and hard cideries in the City! | Individuality, quality and local economy: Winchester entrepreneurs talk small business | The Winchester Star spoke with the owners of Mountain Trails and Lion + Ram Boutique in downtown Winchester for National Small Business Week. Read more to learn about their experiences operating businesses in Winchester into the post-pandemic economy. | A Century of the George Washington Hotel | The George Washington Hotel turns 100 this year! A storied history that mirror that of the City, the George Washington Hotel's resiliency is a testament to Winchester's timelessness. | Innovation Center students douse first vehicle fire | Firefighter Academy students at the Shihadeh Innovation Center culminated a year of firefighter and emergency medical technician training with a controlled vehicle burn. Students who complete the Firefighter Academy will gain all certifications necessary to graduate as a firefighter in Virginia. | Turning something negative into a positive - reflections of a local business owner | Michael Savino, owner of NexusBox in downtown Winchester, recently reflected on the adversity that formed him and pushed him towards entrepreneurship. His ongoing journey recently culminated with a Himalayan trek with Everest plans in the future. | |
Virginia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by 0.1 percentage points in March to 2.9 percent, 0.9 percentage points below the national rate. Winchester maintained the lowest unemployment rate among the metro areas, Charlottesville, and Northern Virginia 2.6 percent.
Click HERE to read the VEC's March newsletter.
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Annual Employer Expo provides new opportunities | The Employer Expo, an annual job fair produced in collaboration between local economic development authorities occurred on May 8. More than 500 jobseekers attended and utilized workshop and local resources. 693 job applications were filed within a 5-hour period! | Kimberly's expanded gourmet market offers downtown new treats | Opening next door to Kimberly's main location, Kimberly's Market consolidates their gourmet offerings into one location and expands available options - including homemade ice cream. Sweeten your summer and try some of Old Town's newest treats! | Winchester Star wins Virginia Press Association Awards | Photographer Jeff Taylor and writer Brian Brehm of the Winchester Star received a combined 11 awards at the Virginia Press Association's annual banquet for photographic and feature contributions. | A balancing act: motherhood, career | The Winchester Star spoke with Sarah Garman and Meghan Whitlock, owners of Purple Fern Photography, and Katie Mooney-Buzby, Executive Director of the Peter Bullough foundation, women who helm local businesses and nonprofits to discuss the balance between home life and professional life for Mother's Day. | Join in on the next Neighborhood Night - June 6 | Spend the evening connecting with your community at your neighborhood park. This summer, the City of Winchester will host a series of Neighborhood Nights one Thursday a month from May to August. The next Neighborhood Night will occur at Park Place Park on June 6 beginning at 5:30 pm! | |
GRANTS, LOANS & OTHER RESOURCES | |
eBay, in partnership with Hello Alice, is awarding more than $500,000 in grants and education resources to help small businesses stay up and running. 50 recipients will receive grant packages of $10,000, including cash, eBay education, and a $500 stipend for office equipment through eBay refurbished! Deadline is June 7, 2024. | 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. | Cadence Cash Thrive Grant | This grant is awarded quarterly, and applications are reviewed rigorously to ensure funding goes to businesses making a tangible difference in their communities. Winners will receive a $5,000 grant to boost their business growth and enhance their community impact! | Apply today for a $25,000 grant for women! Submitting one application makes you instantly eligible for all grants related to your business. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and winners are announced by the 23rd of the following month. | 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 | |
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant | Small businesses are the backbones of our communities. Through programs like Small Business Digital Ready, Verizon is committed to providing them with the tools, resources and funding they need to dream big. Register to learn more and have a chance at receiving $10,000 in grant funding for small businesses. Deadline is June 1, 2024. | Click here for more info about Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) grants and other programs. | 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. | |
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! | The Tory Burch Foundation partners with the Fearless Fund to offer 75 annual Women of Color Grants. Grant amounts range from $10,000 to $20,000; winners can also access a learning portal and small-group networking opportunities. | |
$25,000 Amazon Business Grant | The Amazon small business grants are back! Amazon business customers with annual revenue less than $1 million are eligible to apply. Your business could be one of 15 grant recipients to receive funds out of a pool of $250,000. Deadline is May 24, 2024. | This organization awards Growth Grants to four member businesses each quarter worth $4,000 each. Grant funds can be used for marketing, advertising, hiring employees or expanding facilities — anything that helps your business grow — but can’t be put toward debt, mortgage or rent payments. | Attention COVID EIDL borrowers: You may qualify to lower your COVID EIDL payments. Apply for hardship assistance today. Log in to MySBA to apply for COVID EIDL hardship and get additional help. | Click HERE for a list of 40 small business grants for minority entrepreneurs. | 67 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 | |
WEBINARS, CLASSES, EVENTS & MORE | |
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! | |
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. | Power Up Your Business Conference Save the Date | The annual Laurel Ridge Power UP Your Business Conference is on October 21! Sponsorships are available now. Take advantage of this chance to boost your visibility, network with industry leaders, and showcase your services. With sponsorships, you can maximize your impact and make a lasting impression on attendees. | |
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. | |
Join us in Old Town Winchester on Saturday, June 8 between 12-5 PM to experience a fun, free day out for the whole family as we partner with our friends and neighbors from all across the community to provide hands-on entertainment, arts & crafts activities, educational opportunities, musical performances, fun games, engaging workshops, and so much more! | |  |
First Fridays are back! Every first Friday of the month [weather permitting], 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! | | | |
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Celebrate freedom and reflect on the past at this free Juneteenth celebration on the Old Courthouse Lawn in Old Town in partnership with Hood-Love June 14, 5-10 PM. Live music, guest speakers, vendors, food, and more! | |
ZeroPak Development LLC, developer of the ZeroPak, recently utilized the Real Estate Development - Revolving Loan Fund (RED-RLF). The RED-RLF provides gap financing for large, mixed-use or workforce housing development projects. Winchester EDA offers loans, grants, and incentives for projects of all shapes and sizes. For more information about incentive eligibility and availability email econ.dev@winchesterva.gov | |
Featured: the ZeroPak design concept | |
EDA staff recently paid a visit to Doppio Bunny, located within Vibrissa Beer (10 N Kent St.). Doppio Bunny is a full-service coffee shop conveniently located inside the brewery you already know and love. Weekdays 7 am - 2 pm and weekends 8 am - 3 pm, Amanda and the team have your caffeination cravings covered! | |
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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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