Business News NOW
From the Central Virginia Small Business Development Center

June 8, 2023

Intern Support Available
Would you be interested in an intern 1/2 paid for by the Commonwealth of Virginia? Want someone else to help with the job description and/or take care of the hiring details for you?

Contact Region 9 Internship Collab (R9IC)'s coordinator at [email protected]

Funding is available to help with wages, housing, transportation and more for the intern. 
Considering a Franchise?

As more folks explore starting a new business, franchises can be a popular choice. If you are considering signing on the dotted line, please have this article from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission in your toolbox!
From our friends at Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black:
Employers in Virginia cannot “enter into, enforce, or threaten to enforce a covenant not to compete” with any “low-wage employee.” Who falls into this category? A low-wage employee currently means any worker, including independent contractors, who earns an average of less than $1,343 per week, or $69,836 annually. The Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) calculates this amount based on data collected from employers across the commonwealth. VEC analyzes the data regularly to ensure it aligns with current economic conditions and trends.

Contact their Charlottesville office at 434.220.5685.
VEPD INTERNATIONAL TRADE UPDATE

This webinar will assist your company’s ability to recognize, mitigate, and eliminate forced labor from your supply chain. U.S. law prohibits the importation of goods mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part with forced labor. Companies that are not compliant can face seizure of goods, financial and reputational harm, and potentially face criminal and/or civil consequences.
 

The Virginia Maritime Association's International Trade Symposium, Oct. 4 - 6, 2023 in Norfolk, is the east coast's premier conference for ports, logistics, and trade. VMA23 features 30+ expert speakers and three full days of industry discussion and networking events. For a limited time, businesses exporting products from Virginia can take advantage of a heavily discounted ticket of $200 (select the Symposium Cargo Owner option when registering).
 
Medica 2023 – Nov. 13 - 16, 2023
The world’s leading medical trade show, held in Duesseldorf, Germany, will consist of five medical technology segments and will provide participants with an unmatched business platform for establishing solid connections with regular and new clients. VEDP’s booth at Medica 2023 will have space for eight Virginia businesses to exhibit.

Additional information is available at ExportVirginia.org.

Grants, Loans, Credits
Are You a Women-Owned Business?

WomensNet gives away at least $30,000 every month in Amber Grant money. In recognition of the diversity of businesses owned by women, they've expanded their grant-giving to include “Marketing Grants,” “Business Category Grants,” as well as two “$25,000 Year End Grants.” A $15 application fee is required.
There are a number of grant opportunities available through various USDA programs accessible to local small businesses. Click below to see a non-exhaustive list of grants compiled by CV SBDC.
Are you eligible for the Recovery Startup Business Credit?
To be eligible you must have had W-2 Employees in the 3rd or 4th quarter of 2021 and started your business after February 15, 2020. 

Eligible employers who overlooked the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) when they filed payroll tax returns for 2020 and 2021 can still claim it by filing an amended federal payroll tax return. The ERC is designed to help employers who kept paying their employees while shut down during the pandemic or who suffered a significant decline in gross receipts during the eligibility period. The ERC is a payroll tax credit, not an income tax credit, and it was available only during 2020 and 2021.
Most eligible employers who overlooked the credit can still claim it by filing Form 941-X, Adjusted Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return or Claim for Refund, available on IRS.gov. Form 941-X filers and businesses that file other types of returns can visit IRS.gov/ERC for details, forms and instructions.
Reach out for virtual meetings or in person in our Charlottesville & Culpeper offices.
Join us for Business Essentials Training!
Maximize your success, 2 hours per week for 5 weeks, working on your business!


June 14 - July 29th. Wednesdays 6-8pm. $10/class
Register for each session (linked above.)
Government Contracting Virtual Matchmaker
June 8, 2023 / 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Virtual event

Contracting requests cover ALL industry types.
This is a program that helps you get a foot in the door by making key connections. 
Prince William Chamber Members: $55 | Non-Members: $70 
Must be registered to participate. The Zoom Link will be sent after registration.
Build Your Marketing Playbook
June 26 | 9:00AM - 1:00PM
In person: Culpeper Economic Development Center (803 S Main St, Culpeper)
Join SBDC Marketing Experts for a hands-on, 4-hour marketing workout designed to help you grow your customer base both on- and off-line.
You'll walk away with tools: social media management, apps, and websites available for free or low cost!


Sponsored by the Culpeper County Economic Development Office.
Apply by July 7th!
CIC's 16-Week Entrepreneur Workshop

Take your business to the next level! This hands-on course enables entrepreneurs to determine whether their business is viable, develop an initial plan for launching or growing their business and learn the fundamentals of how to act on that plan.
2 Cohorts:
Charlottesville Aug 22 - Dec 12
Culpeper Aug 22 - Dec 12
~Culpeper Small Businesses~
Save the Date!
Registration coming soon
More Webinars from the Virginia SBDC Network
June 12 | 11:30 AM EST

June 13 | 12:30 PM EST

June 14 | 5:30 PM EST
Access the CVSBDC Events Calendar and 
statewide training offerings for even more learning!

Central Virginia SBDC

Your Partners in Business:

​Supporting Small Business - from Startups to International Expansion

Serving the City of Charlottesville and the Counties of Albemarle, Culpeper, Fluvanna,
Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, Orange, Rappahannock.