Continuing a Commitment to our Small Business Community

 In addition to partnering with statewide banks to offer businesses creative and flexible financing programs through proactive entities such as the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, the Commonwealth has been on the road educating businesses on how to take their companies to the next level, and encouraging entrepreneurs to take those apprehensive first steps to starting their own business.

The Virginia Department of Business Assistance (VDBA) has implemented several programs to support the success of small businesses. VDBA is partnering with statewide business leaders and localities to offer Entrepreneur Express, a series of workshops designed to provide information on how to start and operate a business, grow an existing business, assess marketing strategies, access capital and utilize available resources. Another VDBA provision provides additional outreach to encourage small, woman and minority-owned (SWaM) to participate in one of the states longest standing economic development incentives the Virginia Jobs Investment Program that provides eligible businesses with recruiting, training, consulting services and funding.

However, one of the most significant initiatives has been educating Virginias small business owners about how to be successful in doing business with the Commonwealth.

In 2004, a disparity study determined that the Commonwealths percentage of spending with SWaM businesses was one of the lowest in the country. Because I am committed to rectifying the findings of that study, last fall I signed Executive Order 33 assuring that all business owners have equal opportunity to share in state procurement. Although we still have a long way to go, I am proud of how quickly this initiative has been implemented in agencies throughout the Commonwealth.

For small businesses to sell goods and services to the state, they must be bona fide small businesses which means they must be certified as such. In the last two years, the Virginia Department of Minority Business Enterprise (DMBE) has more than tripled the vendor pool of SWaM certified businesses from 4,000 to over 13,000. This increase in certification has given the Commonwealths procurement professionals the opportunity to show an impressive improvement in their utilization of SWaM firms. In the last year alone, the state increased spending with SWaM firms by more than $178 million. VDBA, DMBE, the Virginia Department of General Services and various other agencies have made educating small business owners about state procurement requirements a priority. In the past year, more than 12,000 businesses have been trained on certification, eVA (the states electronic procurement system) registration and mandatory state spending.

We rely on small businesses to offer a stable and diverse economy, therefore the results of these initiatives are of utmost importance to this administration. It will not only hold accountable those with decision making authority, but will ensure Virginias small businesses continue to thrive.

 Regards,

 Timothy M. Kaine

Governor of Virginia

 

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Directors Corner

In the Commonwealth of Virginia, as spring slides into summer, one fiscal year ends and another begins. VDBA endedand beganboth the seasons and the financial calendar on a high note.

The final days of spring saw two of our most successful local events ever: Central Virginia Business Resource Day on June 8th and Advanced Techniques in State Procurement on the 14th. Resource Day, held at the beautiful Science Museum of Virginia, and Advanced Techniques, at the Prince William Campus of George Mason University (GMU), were extremely well-attended. The energy level of networking and training at both venues was remarkable. VDBA staffers Dave Fuller at the Science Museum and Tiffany Taylor-Minor at GMU worked with local partners to plan and execute these two sessions flawlessly, benefiting vendors and attendees alike.

VDBA ushered in the first full day of summer with Business on the Beach, a major conference focusing on small business success and procurement opportunities held June 22nd at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. The City of Virginia Beach Economic Development Office, in cooperation with the Virginia Beach Minority Business Council, co-sponsored this hugely successful event. Over 400 attendees took part in 10 break-out training sessions and networked with 40 exhibitors. Planning and organizing this event was a massive effort undertaken by a VDBA committee.

For all seasons, and through this calendar year and fiscal year, were going to continue to host events that provide valuable business and procurement training, as well as offer ample opportunities to network with resource providers, agency purchasing officials, and other small businesses. Stay tuned, too, for upcoming announcements about an expansion of the STAR$ program. Im proud that we are working on so many fronts to assist small businesses.

Best wishes for continued success,

Louisa

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Virginia named Best State for Business by Forbes.com for Second Year

Governor Kaine announced that Virginia again led the nation in Forbes.coms Best States for Business ranking. In its second year, the review examines multiple objective measurements, including business cost, regulatory climate, quality of the workforce, and economic growth. Forbes.com is the official Internet site of the Forbes family of business publications. For the Governors full release, click here.

