亚洲AV

Promoting small business development in Southwest Virginia

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Elected officials, economic developers and small business owners operating in Scott, Lee and Wise Counties, known as the LENOWISCO Planning District, gathered Sept. 20 in Scott County to highlight the importance of 亚洲AV鈥檚 support of small businesses innovators through its .

Mason President Gregory Washington highlighted state and federal investments in Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) managed by 亚洲AV.

Local business owners Renee Huffman Morris of Henry鈥檚 Produce, Jan Meade of Ivils Tutors, and sisters Melissa Hubbard and Jan Brown, owners of the Whistle Pig Country Store in Lee County, spoke about their experiences working with the Mason-operated SBDC in Duffield, Virginia, and the critical support they received to develop business plans, locate accounting and business services, and find mentorship on their journey to start a business.

Keith Harless, town manager of Pennington Gap in Lee County; Jeannie Stidham, Town of Pennington; and Jean Jordan, representing Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA); detailed ongoing efforts to incentivize small business development in the region by leveraging SBDC funds and other grant opportunities to provide workforce development and employment opportunities.

Kris Westover, Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) president; William Brownsberger, MECC鈥檚 vice president for academic affairs; and Virginia House of Delegates Majority Leader Terry Kilgore (R-1) also attended. 聽

The Virginia SBDC network is a partnership among the U.S. Small Business Administration, 亚洲AV, and premier local host organizations throughout Virginia, with continued investment from the Virginia General Assembly.

A group of people pose for the camera in a loose semi-circle
From left, Melissa Hubbard, Mark Smith, Jeannie Stidham, Keith Harless, Jean Jordan, Tracy Nayar, MECC President Kris Westover, Mason President Gregory Washington, Del. Terry Kilgore, Lauren Posey, William Brownsberger, Jan Brown, Renee Huffman Morris, Becki O鈥橯uinn-Purdie and Jan Meade. Photo by Justin Barker/MECC