SBA Grants Webinar, SCORE resources and more!

Hello,

We hope you are well! The Highland County Chamber of Commerce continues to update its COVID-19 Resource Page with information about economic relief and reopening resources as we receive them. Please visit https://www.highlandcounty.org/covid-19/ to learn more. We most recently added the information contained in #1 below. The remaining information offers other insights that we hope you will find useful.

1. (Message from the Virginia Tourism Corporation):

The Small Business Administration is presenting a webinar this Thursday, January 14th at 3:00pm to provide a preliminary overview of the Shuttered Venue Operators Grants to help those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program was included in the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020.

Eligible organizations with a reduction in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic will have the opportunity to receive up to a $10 million grant under the program. In total, the Economic Aid Act allocates $15 billion for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grants.

The Small Business Administration will administer this program, including the application process.

This webinar will provide introductory information about the grants, who can apply, how potential organizations can prepare, and other detail about eligibility and applications.

More information, including registration for the webinar, is available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/shuttered-venue-operators-grant-webinar-registration-136050549857.

This webinar will be recorded.

2. SCORE continues to be a free resource for businesses who need information about a variety of issues. They currently have much information about the new Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) that may help you during these challenging times. Learn more at https://www.score.org/.

3.

Congratulations to the Highland County Historical Society for their Highland County Museum submission as a 2020 Honoree for Virginia's Top 10 Endangered Artifacts! VOTING IS NOW OPEN THROUGH JANUARY 20TH! You can vote daily within a 24 hour period for an artifact. The Highland County Museum's submitted journal by Washington Stephenson, the first elected sheriff of Highland County, is very fragile, and with the proceeds from the contest, the Highland Historical Society will be able to preserve this incredible piece of Highland History. Learn more about the honorees and vote at https://www.vamuseums.org/vote-for-virginias-top-10-endangered-artifacts.

5.

Just a reminder that it’s official: Best of Virginia 2021 voting has begun! What better way to ring in the New Year than by voting for your favorite shops, restaurants, and services throughout the Commonwealth - especially those in Highland County and our Chamber members? Vote for your favorites at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BOV2021. Below is the list of nominees we found from Highland County, as well as Chamber members. You can write-in other favorites from our area, too! Thank you for your support!

Best Restaurant: The Waterwheel at Gristmill Inn, Warm Springs
Chocolatier: Susanna's Confections, Monterey
Grocery Store: The Curly Maple, Monterey
Bar with the Best Atmosphere: Simone Kenton Pub at The Inn at Gristmill Square, Warm Springs
Cidery: Big Fish Cider Co., Monterey
Love Sign: LOVEwork in Highland County, Monterey
Food or Drink Festival: Highland County Maple Festival, Monterey
Bed & Breakfast: Inn at Gristmill Square, Warm Springs
Hotel: Highland Inn, Monterey
Resort: Omni Homestead Resort, Hot Springs
Golf Course: The Cascades at Omni Homestead Resort, Hot Springs
Hiking or Biking Trail: Appalachian Trail
Park: George Washington and Jefferson National Forests
Spa: The Spa at the Omni Homestead Resort, Hot Springs
Funeral Home: Obaugh Funeral Home, McDowell
Men's Clothing Store: Twice is Nice, Monterey
Women's Clothing Store: First Lady at the Omni Homestead, Hot Springs
Sporting Goods or Outdoor Outfitter: Allegheny Outfitters at the Omni Homestead, Hot Springs & Rockingham Cooperative, multiple locations

Thank you, and take care!