Venture Central Launches to Foster Entrepreneurship
Venture Central, a collaborative project to support regional entrepreneurship, is nearing its official launch, founding partners announced recently. The partners, including the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, the University of Virginia, and the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce, announced several recent milestones in the development of Venture Central, an innovative nonprofit organization. These include the seating of a new Board of Directors, funding from multiple sources to launch the initiative, and plans to open an executive leadership search to staff Venture Central with its first Executive Director. Each of these milestones brings the Venture Central concept closer to an official opening in the coming months. Venture Central’s mission is to serve and strengthen the Central Virginia entrepreneurial community by building and bridging connections, programs, funding, and spaces.
Venture Central has received support from GO (Growth and Opportunity) Virginia a statewide economic development initiative driving regional economic growth by incentivizing collaboration between business, education and local government through grant opportunities identified in regional Growth & Diversification Plans. For further information about Venture Central, visit this LINK.
Downtown Job Center Spotlight
Check out the recent Downtown Job Center Employer Spotlight with feature Employer The IRC! The International Rescue Committee’s Director Harriet Kuhr stopped by to share several job opportunities with me on Facebook Live. Employment opportunities are currently available at both the Charlottesville and Richmond offices. 22 jobs are open and include a Fulltime Operations Coordinator role at both locations and several Caseworker roles. Additionally, the nationwide agency always welcomes volunteers to assist them with carrying out their mission. Links are included for both the agency website and the recent interview.
The International Rescue Committee website
International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Employer Spotlight Interview
https://www.facebook.com/100000668926804/videos/854017265498303/
Charlottesville Ale Trail Hosts Annual "Walk Our City" Event
On Saturday, August 14th at 12pm, the Charlottesville Ale Trail will start its annual “Walk Our City” beer walk to celebrate and support the 6 City-based local craft breweries on the Charlottesville Ale Trail. The walk will start at Champion Brewery and participants can travel the entire 1.5 mile path throughout the day. To buy tickets and see the schedule, click here.
"Mobi on the Mall" Offers Convenient Vaccination Access on the DTM
The City of Charlottesville is working with the Blue Ridge Health District (BRHD) to offer its employees and the public an opportunity to receive vaccinations every week at a convenient location on the Downtown Mall in front of City Hall. BRHD's mobile vaccination unit "Mobi" will be parked in front of the Ting Pavilion every Monday from 1–3 p.m. for any community member interested in receiving the vaccine. The schedule is currently set for 6 weeks but could be extended if vaccinations at that location are consistent.
Return to Earn Program Still Available for Businesses
Last month Governor Northam launched the Return to Earn Grant Program to support small businesses with their post-pandemic hiring needs. Through this initiative, Virginia's local workforce development boards will match up to $500 that a qualifying small business pays directly to a new employee in the form of a hiring bonus. Childcare businesses are not required to match. More information about which specific businesses and employees are eligible is available here. Interested small businesses should contact OED who can help answer questions and refer them to additional resources at the Piedmont Region’s Workforce Development Board.
Upcoming Webinars from CVSBDC
CV SBDC is a team of business and technical experts available to listen, advise and assist entrepreneurs, confidentially and free of charge. They offer 1:1 assistance, connection to curated research, access to technical experts and professionals, and timely events and training.
Reach Customers Online with Google – August 18th at 10:30 am: PREREGISTER
Cyber Awareness Training for Your Business – August 18th at 12:00 pm PREREGISTER
Success through e-Commerce – August 24th at 12:00 pm PREREGISTER
Start Your Business – August 26th 1:00 pm PREREGISTER