The GO Virginia Region 6 Council announced $607,857 of Growth and Opportunity funds allocated for two projects in Region 6. GO Virginia Region 6 includes the Fredericksburg Region, Northern Neck, and the Middle Peninsula. The two projects both focus on the region’s targeted industry clusters with one concentrating on Workforce Development while the other is an Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Startup project. The workforce development project is led by the Bay Consortium Workforce Development Board (BCWDB) and will build on the Talent Pathways Initiative previously completed in 2023. The Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce (VABCC) is the recipient of the Entrepreneurship Startup Ecosystem project, implementing a business accelerator previously piloted in a GO Virginia Region 6 planning grant.
Bay Consortium Workforce Development Board (BCWDB) | Career Advancement and Resource Education (CARE)
The Bay Consortium Workforce Development Board (BCWDB) has been awarded $307,857 from Region 6’s Per Capita allocations for their Career Advancement and Resource Education (CARE) project to build new capacity, enhance career awareness, and define career pathways within the Information Technology, Aquaculture, and Manufacturing industry clusters. The CARE project will serve all 15 localities in Region 6.
The project will focus on four strategic goals:
- Develop the capacity to serve as the Sector Partnership regional convenor to develop the foundation for employer-led talent development strategies through employer engagement.
- Define career pathways of the targeted industries influenced by data from employers.
- Address workforce development issues as larger industry initiatives to foster collaboration through the Sector Partnership Toolkit and outreach materials.
- Collect and utilize data to inform collective talent development priorities and ensure actional strategies are implemented through business toolkits.
“As a convener of the workforce system in Region 6, we’re excited about implementing key findings from the Talent Pathways Initiative. We feel like this project will take a significant step in bridging the gap between the private sector, talent in the region, and our educational institutions,” commented Jackie Davis, Executive Director of the Bay Consortium Workforce Development Board. “Approval of the project signifies an investment in what will be a long term employer led and data driven approach to workforce development in the region.”
The project activities support the findings in the Region 6 Talent Pathway Initiative (TPI) Plan completed by the BCWDB in 2023. This includes finding ways to use flexible On-the-Job-Training (OJT) and work-based learning to support employment and utilization of stackable credentials to support upward job mobility. The project will also expand capacity at the BCWDB with a newly created Talent Development Coordinator position, which will lead Sector Partnerships and serve as a liaison between the business community and the broader workforce system.
The GO Virginia award is matched with $160,891 in local and federal funds. This brings the total project budget to $468,747. The core grant outcomes for the project include 60 job placements, 35 businesses served, 5 new interns placed, and 10 new apprenticeships created. In addition to the project metrics, there will also be the creation of a Business Toolkit to help the employer’s ability to recruit talent in the region and provide a skills-based hiring framework.
Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce (VABCC)| Expanding Business Ecosystems (EBE) Business Accelerator
The Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce (VABCC) has been awarded $300,000 in GO Virginia Region 6 Per Capita allocations for the Expanding Business Ecosystems (EBE) Business Accelerator. Participating localities include the City of Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania County, and Stafford County. The EBE Business Accelerator will focus on the Agriculture/Controlled Environment Agriculture, Distribution and Logistics, Manufacturing, and Professional Services industry clusters. This project is an expansion of the successful EBE Business Accelerator pilot program which was funded with a GO Virginia planning grant which closed out earlier this year.
The program will launch a ten-week program for six cohorts over two years, serving 120 businesses across Region 6. Each cohort will focus on specific industries or demographic groups that require tailored support, such as minority-owned businesses, tech startups, or companies in the manufacturing sector. Key elements of the program include the development of instructor led training modules, a sector specific mentorship program, networking events to connect industry leaders and potential investors with entrepreneurs, the creation of an advisory committee with experts and stakeholders in the region, and targeted outreach to ensure broad participation thereby increasing inclusivity and impact of the program.
“This grant is a transformational investment in the Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce’s mission to support and empower small businesses,” stated Ernisha Hall, President & CEO of the Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce. “With this funding, we can significantly expand the reach and impact of our Business Accelerator Program, fostering innovation and driving economic growth within our community. We are deeply grateful for this opportunity and are committed to using these resources to uplift entrepreneurs, strengthen small businesses, and create a more equitable and prosperous future for everyone.”
The match provided for the project totals $160,000 both from the VABCC, participating localities, and private sources. Additional leverage is being provided in the amount of $75,715 for a total project budget of $535,715. The core grant outcomes for this project include 120 businesses serviced, 120 businesses expanded, 10 new businesses created, 18 jobs created, and 30 new mentors providing business assistance.