INITIATIVES

Funded by a grant from the Thompson Charitable Foundation, the Southwest Virginia Workforce Development Board is offering technical assistance to small businesses in Buchanan and Tazewell Counties: areas that have been negatively impacted by the downturn in the coal economy. With the aim of increasing sales and/or redirecting cost savings toward business expansion, the Small Business Expansion Empowerment (S-BEE) Initiative will focus on the following areas of assistance (with other assistance considered on a case-by-case basis):

• Marketing, with primary emphasis on development and coordination of websites, multiple social media platforms, and other online channels, but also including traditional marketing strategies, such as professional signage or newspaper/radio advertising.
• Accounting practices, including bookkeeping and point-of-sale software for improved cash flow and inventory management.
• Onboarding processes, management practices, human resources, and retention strategies.
• Lean Six Sigma and/or other incumbent worker training.
  
  

To qualify, a small business should (1) complete the S-BEE Initiative application and provide company demographics, description of assistance requested, number of employees impacted, and projected outcomes, (2) agree to participate in sector partnerships (e.g., manufacturing, information technology, tourism/outdoor recreation, health care, etc.) and other business roundtable events, and (3) have current Chamber of Commerce membership status as evidence of community commitment.