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December News and Review
Helping Businesses Start, Grow and Succeed
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Welcome Newest Members!
Art of Rhythm and Dance
George Diradour, State Farm Insurance
Harlan Therapy
Healthy Hopewell Coalition
Marsh McLennan Agency
People First Solutions
Petite Taway Inc.
Real Estate Services Co.
Rightmyer Financial Services, Inc.
Vine and Branch Pest Control Solutions
West End Christian School
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Parr and Abernathy invites you to attend their Ribbon Cutting Ceremony or if you can't be there at 3 pm come anytime during the open house.
December 12, 2025
3:00 - 5:00 PM
4712 Owens Way
Prince George, VA 23875
Parr & Abernathy is excited to share that they have moved and will be holding a Ribbon cutting on Friday, December 12th at 3:00 PM. Please come and celebrate their new building, which is easy to find, with great parking and is on one floor!
Sign Up Here to Attend.
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Upcoming Holiday Event - TBD in early 2026
We WILL gather at Hopewell's newest destination, the Good Ship Brewery & Eatery - just NOT on Dec. 17!
Due to circumstances beyond everyone's control we are postponing. We promise the event will be worth the wait. Please continue planning to invite a fellow business leader, partner, vendor, customer, family member or friend to attend with you. We are rowing together towards a prosperous, enriching year full of possibilities.
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City of Hopewell Business Resource Meeting
** This event has been rescheduled to today 12/10/25
The City of Hopewell is hosting a business resource meeting for local businesses on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, from 5:30 - 6:30 PM at What the Cup Restaurant.
Reach out to Kyle English with questions kenglish@hopewellva.gov
No registration necessary.
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LOCAL LEADERSHIP UPDATES:
Welcome New Deputy Director of Hopewell Water Renewal - Andy Fitzwater!
Welcome New Superintendent of Petersburg National Battlefield - Andrea Dekoter!
Welcome New CASCOM/SCoE CG, Senior Commander Fort Lee, MG Sean Paul Davis!
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PG 2045 Comprehensive Plan Update
The PG 2045 Draft Plan is under revision and it will be posted for download on the PG2045 website.
Anyone wishing to submit comments prior to the future BOS public hearing should email their comments to the project manager at tgraves@princegeorgecountyva.gov or provide in person during the public hearing in January.
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Ft Lee and CaRMA are inviting the community to participate in the annual “Adopt a Soldier” program, giving local families the opportunity to host Soldiers who remain on post during the holiday season.
From Dec. 24, 2025, to Jan. 1, 2026, families can welcome two or more Soldiers into their homes for a home-cooked meal, holiday traditions, and a few hours of fellowship. The program helps service members experience the warmth of a traditional holiday celebration while strengthening the bond between Fort Lee and the surrounding community.
Learn more here
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George Diradour State Farm Coat Drive
Join Chamber member State Farm, George Diradour in providing New or Gently Used Coats to those who need them in our community.
Coats can be dropped off between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, M-F at the office 105 N 2nd Street in Hopewell. They will be accepting coats through December 22nd.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Kelsey at kelsey.diradour.vai5ed@statefarm.com
| | | Small Business Survey from Peoples Advantage Federal Credit Union | | |
People's Advantage is working on applying for a grant to help small businesses ramp up and potentially increase hours and staff in anticipation of the opening of the LIVE! Casino next year.
In order to ensure that they create something that will be truly impactful for the area's small business, they have created a Tri-Cities Small Business Needs Questionnaire.
It should take about one-two minutes to complete. For additional information please contact CeJae Vtipilson, Director, Market Expansion & CDFI Initiatives.
804-748-3081 x-731.
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Lego Groundbreaking
We were excited to be in attendance at the Lego Ground Breaking for the new distribution center!
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We Love Connecting Members!
We were privileged to introduce two of the region's chemical companies to each other -L to R- Rachel Jones, AdvanSix, Sarah Inglefield and Jason Phillip, BLEACHTECH @ the Boathouse City Point.
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Harlan Construction Announces Opening of New Headquarters in Richmond’s Fulton Bottom
Find out more HERE
| | | Brown announced the acquisition of DesRoches & Company. This well-respected accounting firm has served the Hampton Roads community for 37 years. For more information, click this LINK | | |
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Breeze-In New Trail Side Pavilion
Congratulations to Breeze-In on the opening of the New Trail-Side Pavilion beside the Charles City Breeze-In along the beautiful Virginia Capital Trail.
What a great amenity for locals and tourists!
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Congratulations to the Barns of Kanak
The Barns of Kanak for once again being named Best "Barn/Farm Wedding Venue" in Richmond Bride Magazine!
Other local venues listed in the magazine were: The Boathouse at City Point and Weston Manor.
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A Big Thank You to Keep Hopewell Beautiful and the volunteer soldiers from Ft. Lee who upgraded the landscaping around the Love Sign near the Visitor's Center. It looks beautiful! Photo Credit James Kinard
Press Release
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SAVE THE DATE 2026 H/PG Golf Open
Thursday, May 21, 2026
The 2026 H/PG Chamber Golf Open will be on May 21, 2026, at the County Club of Petersburg.
Come enjoy a great afternoon featuring the incomparable hospitality of the Country Club of Petersburg, and the professional presentation by the golf committee and chamber staff. To commit now, click the link below.
2026 Golf Open
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DC area Influencer Sunshine SOL and her adorable dogs Sancho and Max visited Hopewell and Prince George early this Fall! Sunshine did a beautiful job highlighting the area.
The reel she published has had over 29 thousand views and the Carousel has over 56 thousand views. That's over 85 thousand times that Hopewell and Prince George area businesses were highlighted on social media.
This was all thanks to Virginia Tourism for providing a grant and to the many community partners who were so hospitable to Sunshine while she was here!
