INSIDE THE ISLE NEWSLETTER - DECEMBER 2022

Expand 757 Small Business Loan Program Available for Isle of Wight Businesses

Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Hampton Roads, the local office of the nation’s leading community development investment organization, recently launched the Expand 757 Small Business Loan Program. This program offers 0% interest, no-fee loans to small businesses, with priority consideration to minority-, women-, veteran-, and immigrant-owned small businesses. All repayments are recycled back into the Hampton Roads region creating a sustainable investment tool. The program is funded by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. The Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will provide one-on-one coaching to loan recipients in support of their loan request and usage of funds.

The application portal will remain open until all funds have been expended. See website for program eligibility, loan uses and terms, and required documentation.

For questions about this loan program, email Rosalynn Wolfe, LISC Program Officer

From Farm Field to New Branch Farms

"Where Marriage is Planted and Starts its Growth"

New Branch Farms is a brand-new wedding and event venue located in the Rushmere area of Isle of Wight County. As wedding photographers, owners Wendy and Sam Mills set out to create a venue with lots of natural light and beautiful backdrops. Their 4,000 square-foot, modern, farmhouse-style venue is equipped with a gorgeous bridal suite, casual groom room and full caterer’s kitchen. The venue features a Grand Room with wood beams and six glass overhead doors that open up to 23 beautiful acres of country views. The outdoor ceremony site has a high-heel friendly concrete walkway, and the large wrap-around porch is the perfect place for guests to mingle and enjoy cocktail hour. The venue even has a dog park for furry family members to hang out after the ceremony!

Although the venue specializes in weddings, New Branch Farms was intentionally built to offer a modern and sleek design that can be transformed into any style for any type of event. The venue is equipped with two 75’ wall-mounted monitors for video presentations and a full sound system. It can accommodate corporate meetings, baby showers, family reunions, birthday and anniversary parties, festivals, and so much more. At New Branch Farms, the possibilities are endless!

New Branch Farms is located at 14509 Lawnes Drive, Smithfield, VA 23430. For more information or to schedule a tour, visit www.newbranchfarms.com or call

757-903-5953 or 757-374-2964 and ask for Sam or Wendy. You can also reach them by email at info@newbranchfarms.com.

New Business Licenses - October 2022

New Business Highlights

• Reignbow Smoothie Cafe (Windsor)
• Si Senor Mexican Restaurant (Carrollton)
• Jensen Skin LLC (Smithfield)

See the full list of new September business licenses:

PDF Format (.pdf) or Excel Format (.xlsx)

We extend a warm welcome to all of our new businesses.

Thank you for putting down roots to grow in Isle of Wight County!

Featured Available Property

21 E. Windsor Boulevard (U.S. Route 460)

Commercial building located on 2.92 acres on U.S. Route 460 in the Town of Windsor features a 3,490 square-foot retail/warehouse with an additional 7,000 +/- square-foot warehouse in the rear with a loading dock. Formerly the Farmers Feed & Seed store, it is perfect for retail, office, warehousing and multiple other uses. Additional land available. Excellent location on high traffic count location. For more information contact Dale Scott, Scott & Associates, Inc. Realtors at 757-242-4722 or 757-379-5074. MORE

Search the County's available properties database for more commercial or industrial properties. If you own or represent a commercial property in Isle of Wight County that is available for sale or lease, please CONTACT US, and we will add it to our database.

Check Out the "Library of Things" at Blackwater Regional Library

Have you ever wanted to try out a new hobby without investing in the needed equipment or supplies? Or needed a special cake pan or household gadget for a one-time need and wish there was someplace you could borrow those things from without buying it yourself? Luckily the Blackwater Regional Library's “Library of Things” is here! From cake pans to stud finders, we have you covered!”