The Community Business Launch (CBL) is a place-based entrepreneurial development strategy that fills a critical mass of vacant storefronts with expansion or start-up ventures. Local CBL programs train entrepreneurs, creatives, and small business owners about business planning practices, culminating in a group of finalists pitching their ideas to a panel of judges, with winners receiving … More FY2022 Community Business Launch Grant Application Deadline Extended

Recently, Michigan-based developer, Jenifer Acosta, published an article, “Choosing to Redevelop a Vacant Building,” via Proud Places where she unveils the challenges associated with adaptive reuse and emotionally describes the pure joy felt after transforming a vacant property, bringing new life to an abandoned space in one’s community. Apart from sharing redevelopment truths and recounting … More 10 Things to Consider When Redeveloping a Vacant Building in Your Community

Educational Webinar: During the month of March, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) welcomed Phil Eich (pictured left), founder of Storyville Social, to demonstrate how storytelling strengthens relationships between people, connects us to our past and future and cultivates pride in one’s place. Eich discussed how to combine the art of storytelling … More CCV Series: March 2021 Recap & Additional Resources

Annually, the Tom Tom Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that brings people together to celebrate the creativity and entrepreneurship of Charlottesville, Virginia, encourages talented artists and designers to submit their designs to transform a 35′ clean diesel public transit CAT bus and JAUNT bus into moving murals. The City Art Bus Competition draws whimsical and … More Reimagining Everyday Transit as a Canvas for Public Art

Now more than ever, random acts of kindness are keeping people’s spirits up during the novel coronavirus pandemic, and there’s a fantastic example of such efforts taking place in downtown Fredericksburg, Virginia at Italian Station, a local bakery and cafe. In February, the small business launched a pay-it-forward initiative to have patrons cover coffee purchases … More Paying It Forward, One Cup of Coffee at a Time

In February, the UVA Institute for Engagement & Negotiation in partnership with Governor Ralph Northam and his administration hosted a Summit on Equitable Collaboration. Over the course of two days, experienced professionals and leaders from across the commonwealth met to discuss and share their experiences increasing collaboration within a variety of fields. This Summit was … More Towards a More Inclusive and Equitable Commonwealth

Excitingly, the Small Business Administration (SBA) has two new targeted grant programs scheduled to open during April. The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant and Restaurant Revitalization Fund will be open to only eligible shuttered venues and restaurants. The Virginia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will host two webinars to review grant details and guidelines, and we … More BREAKING NEWS: Register Today for American Rescue Plan Information Webinars