Shenandoah Valley SBDC Business Advisor Jalal Maqableh, as part of his Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership at James Madison University, is conducting a study about business recovery after the COVID-19 crisis. This research is sure to provide important insights and perspectives for many different small business sector stakeholders, therefore he is seeking as much small business participation as possible.

If you are 1) a business located in Virginia, 2) were in business at least 3 months before COVID-19 hit (in existence before the end of 2019), and 3) your business is still in existence (even if temporarily closed during COVID-19), please consider participating in this vital business recovery research. Results will be collected through a secure online survey tool and included in the researcher’s dissertation. Individual responses will be handled with strict confidentiality and respondent identity will not be disclosed.

There are three parts to the survey that will be sent over several weeks, and while there is no compensation for participation, participants will be entered in a raffle for one of twenty-five $20 gift cards.

The USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) will award $1.05 billion throughout the remainder of FY 2023 and FY2024 in grants to certain energy saving projects in rural areas. Grant funding is increased to 50% (Federal share) for certain energy efficiency projects; guaranteed loans are available for 75% of a project's total cost. For further information and to determine whether you are eligible to submit an application, please see the REAP website.

Know someone that fits the bill? Direct them to https://linktr.ee/lighthouselabs where they can learn more about Lighthouse Labs, watch a pre-recorded info session,

or apply by June 5 at noon.

This half-day conference will be held at Germanna Community College, Daniel Technology Center on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 from 8:30am – 1:30pm, and is free for all to attend.