Professional Development Newsletter

February 26, 2024

Member Spotlight:

2024 New and Renewing Members

Registration closes today, Monday, March 4th! We hope you will join us!

SWVA Manufacturing Talent Pathways Initiative

- Seeking Input from Manufacturers!!

The Appalachian Council for Innovation, in Partnership with SVAM and GENEDGE, was recently awarded a GO Virginia grant to identify talent gaps and areas of improvement between educators and advanced manufacturers. This grant will collect and analyze data from educators and advanced manufacturers to identify talent pathways that can be developed and focused on, to ensure that potential employees are entering the workforce with the necessary skill sets needed most by advanced manufacturers.

Southwest Virginia manufacturers are being asked to submit their input to assist in a project to help identify talent pathways within the K-12 to college system to support careers in manufacturing.

To assist with the task of developing a comprehensive talent pathway analysis, we would greatly appreciate it if you would be willing to complete this survey. We ask that only one person per company completes the survey. If you're not the best person to provide this information for your company, please share this with that person.

In addition to this survey, be on the lookout for opportunities to participate in a series of roundtables where we will dive into what is working and what needs improvement regarding Advanced Manufacturing businesses needs related to employee and future employee talent pathways.

Survey completers will be have their name entered into a drawing for prizes as a thank you for your time.

Submit responses no later than March 13th.

Small Business Resources

Virginia Tourism Corporation is opening the Marketing Leverage Program, DMO Marketing Program, and the Special Events & Festivals Program grants on February 8. There are some changes to these programs. Interested applicants may sign up to attend a webinar and/or find out more information on these programs through the link below.

Community Business Launch - grants 2024

Community Business Launch (CBL) is a program that is designed to assist communities in developing an asset based small business development strategy.   The grant funds will assist the selected communities in developing their future strategies and assist in the open

Eligible Activity Type: Community Development, Economic Development

GRANTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

ARC utilizes funds allocated by Congress to support economic and community development in the region through grants. Explore the following funding opportunities by clicking on each to find out more.

Area Development Program - ARC’s Area Development program relies on a flexible “bottom up” approach to economic development, empowering Appalachian communities to work with their state governments to design impactful investment opportunities supporting our mission and investment priorities.

Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE) - A new ARC initiative that aims to drive large-scale, regional economic transformation through multi-state collaborative projects across Appalachia. 

 Investments Supporting Partnerships In Recovery Ecosystems (INSPIRE) - This Initiative addresses the substance use disorder (SUD) crisis across Appalachia by creating or expanding a recovery ecosystem that will lead to workforce entry or re-entry. 

Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) - This Initiative targets federal resources to help communities and regions that have been affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries due to the changing economics of America’s energy production.

The American Red Cross is excited to introduce a comprehensive suite of free Emergency Preparedness programs designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and resources to face unexpected events confidently. 

1. Prepare with Pedro: Join Pedro the Penguin on an engaging and educational adventure to learn essential emergency preparedness skills. From creating a family emergency plan to practicing an at-home fire drill, Pedro will guide your Pre-K through 2^nd grade students in staying ready for unexpected events.  
2. The Pillowcase Project: Transform a simple pillowcase into a powerful tool for disaster preparedness! Our interactive program teaches 3^rd through 5^th grade students how to stay safe during emergencies through engaging activities and discussions. They'll learn important skills like creating an emergency kit and developing an evacuation plan.  
3. Be Red Cross Ready: Take control of your safety with Be Red Cross Ready. This program equips individuals and families with the knowledge and resources they need to face emergencies confidently. Learn about emergency alerts, evacuation plans, and how to create a comprehensive emergency kit tailored to your specific needs.  
4. Ready Rating: Assess and enhance your organization's readiness with Ready Rating. We provide businesses, schools, and community organizations with valuable tools to evaluate and improve their emergency preparedness plans. Gain peace of mind knowing you're well-prepared to protect your staff, students, and community.  
5. Hands Only CPR: Learn a lifesaving technique that anyone can do! Hands Only CPR teaches you the essentials of performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation without mouth-to-mouth breaths. By participating in this program, your employees/students will gain the confidence and skills needed to potentially save a life during a cardiac emergency.  

By engaging with our Emergency Preparedness programs, your organization can foster a culture of safety, empower individuals with life-saving skills, and enhance your overall resilience in the face of emergencies. 

Schedule a presentation today by completing our request form here. To learn more about how these FREE programs can benefit your business/organization, please reach out to us at PrepareVAR@redcross.org. Together, let's create a safer future for your employees, students, and community! 

Continuing Education

Patent Basics

February 27 | Noon EST – 1:00 PM EST

This webinar will cover the basic facts about patents. We will explore the different types of patents, including utility, design, and plant. We will define the difference and use of both provisional patent applications and non-provisional patent applications. Further, we will discuss the process of patent prosecution, the role of the U.S. patent examiner and what to expect when working with the USPTO.

Information regarding a number of patent prosecution programs and initiatives available to applicants will also be provided.

Speaker: Tong Guo, Patent Examiner, USPTO

Webinar presented in collaboration with the United States Patent and Trademark Office

Register

The RFP: Who? What? When?

February 27 | Noon EST – 1:30 PM EST

Many bid requests are written by different people, with different knowledge and interests, with no two bid requests exactly the same. To be successful in your bid submission you should follow the organizational priority set by those who manage the evaluation process.