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virginia one-stop: improving the Business start-up process

The Commonwealth is developing a one-stop website where start-up businesses can ultimately fill out just one form to incorporate, apply for a local business license, register for required professional licenses or permits, and establish a tax account. Team members from VDBA comprise a large part of the design team and are committed to streamlining a process that can be frustrating and time-consuming for the entrepreneur freeing them to spend more time building the capacity of their enterprises. The project will be completed in stages.

Entrepreneurs seeking to start a business in Virginia benefit from relatively simplistic requirements with few licenses, permits and registrations. One obstacle that entrepreneurs face, however, is assessing which requirements apply to them. Every prerequisite is handled by an individual agency or office. For example, a start-up corporation must separately register using a paper or online form with the State Corporation Commission (SCC), the Department of Taxation, the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (if applicable) and the Department of Minority Business Enterprise.

Allowing a business the opportunity to register for all required forms in one place would greatly improve the customer experience in Virginia. Instead of making four or more phone calls, or reviewing four or more websites, the customer would enter all information and get all questions answered from a single service provider which would then forward required registrations to the appropriate agencies.

The Virginia One-Stop promises a win-win for both citizens accessing Commonwealth business services and the agencies that seek to provide first-class customer service. For state agencies, the One-Stop will improve efficiency by submitting applications to the agency that are complete and correct in a uniform format. There is the potential for less paperwork and greater use of online tools.

Several other states, including Utah and South Carolina, have successfully implemented the one-stop concept with minimal transition issues and positive reviews from customers.

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partneringCORNER

Virginia Chamber of Commerce Presents Virginia: Catalyst of Commerce for Four Centuries

Paul A. Levengood, Author and Program Director for the Reynolds Business History Center at the Virginia Historical Society, worked with the Virginia Chamber of Commerce to create Virginia: Catalyst of Commerce for Four Centuries, a coffee table book honoring the 400th Anniversary of the founding of Jamestown.

Through a partnership with the Chamber, VDBA was able to offer Dr. Levengoods book as a gift to the guests of Governor Kaines Business Appreciation Week kick-off Breakfast on May 14th.

With beautiful photography and skillful writing, this full-color, hardbound volume portrays Virginias fascinating entrepreneurial history from the colonists stepping ashore at Jamestown to todays vibrant and diverse economy recently named number one in the nation. Readers will travel through 400 years of innovation, courage and bold economic achievements in agriculture, manufacturing, transportation and technology that helped lay the groundwork for our nation.

The book also paints a broad brush portrait of Virginias robust diversity and showcases many of the dynamic business organizations whose spirit, passion and ingenuity ensure Virginias position as a leader in the global economy for years
to come.

This memorable commemoration is a proud testament of the determination that sparked Virginias founding as the first commercial enterprise of the New World and the many accomplishments through the centuries that have made it the spectacular place it is today. It is the perfect gift for business associates, prospect, employees, family and friends. For more information, visit the Chamber website or call Cyndi Miracle at 804-237-1466.

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EDCORNER

Business and Economic Development Leaders Partner to Offer Entrepreneur Express Workshops

VDBA is expanding its successful Entrepreneur Express: Moving Your Business Forward, a free workshop designed to provide information about available business resources and deliver practical, hands-on training covering key elements of business practice. VDBA and several key partners have offered this series throughout Southwest Virginia for the past year, but will begin coordinating workshops statewide as part of strategic economic development efforts to increase support of entrepreneurship in the Commonwealth. Workshop segments include information on how to start and operate a business, growing an existing business, marketing strategies, financing and available resources.

This series has had incredible support from Virginia business leaders and economic developers. The objective of these workshops is to identify potential entrepreneurs, connect them to resources and encourage them to take the next step in the development of their business.

Core partners include statewide economic development offices, the Virginia Tourism Corporation, Virginia Cooperative Extension, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, SCORE, the Virginia Economic Developers Association, the Virginia Business Incubator Association, the Virginia Community College System and the Virginia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. Nearly 400 entrepreneurs have attended more than 13 workshops since October 2006. For more information, visit www.vastartup.org.

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Entrepreneur Express Workshops:

Halifax - July 19

Brunswick - August 7

Washington County - August 16

New River Valley - September 13

Floyd County - September 27

Roanoke Valley - October 5

Wise County/City of Norton - October 17

Patrick County - November 8

Dickenson County - December 6

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jobs investment program reaches out to swaMs

In an effort to support the success of small, woman and minority-owned (SWaM) businesses in the Commonwealth, Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP) of the Virginia Department of Business Assistance (VDBA) is targeting these companies to offer the programs training, recruiting and funding resources at no cost.

