INSIDE THE ISLE NEWSLETTER - MAY 2021 |
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WEEK - May 9-15, 2021
Isle of Wight County Economic Development is joining with the Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA), Virginia's only professional organization for economic developers, to mark National Economic Development Week from May 9-15, 2021 to celebrate the positive contributions economic development makes to localities and regions across the commonwealth. Economic Development is a team sport, and we salute the many local, state and regional partners we work with to create a vibrant and strong economy in Isle of Wight County and the region.
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Hamtown Hub Co-Working Space Opens in Smithfield
The Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce celebrated the grand opening of HamTown Hub, a new membership-based, high-tech co-working business center, on Wednesday, April 28th, with a ribbon cutting and open house. The center is designed to accommodate professionals in need of a work space that allows for meetings, training sessions, study groups, or a safe place to conduct your business. The hub is located within the Chamber of Commerce building at 100 N. Main Street, Smithfield. For tours, email chamber@theisle.biz.
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Application portal opened May 3, 2021 (www.sba.gov/restaurants)
- $28B in grant funding available (application open until funds are depleted)
- Covered period is from 2/25/20 to 12/31/21
- Covers anyone/anything serving food except state-owned enterprises, businesses with more than 20 locations, and publicly traded companies
- Previous participation in an SBA-administered COVID-19 program may limit eligibility
- Amount of grant is equal to the amount of pandemic related revenue loss
- Nearly unlimited eligibility for reimbursement
- Grant shall not exceed $10M in aggregate; not more than $5M per location
- $5B set aside for covered entities with less than $500,000 in gross receipts
- Applicants are NOT required to have a DUNS number or SAM registration
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Business License Issuance Up 48% YTD over Last Year
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See the full list of new April business licenses:
We extend a warm welcome to all of our new businesses.
Thank you for putting down roots to grow in Isle of Wight County!
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54 Beans Espresso Bar & Café
Coffee, Conversation and Inspiration
When Chemerre Wells got the keys to her retail storefront in Carrollton in March 2020, she didn’t know that her journey to open a coffee shop and café would be delayed by a pandemic.
The dream began “many moons ago” as a wine bar/restaurant and 54 was the number of wines Wells planned to sell. Fast forward to two years ago when her husband asked if she still had the dream. At that time, the couple was involved in the specialty coffee scene, so the dream became a coffee bar and cafe - 54 Beans. The Carrollton couple realized there was a need for a local coffee shop. After looking in nearby communities, Wells says “the location at Eagle Harbor Shopping Center literally fell in my lap!”
Wells, who was a Government Subcontracts Administrator for 15 years, began training to become a Barista. She partnered with Canvas Coffee House in Newport News to design her own personal blend “The 54”, which is the house coffee. 54 Beans also uses Canvas Coffee’s Espresso blend, cold brew blend and featured single origins.
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Feature Your Business for FREE! |
We know businesses in Isle of Wight County rock, and we want to tell the world. If you'd like to have your business featured in our newsletter and online for FREE, contact us and be prepared to tell your story!
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Isle of Wight Economic Development has been working very closely with the Hampton Roads Alliance and other organizations on the development of an Offshore Wind Supply chain hub. The offshore wind industry is poised for significant growth in the U.S., bringing with it a generational opportunity to create new jobs and grow Virginia’s economy. |
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You're Invited to Attend
Join Nexans and Seaway7 for a virtual Supplier/Subcontractor Engagement Event
Nexans and Seaway7 will present information about their companies, their potential needs for the CVOW Project, and how you can become a supplier/subcontractor for this Project and future projects.
Tuesday, May 18, 2021
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
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To review the information, submit your qualifications, and register to attend.
Click here to sign up for the Hampton Roads Alliance offshore wind newsletter.
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We Want to Hear from Businesses!
Sign Up for ISLE CHAT!
Economic Development wants to learn more about local businesses in order to provide assistance and resources based upon your needs. If you’re interested in expanding or starting a business or have concerns about matters that impact your business operations, we are here to help in reaching your goals and overcoming challenges.
Schedule a free 30-minute video or phone chat with our business specialist, Nicole Talton. Appointments are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Thank you for continuing to nurture your local roots here in Isle of Wight County!
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Free Business Consulting
Do you need help with a business idea, writing a business plan, marketing or maximizing profit? Jim Carroll, Executive Director of the Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will be available to share his expertise with Isle of Wight County business owners by appointment via Zoom on the second Thursday of each month.
Thursday, May 13th
In-person appointments are scheduled to resume starting in June. Request your free, confidential appointment now by calling the Isle of Wight Chamber at 757-357-3502 or email chamber@theisle.biz.
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MOMETRIX E-Library System Offers Test Prep
Blackwater Regional Library, serving Isle of Wight, Southampton, Surry and Sussex Counties and the City of Franklin, has a new online test prep resource. The Mometrix e-library system offers a variety of online practice tests for students including educational and vocational areas, such as teaching, college admissions, English, pre-algebra, nursing, grad school admissions, construction, chemistry, medical, and many, many more.
Go to https://www.blackwaterlib.org/mometrix/ then click the link and enter your library card number. If you don't have a library card, visit any branch or sign up here for a Virtual Library Card to access digital resources.
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FEATURED AVAILABLE PROPERTY
Great commercial potential for this corner parcel on a visible and high traffic corner in Carrollton. Property consists of two parcels: a 5.4-acre corner parcel bordering Route 258 and Campbells Chapel Road and a 14.54-acre interior parcel. There is deeded access to the interior parcel from Route 258 in place. Current zoning is Rural Agricultural Conservation (RAC). Located in a growing residential and commercial corridor.
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ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY
757-356-1962
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