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, and the training culminates in a group of finalists pitching their ideas to a panel of judges, with winners receiving grant funding and support services from the community to kick-start their new venture. A CBL program is a key building block in a coordinated, comprehensive, and sustainable entrepreneurial eco-system of community-based entrepreneurs and small businesses at all stages of life. 

The following communities were named 2022 CBL grant recipients:

City of Danville / River District Association | RDA Dream Launch Entrepreneurship Program | $90,000

City of Martinsville / Uptown Partnership | Uptown Partnership Community Business Launch | $90,000

Town of Bedford | Town of Bedford Business Launch | $65,000

City of Bristol / Believe In Bristol | Bristol Community Business Launch | $60,000

Town of Big Stone Gap | Wood Avenue Revitalization | $45,000

City of Hopewell / Hopewell Downtown Partnership | Homegrown for Hopewell | $45,000

Town of Scottsville | Scottsville Community Business Launch | $40,000

Downtown Suffolk Community Business Launch