If you haven't seen Sunshine's work, you can view it at Instagram. If you haven't joined the VisitHPG Instagram page, run by the chamber, you can do so here Instagram
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Hopewell's Tourism Economic Impact Report for 2024 shows good growth
Find out more HERE
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Prince George County's Tourism Economic Impact Report shows growth despite hotel closures for remodels.
Find our more HERE
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H/PG Chamber Board Social
The H/PG Chamber Board and staff had a wonderful evening at River City Flower Studio LLC, in their new location on East Broadway We welcomed new board members and celebrating those who are rotating off the board. We also got a sneak peek at the Good Ship Brewery & Eatery in Hopewell.
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Hopewell Rotary Club Membership
The Hopewell Rotary Club is celebrating 102 years in service to the community. With a motto of "Service Above Self" this organization offers leadership training, collegiality, and a connection to Rotarians all over the world. Known for happy dollars, eradication of polio, mandatory attendance, making up meetings by attending other clubs, high school Rotaract Clubs, interesting programs, and corporate membership.
If you are interested in learning more about Rotary membership, please contact Jeff Butler at jeffb3812@gmail.com or 804-247-2616.
There is also a Prince George Rotary Club. Please contact Brian Manning at bmanning@arls.org for information about PG Rotary. Both clubs are active members of the HPG Chamber!
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Chamber Monthly Lunch with Boys2Men at the John Randolph Foundation
During last month's HPG Chamber lunch, business and community leaders gathered at the John Randolph Foundation building for a meeting with a unique twist. Warren McCrickard of Boys to Men Mentoring Network led a discussion modeled after the conversations he regularly has with young people in our community. Participants were asked thought-provoking questions including "what did you want to achieve as a child? and what are you still working on today?" The exercise sparked meaningful self-reflection and created an atmosphere of genuine connection among attendees.
We were also invited to share how we were feeling in the moment. Words like thankful, optimistic and excited were common. Others expressed feeling of being nervous or anxious which added honesty and depth to the conversation. We finished with a "huddle up" symbolizing breaking our energy and taking it out into the world.
Stay tuned for more interactive programs! in 2026 - self-defense, web sites for AI searches, root cause analysis....
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Successful CaRMA Bus Tour
In cooperation with the Fort Gregg Adams Spouses Club, multiple localities as well as SOVA and Chesterfield Chambers, CaRMA hosted the 1st ever military spouses tour of the region.
Spouses from Ft Lee were treated to Coffee from Brew and Blossom, a fashion show, FOLAR trail, Pamplin Park/history highlights and music at the Beacon, lunch at the Keystone Truck & Tractor museum with the Chili Peppers mascot, a windshield tour of Petersburg and dessert and magic at Swift Creek Mill Theatre. It was a fun, beautiful day enjoyed by all!
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Chamber Volunteer Leaders Recognition
At every lunch we will be introducing you to members who go above and beyond to contribute to quality of life here through their company or organization and through their leadership in the chamber. They are community ambassadors helping us all thrive.
Cody Cole - Jordan Point Marina
Cody always helps when asked. His certificate states, "In appreciation for the creation of a destination for locals and tourists to enjoy the river, the wildlife and the amenities at Jordan Point Marina. Also, for always saying "Yes" to marketing collaborations."
Leigh Ann Kiebler - Mueller Builders
Leigh Ann made the 2025 Golf Open even more entertaining for the golfers this year. Her certificate says, "In appreciation for the exceptional hospitality you displayed to the attendees and golfers at the Golf Open!"
Thank you, Cody and Leigh Ann, for all you have done for the chamber. Volunteer leaders are the heart of the HPG chamber. and we have the very best!
| | | | It's the most Wonderful Time of the Year (and the busiest too!) Listed are a few holiday events around the area. For more information on these and other events, go to www.VisitHPG.com | |
Ice Skating is Back in Downtown Hopewell
The Hopewell Ice Skating Rink is open Thursday though Sunday from December 4, 2025 - January 3, 2026.
301 East Randolph Road
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Wreath Making at the Salty Siren
Grab a friend and enjoy an evening of fun and fellowship while learning the basic techniques to create beautiful decorative mesh wreaths.
| | | The Beacon Theatre has a number of amazing events scheduled for the Holiday Season including the Old Dominion Barn Dance and Prince George Native Amy Warthan. | | |
Networking Tip
As you plan for 2026 networking activities join professionals in refining your approach to build trust. Seek ways to help others by determining how your skills, interests, experiences, and connections might apply to solving a problem for someone else. If you are able to help someone you build rapport; and you begin building trust. Trust is the foundation of every relationship. Let's aspire to listen actively, act selectively, grow exponentially.
| Additional Resources for You: | VISITHPG - Growing Tourism=Economic Growth! | | |
CaRMA VA- Military Installations Represent Billions in Economic Impact for our region!
Since February 2024 we have taken the lead in creating our region's first military affairs council. The economic impact of the military to small businesses, tourism, schools, quality of life is important and by working together we can seek federal grants, supported by the Commonwealth of Virginia in alignment with the VA CHAMBER to ensure that Virginia continues to be important to national defense and a preferred home for veterans who start businesses, add value to employers, volunteer in our communities, and grow our economy. Our success in re-opening the parachute drop zone on River Rd., opening the museums to the public, re-launching "host a soldier for the holiday", providing our first-ever military spouses tour of the region, and ensuring a well-attended defense community enclave charrette is just the beginning - and all with volunteer leadership!
| 5&DIME- Collaboration Among Six Localities Means More Road Trippers and Economic Growth in the Region | Please share this newsletter as anyone may subscribe to the newsletter Here. Help build the business climate for the future. | | | | |
