The Virginia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) represents the most extensive business development program in the commonwealth, providing professional business counseling, training and business resources to help grow and strengthen businesses across the state. Today, as small businesses consider reopening and/or planning to transition to the “new normal,” the Virginia SBDC strongly encourages business owners to examine the Review, Reopen and Recover Checklist.

While determining next steps, Virginia SBDC seeks to help guide small businesses through important questions as they reimagine operations and achieve success during and/or subsequent to the public health emergency. The aforementioned checklist helps businesses review numerous assessments that highlight important considerations before deciding to reopen, explore varying factors that influence one’s ability to reopen, and walk through decisions to be made during recovery, planning for the future. It also supplies guidance for specific industries, such as restaurants, retail, childcare and more. 

“Reopening a business under current circumstances requires owners to make a careful analysis of their situation, capabilities and goals. They must recognize how the market and customer has changed, and the same applies to businesses that were able to continue operations.” – Jody Keenan, State Director, Virginia SBDC

Ideally, while business owners can use them by themselves, these recommendations are designed to be reviewed in collaboration with an expert business consultant through one’s local SBDC office. As noted on their website, Virginia SBDC staff will be working remotley, but they are still able to offer confidential, no-cost, technical assistance virtually by connecting with business owners via phone or web conferencing. Their consultations have a solid track record of helping business owners, and SBDC staff maintains the ability to also share contacts in one’s local area that can help businesses make opportune connections.