The Service Corporation of Retired Executives (SCORE) offers free and confidential counseling, workshops on management, and a resource index for start-up or existing business.
SCORE Counselors to America's Small Business is affiliated with the SBA, and is located in the Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce. Available most Friday's at 9:30 am for walk-in counseling, and accepts appointment.
For more information about SCORE, please visit their web site: http://www.score.org/
The Hampton Roads Technology Council (HRTC) is the technology nerve center for the southeastern region of Virginia named Hampton Roads. As a member-driven non-profit organization, HRTC is transforming the region and its technology companies into world-recognized technology leaders.
HRTC's mission is to accelerate the transformation of Hampton Roads and its technology firms into world-recognized technology leaders.
The Hampton Roads Technology Incubator System — a division of the HRTC — is dedicated to nurturing high-growth, high-tech businesses into profitable industry leaders. It's promoting economic growth for southeastern Virginia by:
The JCCTI is the newest addition to the HRTIS system. This facility offers full Incubator services, including high speed internet, board room facility, copier & printer services, common area, individually locked offices, after-hours access and new office furniture.
The Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) addresses the challenges that directly promote the creation and retention of technology-based jobs in Virginia.
CIT draws upon higher education, federal laboratories, and other partners to deliver appropriate solutions to businesses, offering a range of business and technical assistance programs including: assistance to existing companies in the commercialization of products and enhancement of current business structures, and technical assistance to enhance existing technology-based products, processes, and services.
CIT focuses on five key industries:
The Global Market Research Program, part of Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s (VEDP) Division of International Trade, produces comprehensive, tailor made export marketing plans for Virginia companies that want to enter new export markets.
Since its inception in 1988, the Global Market Research Program, in cooperation with various colleges and universities in Virginia and overseas, has assisted more than 420 businesses.
The assists Virginia companies develop new export markets and to increase sales by matching teams of top MBA students from Virginia universities and colleges with eligible businesses to develop comprehensive export marketing plans.
Virginia’s Small Business Development Center network (VSBDC) provides management and technical assistance to small and medium-sized companies in the Commonwealth to grow and assist existing businesses through counseling and group training on topics including marketing, financing, cash flow analysis, human resources and business management.
The Hampton Roads Area SBDC serves James City County businesses with regularly hosting business seminars and provides counseling services by appointment.
The Virginia Philpott Manufacturing Extension Partnership’s (VPMEP) improves the productivity and performance of existing small- and medium-sized manufacturers in southern Virginia through services such as needs assessment, general business assistance, business systems improvement, manufacturing process improvement, materials and product engineering, quality improvement, pollution prevention, workforce development, and identification, selection, and implementation of technologies.
Currently funded by US DOL, SEVAMP supports nationally recognized tools that can:
With the help of SEVAMP and PDCCC we are training our workforce to get their skill levels in line with job requirements. The end result has been qualified workers with a skill level to succeed in today’s workplace. ~Dorothy Hickman, Hercules Inc.
The adoption of the WorkKeys system at Siemens, through the support of TNCC, has had a positive effect on hiring, retention and promotion throughout our company. ~ Mike Lindsey, HR Manager Siemens VDO
The Virginia Procurement Pipeline is an on-line database of Virginia businesses that allows users to search by name, business type, locality, and number of employees. The purpose of the database is to increase business-to-business commerce within the Commonwealth. It can be accessed through the Virginia Department of Business Assistance website at www.dba.state.va.us/dobusiness.
The Commonwealth of Virginia buys almost $5 billion in goods services and construction annually. This purchasing represents potential new markets and growth opportunities for Virginia businesses interested in selling their products and services to state government.
To help businesses access these opportunities, the Department of Business Assistance (DBA) has established “Selling To The Commonwealth.” This program provides web resources, vendor training, technical assistance, and organized buyer-supplier networking events. “Selling To The Commonwealth” connects buyers and suppliers in an effort to maximize open competition and access to state contracting for Virginia businesses. Related services include:
Virginia's government purchasing, also known as procurement, is conducted on eVA, www.eva.virginia.gov the state's electronic purchasing system. eVA is managed by the Department of General Services (DGS), the Commonwealth agency which oversees state purchasing and sets related policies. DBA has partnered with DGS to develop educational tools and provide outreach throughout the Commonwealth, helping businesses understand not only how to use the eVA system, but how to market their firms strategically to state government.