What's Happening in Stafford, Virginia |
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We're thrilled to welcome you to the latest edition of our monthly newsletter, "What's Happening in Stafford VA." This communication serves as your go-to source for staying in the loop on all the exciting developments, programs, resources, and opportunities within the vibrant Stafford region. Whether you're a local business owner, a dedicated professional, or simply an enthusiast of all things Stafford, our newsletter is tailored to inform and inspire you. Get ready to discover the latest news, network with like-minded individuals, and unlock the incredible potential this dynamic community has to offer. We invite you to dive in, stay engaged, and make the most of the opportunities that Stafford, VA has in store for you.
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Business Environment Survey We value your input! |
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The Stafford County Department of Economic Development, in collaboration with the University of Mary Washington, is conducting a survey to gather insights on the business environment in Stafford County. Your input will play a crucial role in shaping the future business retention and expansion program, ultimately benefiting local businesses. The survey is expected to take around 10 minutes to complete. We value your feedback, as it will aid in designing and enhancing programs for existing businesses, empowering them to achieve their utmost potential.
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First Thursdays with the SBA: Crowdfunding | 12:00 PM
Organizer: UMW SBDC Location: Virtual
Grab your lunch and join the SBA on the first Thursday of each month to learn more about SBA programs and network with other small business owners. Are traditional funding sources not a fit for your business? Consider crowdfunding. Join us as we discuss how crowdfunding works, why it may work for you, and tips and tricks on how to be a successful crowd funder. Finding revenue is one of the challenges for a project/idea/business. There are many options to help fund it. One option that may be the stepping stone to success is crowdfunding. Come in and learn if this is a possible funding stream for your future success. Maximized to the fullest use can mean more than money. Key takeaways from this webinar will be: what is crowdfunding, how crowdfunding help you finance your business, and mistakes to avoid in a crowdfunding campaign.
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| V-TOP Workshop: : Developing Our Workforce Through Internships | 8:30 AM Organizer: Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership Location: University of Mary Washington - Stafford Campus
Join Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership for a free, half-day workshop designed to help local organizations learn how to develop high-quality, mutually beneficial internship experiences, satisfy the training prerequisite to qualify for state-funded support for creating or expanding an internship program, and network over lunch. This workshop is designed to provide local organizations with guided support to fulfill V-TOP’s training prerequisite to access a 50% funding match to pay interns and/or free support from a state-appointed staffing agency. The workshop will compress V-TOP’s eight-hour online course, “Developing an Internship Program,” into a three-hour live session highlighting the six required modules, complemented by an hour of lunch and networking with participants.
This workshop will be most beneficial for organizations in V-TOP Region 6 (Fredericksburg, Middle Peninsula, and Northern Neck areas) that are registered with the State Corporation Commission, have been in business for 3 or more years, have 250 or fewer employees, and are not government agencies. |
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UMW Women’s Colloquium Monthly Coffee Talk | 8:00 AM Organizer: University of Mary Washington Women's Leadership Colloquium Location: Jepson Alumni and Executive Center
This event takes place monthly, with themed discussions led by local leaders, and all are welcome. Join us at December’s Coffee Talk as we delve into Creating a Culture of Gratitude. Sometimes it feels like everything around you is a challenge. There is never enough time to get everything done. You were late on an important deadline. The negative self-talk begins and before you know it, you are finding it difficult to find goodness anywhere. If you have ever struggled with moments like these, it is important to know you are not alone. The good news is: a few intentional shifts can make a world of positive difference! During this interactive session we will share tips to shift our mindset to positive thinking and an outlook rooted in gratitude. December’s Coffee Talk will be led by Susan Spears, IOM, President & CEO, Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce. Please join us in person! Networking is the best thing you can do for your own professional development! Share, learn and grow from other professionals in the Fredericksburg area.
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GovCon 101: Proposal Development | 12:00 PM
Organizer: UMW SBDC
Location: Virtual
The Federal Government buys over $600 billion per year on goods and services, 5% of that spend is allocated for Small Business. In order to be successful in government contracting you must know how to respond to a solicitation with a winning proposal. A properly formatted proposal will help you get noticed and differentiate you from your competition and show you are a responsible and responsive bidder. Key takeaways will be: proper formatting of a proposal, how proposals are graded, and common mistakes made in proposal writing.
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Blue Print Business Plan Workshop | 9:00 AM
Organizer: UMW SBDC
Location: Virtual
This four-hour workshop covers the development of the business plan and financial forecasting of the business plan. Please be prepared to begin working on your business plan during the class. We will start by opening a Microsoft Word or Google Doc for you to add information to as we proceed through the workshop. By the end of the workshop you will have completed a rough draft of a portion of the business plan and have clear direction which areas you need to conduct research and add additional information to in order to complete. Key takeaways are: research tools, business plan components, business concept, financial plan, and supporting documents.
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UMW CPS Business Acumen Series: Skills for the Adaptive Leader | 9:00 AM
Organizer: UMW CPS
Location: University of Mary Washington - Stafford Campus
UMW’s Continuing and Professional Studies Department has launched a series of 1-day seminars to build leadership and business skills in the Fredericksburg region. The Stafford EDA has invested in 50 seats to the Business Acumen Series to support the Stafford Business Community with educational resources. The Skills for the Adaptive Leader seminar will provide an opportunity to assess leadership agility through interactive exercises and self-assessments. |
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