With 98 percent of Virginias businesses designated as small having fewer than 250 employees, VJIP recognizes that there is an increasing demand for a qualified, well-trained workforce. This initiative will assist the states small businesses in making better hiring and management decisions that lead to increased productivity and growth.

Within the last few years, VJIP has reduced the eligibility requirements for these programs to make it feasible for small businesses to participate, said SWaM Program Manager Irby Jones. Now it is a matter of making sure SWaM businesses are aware of this resource.

Like other VDBA programs, VJIP has developed this service to present organizational and human resource development workshops for qualified applicants to fill a niche not offered by other business service providers.

VJIP offers customized recruiting and training to companies creating new jobs in business sectors including manufacturing, distribution centers, corporate headquarters for companies with multiple facilities, inbound call centers, information technology services and research and development facilities. Companies must create a minimum of five new jobs within the first year, make a minimum of $100,000 in new capital investment and offer an entry-level wage rate of at least $10 per hour. For details and more specific eligibility requirements, contact Irby Jones at (804) 371-0467 or e-mail irby.jones@vdba.virginia.gov. For more information on the Virginia Department of Assistance and the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, visit www.vdba.virginia.gov.

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virginia emergency management offers guide for businesses

All businesses are susceptible to emergency situations. Whether its a hurricane or a bomb threat, terrorist activity or a chemical spill - businesses and their employees need to be prepared. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) offers a tool to help businesses prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters. It explains types of emergencies and the problems they pose; provides information on how to prepare for them and how to recover from them; and helps business owners put it all together in an emergency preparedness plan.

For an online version of the guide, visit www.vaemergency.com.

Businesses interested in receiving copies can contact the VDEM Public Affairs Office at pio@vdem.virginia.gov or (804) 897-6510.

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vma to conduct skilled workforce analysis

In an effort to clearly define the gap between supply and demand of skilled trades workers and manufacturing technicians, Governor Kaine and the Virginia Manufacturers Association (VMA) are requesting that various companies around the Commonwealth participate in the Virginia Skilled Trades Gap Analysis Project. The census will determine the hiring and training needs of 13 key skilled trades occupations, provide a better understanding of the manufacturing sectors specific workforce needs and insight on how best to utilize Virginias workforce development programs to meet those needs. For more information, visit www.vamanufacturers.com.

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virginia beach business leaders host successful matchmaking conference

More than 400 small business owners recently attended Business on the Beach, an all-inclusive business conference hosted by VDBA, in conjunction with the City of Virginia Beach Office of Economic Development and the Virginia Beach Minority Business Council.

As part of Governor Kaines initiative to enhance state procurement opportunities for small, woman and minority-owned businesses (SWaM), the conference provided information for businesses at all stages of development from start-ups to expansions. Workshop topics include financing, small business certification, eVA registration and selling to the Commonwealth, employee recruitment and marketing strategies.

VDBA will continue to offer similar events throughout the year in conjunction with statewide localities. Visit www.vdba.virginia.gov for a conference or workshop in your area.

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Frequently asked questions from the Virginia Business Information Center

I am in the process of purchasing some commercial property and a title search has located an old lien with a bank that isnt around anymore. How can I find out who to contact to have the lien released?

Your first step would be to search the database of the State Corporation Commission to find out the companys status (i.e. merged, defunct, etc.). You can access that database at www.scc.virginia.gov/division/clk/diracc.htm.

Assuming the company has gone out of business or merged with another financial institution, you can visit www2.fdic.gov/idasp, input the company name, and you can discover who now owns the company. You should be able to then do a Google search to locate contact information for the company.

My business is structured as a corporation. Id like to change it to a limited liability company. Do I have to start from scratch?

No. You can change from a corporation to a limited liability company by filing the following document with the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission: http://www.scc.virginia.gov/division/clk/forms/scc72212c.pdf

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No matter what your business need or interest, local, state, and federal resources are surprisingly accessible no matter where you work in Virginia. Check the VDBA online calendar for details on these and other workshops, seminars, and networking events:

OCTOBER 3-5, 2007
VEDA Fall Conference NEWPORT NEWS

 

Send your event for posting on the VDBA website to will.vehrs@vdba.virginia.gov