SVTC April Luncheon | The State of State and Local Broadband

Virtual VA

At the beginning of his term, Governor Northam set the goal of universal broadband access across Virginia by 2028. Four years later, Virginia has invested $124 million and connected 140,000 locations. Kyle Rosner, Deputy Broadband Advisor, will provide an overview of the multi-pronged effort to achieve universal coverage, including what’s been done and what remains. […]

Free

COVID-19 HUB Demographic and Economic Resources

Virtual VA

This Summit on “COVID-19 HUB” is a FREE Virtual Webinar which will provide data users demographic and economic data designed to help guide decision-making related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Free

Economic Recovery: Workforce Patterns

Virtual VA

Virtual Webinar which will teach data users how to analyze commuting patterns and workforce characteristics at the state and sub-state geographic levels as shown in the Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics (LEHD) program.

Free

Rural Attraction Roundtable: Remote Work Trends

Virtual VA

Join us on May 20th for a conversation on the future of remote work in our region - assessing the opportunity and discussing tactics to attract teleworkers. This roundtable is a platform for regional stakeholders to learn, support, and strategize local efforts to capitalize on the post-pandemic world. The Rural Attraction Roundtable will feature: Remote Work […]

Get Your Local Business on Google Search and Maps

Virtual VA

Want your business to be found online? Need to figure out how to manage your business on Google Search and Maps? This is the workshop for you. Join us to learn about Google My Business, a free tool for local businesses who want to connect with customers on Google Search and Maps. We will highlight […]

Free

Business Smarts – Recruitment and Retention in Challenging Times

Virtual VA

Has the coronavirus forced you to reinvent your business or non-profit? Has it upended employment and recruitment processes and challenged you to invest in new ways of working? Are you now struggling to recruit and keep talent when you never had that problem before? As a leader in your organization, you need a new way of thinking. Hiring is – no doubt – one of the biggest challenges you’ll face in 2021. As you work to ramp up, you can overcome that challenge by creating a strong employee value proposition, building a solid company culture, valuing your employees, getting creative with your recruiting approach, and implementing a smooth and streamlined hiring process. In this session, we will discuss some out-of-the-box ideas for recruiting and retaining talent in today’s tough market.
Presenter Sheri Bender is the owner of Pulse HR Solutions, a human resources and training firm that offers comprehensive and cost-effective programs, such as Leadership Training / Harassment Training, HR Audits, Resume Writing, Policy and Handbook Development, Employee Opinion Surveys, and more specifically designed to meet the needs of your organization.

Free

Rural Attraction Roundtable: Broadband Workshop

Virtual VA

Join us on Tuesday, June 15th at 10:00 AM for the CSPDC's Broadband Workshop. The Broadband Workshop will feature the following presenters providing applicable  information on Virginia's broadband resources: Kyle Rosner, Deputy Broadband Advisor, Office of the Secretary of Commerce and Trade: As Deputy Broadband Advisor, Kyle serves as Virginia's point of contact and integration […]

VATI How-to-Apply Webinar

The Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) extends broadband service to currently unserved areas. VATI prepares communities to build, utilize, and capitalize on telecommunications infrastructure with the goal of creating strong, competitive communities. To learn how to apply for a VATI grant, attend the how-to-apply webinar on June 17th.

Free

A Guide for Retail Renewal | Retail Renewal and Recovery Series

Virtual VA

Virginia is reopening in Summer 2021 and retail has changed. Marc Willson of the Virginia SBDC is presenting a Guide for Retail Renewal webinar to share:
1) Current retail trends since COVID
2) Customer expectations of the retail experience
3) New opportunities and challenges to maximize for success
4) Tips for developing and executing a renewed business strategy

Free

American Rescue Plan Funding for Arts Organizations in Rural America

Virtual VA

The National Endowment for the Arts is offering two programs to distribute American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to arts organizations across the country. Through the ARP Grant Program: Rebuilding the Creative Community, funds will help preserve jobs and support art organizations in communities of all sizes by covering general operating costs. These two opportunities are open to nonprofit arts and culture organizations, local governments, federally recognized tribal communities or tribes, and local arts agencies, regardless of whether they have received past NEA funding, significantly expanding access to federal funds for the arts and culture sector. The Arts Endowment is actively seeking first-time applicants that work in rural America and Indian Country, and this workshop will provide content for first-timers as well as previous NEA applicants.

On July 8 at 12:00 ET, join the National Endowment for the Arts team, Art of the Rural, and First Peoples Fund to explore these two programs. Learn how to register your organization to be eligible for federal funding, gain access to other resources, and participate in a Q&A session. This webinar is designed to assist rural and Indian Country organizations in the registration and application process.

Guidelines, application materials, and applicant resources are available at arts.gov/grants.

Before applying for federal funding, organizations need to obtain a DUNS number and register with SAM.gov and grants.gov. Registration on SAM.gov and grants.gov can take several weeks, so you should begin the process as soon as possible. The Arts Endowment has put together some instructions and links to help you with this process.

This workshop will be recorded and made available on artoftherural.org within 48 hours after the event.

Business Smarts – Strategic Planning Through and Beyond Uncertainty @ Virtual Event

Should you think about strategic planning in the midst of uncertainty? What should it look like? Strategic planning is never easy and these days it’s hard to think about the future when businesses and nonprofits are working on survival mode. But strategy and assessment are important for both short and long-term sustainable growth and success.

Strategic planning can help organizations map a path to success. This presentation is designed as a broad-based introduction to strategic planning for businesses and nonprofit organizations. The session will cover:

The purpose of strategic planning
Best practices in the strategic planning process
Key steps and elements to consider

Free

Success Through E-Commerce | Digital Bootcamp Series

Virtual VA

Join us if you’re interested in pivoting more of your efforts to ONLINE SALES.
This session will cover:
The variety of websites available, the possibilities for upgrading yours to better accommodate online sales and the estimated costs to accomplish this!
The various e-commerce platforms available and how to select the best based on your specific business needs.
How to setup and manage your online storefront or service portal and how to use data and marketing to maximize returns.
Instructor: Cameron Nelson, Chief Digital Advisor, Virginia SBDC and CV SBDC.

Free