The Town of Altavista’s Spark Innovation Center recently completed their Boost Your Business (BYB) series, which strengthened local entrepreneurs across Central Virginia. The series included six total cohorts that participated in targeted business essential training. Each four-week session focused on a specific topic such as marketing, finance, leadership development, and human resources.
Due to high demand, capacity for each session was increased from 12 to 18 participants, and all cohorts reached full capacity. While BYB was targeted to downtown Altavista businesses, it drew participants from Appomattox County, Campbell County, City of Lynchburg, and Bedford County. And, several participants took advantage of multiple cohorts, further strengthening the program’s impact.
The BYB series was supported by a $57,000 Virginia Business District Resurgence Grant (VBDRG) from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). The series served 21 unique businesses and led to measurable outcomes including job and business creation, business expansion, increased foot traffic, and increased sales and revenue.
“The Boost Your Business program has been a game-changer for our local business community, empowering entrepreneurs with essential skills and fostering substantial job growth and development across the region. Thanks to the generous support from the DHCD, we’ve been able to create valuable opportunities for businesses to expand and thrive, helping turn ideas into impactful enterprises. We’re grateful for DHCD’s partnership and its commitment to sustainable economic growth in our area.”
– Autumn Evans, Spark Innovation Center’s Business & Community Engagement Coordinator
The Spark Innovation Center is a co-working space that supports small businesses and work from home employees in the region by providing high-speed internet, individual offices, conference rooms, a makerspace, and business coaching.
By strengthening Altavista’s (and the surrounding area’s) businesses, BYB has made the area more attractive to residents and visitors—adding sustainability to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and creating a more vibrant community.
Photo credit: Spark Innovation Center
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