Giles County, VA – Giles County, Virginia is encouraging small businesses to locate and expand within its borders. Applications are now open for Jumpstart Giles, a business plan competition that guides applicants through a series of professional and business development workshops. The final jump will be a Business Plan Competition where up to $33,000 in cash prizes and more in professional services will be donned out to successful applicants.

Businesses with a retail component or based in tourism and hospitality are invited to compete for prize packages, and all small businesses are encouraged to participate in the workshops, scheduled to start in February 2020. The deadline to apply is January 23, 2020. All information is currently accessible at GilesCounty.org under Jumpstart or by calling the Giles Tourism Office for a paper application.

Jumpstart Giles is one of four localities that received funding through the Community Business Launch, a community development program of the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Funds will be used to host workshops and provide materials for all applicants, advertise and support the series, and award funds to successful competitors to grow, launch, and enhance their small businesses in Giles.

New (operating for less than two years) businesses as well as businesses wishing to expand have the opportunity to participate. Those entrepreneurs who have yet to launch their idea are also encouraged to apply as all winners have until later in 2020 to show their business plan implementation successes.

The purpose of Jumpstart Giles is to provide a platform and network to support entrepreneurs within the New River Valley. Creating a space that is welcoming to business, enables our communities to continue to be places we want to live, play, recreate, and grow. Jumpstart Giles is an opportunity to jumpstart a business, an idea, and 2020!

Giles County, Virginia is located in Southwest Virginia approximately 40 minutes south of Roanoke and just west of Blacksburg and Virginia Tech. With easy access to the New River, world class dining and lodging properties, and historical attractions for the entire family, Giles offers adventure in Virginia’s Mountain Playground™. Come find your playground at our Visitors Center located at 203 N Main Street, Pearisburg, VA 24134 or find us online at gilescounty.org or by calling 540-921-2079.

Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly-skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.