Jumpstart Giles Business Plan Competition Awards $40,000

Giles County, VA- What began in November of 2019 and was supposed to happen in March 2020, finally concluded on July 21^st, 2020 at Mountain Lake Lodge. The first ever business plan competition for Giles County and towns’ small businesses with a retail or tourism component was a success!

Jumpstart Giles was a personal and professional small business development series that provided an opportunity for participants to compete for $40,000 in cash prizes to help launch or expand their entrepreneurial endeavors. The funding source was a Community Business Launch award from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, and the Rotary Club of Giles County. With the help from the New River Valley Regional Commission and a leadership team consisting of participants from the Town of Narrows, Town of Pearisburg, Town of Rich Creek, Giles County, FNBP Narrows, Atlantic Union, BB&T, Virginia Community Capital, Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business, and local business leaders, the successful application provide the structure and funds to launch this business plan competition.

Originally having 15 small business participating, and over 30 attendees at each workshop from January through March, the workshop series featured local and regional experts in accounting, insurance, marketing, operations, and more. Due to public health concerns that original Pitch Night and Awards Ceremony that was scheduled for March was rescheduled to July at Mountain Lake Lodge.

Thirteen businesses competed with an eight-minute pitch to two judges from outside the area, but with expertise in small business development. Seven participants were awarded prizes at the conclusion of the event. The Top Pitch, Top Plan, and Judges Choice awards were among all contestants. The Start-up business category, per the guidelines of the program, included businesses that had yet to launch or were in operation less than two years. While Expanding businesses included those who had been in operation more than two years and had an expansion component to their business plan.

Award winners were:

• Best Pitch for $1,500 to Webb’s Joinery & Construction, LLC who will be locating in Pearisburg.
• Best Business Plan for $1,500, Honorable Mention Start-up for $2,000, & Town of Pearisburg Start-up Award for $500 to HB Outdoor Adventures, who will be locating in Pearisburg.
• 2nd Place Start-up for $2,000 to Upper Cuts Barber Shop who is in Pearisburg.
• 1st Place Start-up was Bluegrass BBQ who is located in Pembroke.
• Judges Choice was awarded a special prize of $7,00 Hoke Family Dentistry, PLLC who is in Narrows.
• 2nd Place Expanding Business for $8,000 went to Kairos Wilderness Resort of Glen Lyn.
• 1st Place Expanding Business for $10,000 and Town of Pearisburg Expanding Award for $500 to GearHead Junction of Pearisburg.

Congratulations to all the participants! Prize winners will work with the Giles County Tourism Office to meet the guidelines to receive their cash prizes as well as continue meeting with mentors and consultants to further the development of their small business. They have until December 2021 to utilize their award winnings.

The Jumpstart Giles Network will continue to offer professional and personal development opportunities to entrepreneurs. If you would like more information on upcoming events and opportunities with the Jumpstart Giles Network, please visit www.GilesCounty.org/jumpstart-giles.

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Giles County, Virginia is located in Southwest Virginia approximately 40 minutes south of Roanoke and just west of Blacksburg and Virginia Tech. With easy access to the New River, world class dining and lodging properties, and historical attractions for the entire family, Giles offers adventure in Virginia’s Mountain Playground™. Come find your playground at our Visitors Center located at 203 N Main Street, Pearisburg, VA 24134 or find us online at gilescounty.org or by calling 540-921-2079.