Tag Archive for: #smallbusinesses

Local Chambers Promote Small Business; Looking Biz of Year!

Nominations are being accepted at local Chambers of Commerce for the 2020 Small Business of the Year.

Henderson-Vance Chamber President Michele Burgess noted several criteria for companies who are nominated. Anyone can nominate a company for consideration, and companies may self-nominate, she said.

All nominated companies must submit a written application to the Chamber office no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, April 16, 2021.

The deadline is Monday, April 12 to submit written applications to the Granville Chamber in Oxford, according to a written statement from that Chamber’s Small Business Committee.

Both chambers use the following criteria for a small business to be nominated:

  • employs a maximum of 50 people
  • is a member of the local chamber and is located in the county
  • has been in business at least 3 years and is experiencing growth or stability over its business life
  • provides critical service or products, fills a void in the business community, or has a unique approach to the delivery of goods and services
  • Is not a governmental agency or municipality

In addition to the above criteria, the Granville Chamber lists two more criteria for consideration:

  • May have overcome diverse or extraordinary circumstances  to remain in business
  • Is supportive of community growth sustainability
  • Representative(s) of each small business completing a written application will be invited to a Small Business luncheon

All applications are confidential.

Email michele@hendersonvance.org or call the H-V Chamber at 252.438.8414 to learn more and to request an application. Copies also are available at the Chamber office, 414 S. Garnett St., open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information about the Granville application, email wanda@granville-chamber.com or call the Oxford office 919.693.6125. Copies of the application are also available for pickup at the Oxford office, located at 124 Hillsboro St.

Sept. is National Preparedness Month: Does Your Small Business Have a Disaster Plan?

-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce’s “Focus” newsletter – July/August 2018

September is National Preparedness Month. For small business owners, being prepared can mean the difference between staying in business or not following a disaster. The Small Business Administration can assist your business from the planning stages to recovery. Below are the steps they list for Emergency Preparedness. These are each covered at a more in-depth level on the SBA website at www.SBA.gov.

Disaster Planning

Small business owners invest a tremendous amount of time, money and resources to make their ventures successful, yet many owners fail to properly plan and prepare for disaster situations. According to the Institute for Business and Home Safety, an estimated 25 percent of businesses do not reopen following a major disaster. You can protect your business by identifying the risks associated with natural and man-made disasters, and by creating a plan for action should a disaster strike. By keeping those plans updated, you can help ensure the survival of your business. A great place to start is the SBA’s Small Business Disaster Preparedness Guide on the web.

Disaster Assistance

Disaster can strike at any time, and even the most prepared businesses can be adversely impacted. If your business has been impacted by a disaster, the SBA can help by providing disaster assistance.

Disaster Cleanup

Taking the proper cleanup precautions means you can get back to business sooner. Explore some important tips and advice to help you get back on your feet safely.

SBA’s Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Plan

This plan lays out an overall plan for the Disaster Loan Program, both for smaller scale events when ODA resources easily meet demand and for larger scale ones requiring greater participation from all agency resources.

State Government Information

State governments relay pertinent information to businesses affected by disasters and offer a number of services to help businesses prepare and recover from disasters. Learn more about your state.