Let’s honor and celebrate the achievements, struggles, and powerful stories of Black people throughout history. At CV SBDC, we honor the economic and cultural impacts of black-owned businesses on our community.

Show your support by shopping with local, black-owned businesses this month and every month.

SMALL BUSINESS NEWS

New Ruling on Independent Contractors

On January 10, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a final rule, effective March 11, 2024, announced revising the Department's guidance on how to analyze who is an employee or independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Employers must apply the six factor test to analyze employee or independent contractor status under the FLSA.

The new test includes six factors:

• The degree to which the employer controls how the work is done
• The worker’s opportunity for profit or loss
• The amount of skill and initiative required for the work
• The degree of permanence of the working relationship
• The worker’s investment in equipment or materials required for the task
• The extent to which the service rendered is an integral part of the employer’s business.

Learn more with this Small Entity Compliance Guide.

IRS Webinar on 2023 From 1099-K

The IRS posted a free webinar of 2023 Form 1099-K for taxpayers who receive income reported on Form 1099-K, including those who often use popular payment apps and online marketplaces.

The webinar covers topics, including:

• Friends and family transactions
• How to report 1099-K amounts on a 2023 return
• Items that remained the same during 2023 and what the IRS plans to change for 2024.

The webinar also includes a question-and-answer session, closed-captioning, and a full transcript.

Further Action to Help PPP and COVID EIDL Borrowers

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced expanded flexibility and accommodations for COVID EIDL and PPP borrowers to help bring them into compliance and avoid the repercussions of defaulting on a government loan. Learn more here.

This short survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete and your response will

impact the future of our entrepreneur ecosystem.

Your response will influence how resources are utilized to support small businesses.

Your answers are important and needed.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Grants for Agricultural Producers

The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps agricultural producers enter value-added activities to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities, and increase producer income. Applications are due April 11, 2024.

Attend the Value-Added Producer Grant Workshop on February 7th at 2pm to learn more.

Marketing and Special Events Grants

Virginia Tourism Corporation will be opening three grant opportunities on Thursday, February 8, 2024. These are the Marketing Leverage Program, Special Events and Festivals Program, and the DMO Marketing Program. 

Attend the Virginia Tourism Grant Webinar on February 7th at 10am or 2pm to learn more.

Micro Loans Available



Community Investment Collaborative (CIC) offers micro loans of up to $50,000. Various types of loans are available to meet the needs of your start up or small business. Learn more about available loan options here.

All programs of the Virginia SBDC are open to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.

This event is free to attend and registration is not required.

Feel free to bring your lunch and come prepared to learn!

Are you an early-stage innovative entrepreneur?

Charlottesville Angel Network (CAN) and Virginia Small Business Development Center (VSBDC) have joined forces to help you polish your pitch presentation. Apply for an opportunity to practice your pitch and receive actionable feedback from accredited angel investors. Apply by February 29th for consideration to pitch on March 7th.

Webinars from the Virginia SBDC Network

Access the CVSBDC Events Calendar and 

statewide training offerings for even more learning!

Charlottesville Entrepreneurs + Espresso (C-E2)

Feb 20 | 8 AM - 10 AM

In Person (Charlottesville)

Attend this monthly series to network with entrepreneurs at all stages, hear from Heather Kunk, Board Member of Bennett’s Village, and learn lessons from Bill Lanzana, Co-Founder of Forward Financial Intelligence.

Cultivate Your Agribusiness Conference

Feb 21 | 8 AM - 1 PM

In Person (Laurel Ridge Community College Corron building Middletown, VA)

Explore financial and marketing best practices, considerations for protecting your business, and agritourism opportunities. This event is offered free of charge for aspiring and established agribusinesses and agricultural support partners.

CWIT - Ambitious Women in Tech

Feb 22 | 5:30 PM - 7 PM

In Person (Charlottesville)

Join Charlottesville Women in Tech for an exciting in-person panel event celebrating the achievements of women in tech! This event is a unique opportunity to hear from and connect with like-minded individuals and gain inspiration from successful women in the industry.

The Future of Talent Series

In Person (Charlottesville)

• Feb 12 - 10 Engagement Strategies to Improve Your Workplace
• Feb 21 - Recruitment Viewed from All Perspectives
• Mar 20 - The Future of Work

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.

Meet With Us

The Virginia SBDC Network is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, George Mason University‐Mason Enterprise, and local host institutions. The Virginia SBDC is nationally accredited by America’s SBDC.

All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. Business owners can access the services of their nearest SBDC at VirginiaSBDC.org.