Category: Entrepreneurs

Autonomous Transit Shuttle Service to Launch in Crozet

November 27, 2018

The Downtown Crozet Initiative, a DHCD Commercial District Affiliate community organization, is embracing cutting-edge technology to help make visiting downtown a convenient, zero-emission experience, shuttling customers from a parking area into the commercial core.  While it may sound more Jetsons than Main Street, this is the real deal. Crozet’s Perrone Robotics, Inc., JAUNT, Inc. and … More Autonomous Transit Shuttle Service to Launch in Crozet

Makerspaces: Coworking spaces with Cool Stuff

November 1, 2018

Makerspaces, much like coworking spaces, are on the rise in the United States. There are now over 500 such spaces across the country, and that number is expected to continue to grow. They can be located in schools, libraries, community centers or as their own for-profit or nonprofit organizations. Makerspaces are basically shared working spaces … More Makerspaces: Coworking spaces with Cool Stuff

Recognizing the Hard Work on Main Street: Sandwich Sampler Competition

October 9, 2018

At the recent 2018 Downtown Intersections in Harrisonburg, we continued the tradition of acknowledging outstanding achievements in comprehensive downtown revitalization efforts through Merit Awards.  They recognize the hard work, dedication and success of Virginia’s Main Street communities and their achievements across the four point of the Main Street Approach®.  This is the third in a … More Recognizing the Hard Work on Main Street: Sandwich Sampler Competition

Accelerators: Taking Businesses to the Next Level

September 19, 2018

There is much confusion about the difference between incubators and accelerators, as the prevalence of both types of spaces has dramatically increased over the past 10 years. While both may provide entrepreneurs with similar services such as office space, capital, mentorship and other resources, there are several differences between the two. Incubators generally do not … More Accelerators: Taking Businesses to the Next Level

Recognizing the Hard Work on Main Street: CenterFuse Co-working

September 6, 2018

At the recent 2018 Downtown Intersections in Harrisonburg, we continued our tradition of acknowledging outstanding achievements in comprehensive downtown revitalization efforts through Merit Awards. They recognize the hard work, dedication and success of Virginia’s Main Street communities and their achievements across the four points of the Main Street Approach®.  This is the first of a … More Recognizing the Hard Work on Main Street: CenterFuse Co-working

Incubators: Hatching Ideas into Businesses

August 13, 2018

Many new entrepreneurs find the process of growing their business as a lonely trek that takes more work than anticipated. Over the past few years, business incubators have helped these entrepreneurs grow and scale their businesses by providing support such as office space, training, mentorship, networking and even financing, in some cases. Incubators can be … More Incubators: Hatching Ideas into Businesses

Experiences that Bring Customers Back!

August 2, 2018

We’ve heard from several communities across the commonwealth that improving downtown hospitality is a high priority in making their downtowns a destination! With help from the Virginia Tourism Corporation, DHCD has put together a series of 20 workshops across the state called Delivering Memorable Experiences Downtown, which aims to strengthen business hospitality to provide an … More Experiences that Bring Customers Back!

What’s in a Name? The Different Types of Shared Work Spaces

July 13, 2018

We’ve all heard buzzwords such as incubators, co-working spaces and maker spaces. As the number of people working in the “gig” economy continues to grow, so will the places that support that industry. But what’s the difference in these spaces, and what do they provide not only to the entrepreneurs that use them, but the … More What’s in a Name? The Different Types of Shared Work Spaces

Opportunity SWVA pilots Kiva loan strategy

May 29, 2018

Community development partners across Southwest Virginia are piloting the use of the Kiva crowdfunding loan platform to help small businesses expand and add jobs. Opportunity SWVA, the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem collaborative identified five businesses in need of small loans. Over the next two weeks, the businesses are working to raise a total of $43,000 in … More Opportunity SWVA pilots Kiva loan strategy