This training will outline the bid request structure for major competitive and negotiated procurements to simplify proposal preparation and evaluation for offerors, contractors, and contract administrators. Based on the RFP, you will successfully develop a proposal in accordance with the Government instructions and expectations.

Training Objectives:

• Understand the solicitation and the importance of writing proposals.
• Identify the foundational sections of a proposal by using them as the organizational building blocks in proposal and templates.
• Analyze Sections C,H, L, and M of a Request for Proposal (RFP) and identify requirements, evaluation criteria, and technical support needed to be compliant



Speaker(s): Markino Ross, the Managing Member of AIA Consulting LLC a Small, Micro, Women Owned, Minority Owned business, provides Proposal Management Services and Proposal Training to Government contractors.

Register

Federal Contracting: Understanding the HUBZone Certification Program

February 29 | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM EST

A Virginia APEX Accelerator Webinar

Why Get HUBZone Certified?

As a small business, it is important for you to understand current requirements of the HUBZone Program and who is eligible to obtain certification, according to regulations in the Title 13 CFR, and FAR Subpart 1913.

This class is a review and explanation of said requirements so that if your business is eligible then you can use this knowledge to obtain your fair share of contracting opportunities.

Instructor: Lisa Powell worked for the U.S. Small Business Administration at the Connecticut District Office from 1998 to 2019 as an Economic Development Specialist monitoring the HUBZone and 8(a) portfolios for the local office before joining the Virginia APEX Accelerator as a Procurement Counselor in 2021.

Register

Bet 5: Money & Recordkeeping

February 29 | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM EST | Fee: $15.00 | Session 5 of 5

BET 5: Money & Recordkeeping

In this interactive session, we will share sources of capital, establishing credit, and strategies for success in record keeping and cash flow management. We help you with tips and tricks in recordkeeping, as well as accounting language, giving you tools to help you sleep at night knowing you are:

1. making money
2. can pay your bills and
3. will be able to access additional capital when you need it.

HYBRID event In person at The Stanardsville PVCC Center (222 Main St, Stanardsville) or online via Zoom

Register

A Mind for Business: Making Strategy Part of Your Skillset

March 6 | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM EST

Having a "mind for business" isn't inherent -- it CAN be taught!

Learn what it means to think strategically for your business, and methods for carrying out strategic planning, thinking, and decision-making.

Post-workshop, registrants will receive a free digital workbook for strategic decision-making, a copy of the slides from the webinar (covering decision-making as well as planning and methods for thinking strategically), and access to a recording of the webinar minus the live Q & A section at the end.

Register

First Thursdays with the SBA: Market Research w/ Census data and other free tools

March 7 | Noon EST – 1:00 PM EST

Grab your lunch and join us the first Thursday of each month to learn more about SBA programs and network with other small business owners.

Market research is an integral step in creating your business plan, identifying your competition, and identifying your market. In this workshop we will cover free resources to find market research data using the following databases:

• Census Business Builder
• International Trade Data
• Trade Group Data
• ESRI

Speaker(s): Martin Short, Lead Economic Development Specialist & Public Information Officer

Food Business 101 - In-Person ONLY

March 11| 10:00 AM EST | Fee: $60.00 | Register

How to Manage Your WordPress Website

March 12 | Noon EST | Digital Bootcamp Series| Register

Federal Contracting: Veteran Certifications

March 14| 1:00 PM EST | A Virginia APEX Accelerator Webinar| Register

Insuring Your Craft Beverage Business

March 19| 11:00 AM EST | Craft Beverage Conversations Series| Register

GovCon 101: HubZone

March 20 | Noon EST | Register

Cyber Incidence Response Planning:

Building Resilience for Small Businesses

March 21| 12:30 PM EST | Register

Trademark Basics

March 28 | Noon EST | Presented in collaboration with the USPTO | Register

SVAM will be continuing its Supervisor Training series with 5 training opportunities, from February through May.

• Each of these trainings will be virtual.
• These trainings are free for SVAM member companies. The fee is $25 per person, for non-member companies.
• There is no attendee limit.

 How to Conduct Performance Evaluations

March 28th

1:00pm - 2:00pm

Click here for more information and to register.

 Generations in the Workplace

April 25th

1:00 pm - 2:00pm

Click here for more information and to register.

 From Peer to Leader

May 23rd

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Click here for more information and to register.

Looking for free business courses? Whether you're thinking about starting a small business or expanding your current one, SBA’s digital learning platform has everything you need to educate yourself on entrepreneurial best practices.

Learn more  

SBA helps small businesses get funding by setting guidelines for loans and reducing lender risk. SBA-backed loans make it easier for small businesses to get the funding they need. Use Lender Match to find SBA lenders near you.

Learn more

Job Board

Marion Automotive Group



Marion Automotive Group has an immediate opening in our Parts Department. This counter person will handle the over-the-counter, online, wholesale, warranty, and internal sales. We offer competitive wages, Monday through Friday 40-hour work week.

Apply in-person during normal business hours

The Lincoln Theatre



Non-Profit Executive Director

See job on LinkedIn

Mount Rogers Community Services

Day Services Supervisor 1

Crisis Counselor II

Peer Recovery Specialist

More Jobs...

Hungry Mother State Park:

Food Service Ranger

Apply here

Volunteer Opportunities

Friends of Whitetop is looking for volunteers! Opportunities include greet visitors, help keep the Station clean, sell merchandise, and more. To learn more, click here.

Do you have a job opening, volunteer opportunity, community resource, or educational opportunity to add to the Professional Development Newsletter? Let us know! Click here to contact the Chamber of Commerce.