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JCDA Welcomes New Executive Director – Thomas Bayuzik, Jr.
I`d like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the new Executive Director of the Jefferson County Development
Authority (JCDA). I have approximately twenty years of economic development experience throughout western Pennsylvania
and eastern Ohio. I`m excited to bring my experience to Jefferson County, and look forward to showcasing our exceptional
location to entice job creation enterprises to the area, as well as conducting outreach to our existing businesses.
In order to start that process, I will be presenting a draft work plan to the JCDA Board of Directors at the July meeting in which we will focus on a
variety of issues that will become an economic development agenda for Jefferson County. The plan will highlight a variety of issues including: strengthening
relationships with all of our service providers, building partnerships with local, regional and state agencies, and refining our economic development marketing program.
I look forward to working with everybody affiliated with the JCDA including Whitney Burch, Lane Donley, Kellie Boles of the Agricultural
Development Office and Beverly Bolger of Biztech.
I will be involved in many projects and organizations and look forward to working with the entire Jefferson County community.
I would like to wish outgoing Executive Director, Jane Peters the best of luck on her retirement and future initiatives. In addition, I’d
like to thank the JCDA Search Committee and Board of Directors for being selected as their new Executive Director.
Gov. Joe Manchin signed a proclamation in March creating the Western Potomac Economic Partnership, or West-PEP, after nearly 14 months
of talks and negotiations. The partnership involves a joint effort between development authorities in Berkeley, Hampshire, Jefferson and Morgan
counties. The new economic alliance zone is a way for the region to come together to promote the area to our neighboring states. Manchin
participated in a ceremonial signing at The Inn at Charles Town in June for a proclamation creating the zone. During the event he also made remarks
to more than a dozen representatives from the four counties that will participate in the alliance.
For more information please click here
On May 5th the Jefferson County Development Authority participated in Corenet’s first annual Virtual Bus Tour for the Mid-Atlantic
Chapter. The event took place at the Capitol One Building in McLean and the “tour” covered areas in Maryland, Virginia, DC and
the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Utilizing the opportunity to showcase some of our available property, we participated
with the goal of showing the surrounding area how close in proximity we really are, and the assets of Jefferson County. We
featured the old Norm Thompson building, the new Jefferson Crossing office space and the Burr Park Phase 2 lots. We are very
happy with our participation and the planning support we could offer. The teamwork between Economic Development Authority
directors that stretched across many regions and states paid off and we look forward to next year’s event.
www.jeffersonfarms.org
For the 2009 Jefferson County Fair, the Agriculture Development Office proposed the operation of a Farmers Market Exhibit at the fair, in
conjunction with an Educational Exhibit.
The Farmers Market/Educational Exhibit will have two distinct areas under the tent, one for the retail farmers market and one for the
educational exhibits. The farmers market will consist of a series of tables displaying the various products that the vendors of the Jefferson
Farms Market will have to sell. Products will include whole fruits, whole vegetables, breads, dinner rolls, salsas, jams, freezer meats,
eggs, ornamental plants, cut flowers, locally roasted coffee, and whole popcorn. The educational portion of the tent will include
various displays and games, including vegetable twister, a corn box, a potato digging sandbox, and a live fish display from the National
Center for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture. The educational exhibit will also host a series of demonstrations, including butter churning,
a pottery demonstration, a blacksmith demonstration, blanket making, wood carving and wool spinning. The educational exhibit will have
information about locally grown specialty crops including, nutritional information and recipe ideas.
To make the Farmers Market/Educational Exhibit a successful venture, Jefferson Farms Market, through the Agriculture Development
Office, has applied for $10,000 from the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program run by the WV Department of Agriculture - a yearly
grant program, which any agricultural entity in WV can apply for, to promote West Virginia specialty crops.
If awarded, the Grant funds will be used to purchase a 30`x 30` tent with side panels to protect the contents when the Farmers
Market/Educational Exhibit is not open. Grant funds will also be used to purchase a banner advertising Jefferson Farms Markets
and market vendors. The Jefferson Farms logo will also be printed on the tent. The funds will also be used to purchase
supplies for the educational portion of the tent and promotional items to attract customers to the other local Jefferson Farms
Markets throughout the year.
The EPEF is a free resource for networking with business owners, state and county officials, and for receiving helpful information for your
business. The organization was started in 2001 by the Eastern Panhandle Development Authority Executive Directors. The meetings occur
each month on the first Thursday, and are organized by the Berkeley, Morgan, and Jefferson County Development Authority’s along with
key steering committee members.
Our June 4, 2009 meeting featured a program about the WVU Entrepreneurship Law Clinic and the Create WV initiative. Full story featured
in the Journal at http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/520642.html.
The next meeting will be held at the Inn at Charles Town on August 6, 2009. The program, “Finding Money,” will feature a number of
presenters discussing direct loan programs, SBA programs, and venture capital programs. The event will begin at 5:30pm with networking and
refreshments. Join us to network with local business displayers, guests and listen to an informative program about FINDING THE MONEY!
To visit the EPEF please click here
For more information about the courses or other small business questions, call the West Virginia Small Business Development
Center`s free "Ask ME" business answer line at 1-888-982-7232 or send an e-mail to askme@wv.gov.
Implementing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). The Small Business Administration reported details on the Recovery Act implementation.
- $375 million for temporarily eliminating fees on SBA-backed loans and raising SBA`s guarantee percentage on some loans to 90 percent. The elimination of fees will remain in effect until the end of the calendar year or until the funding is exhausted.
- $255 million for a new loan program to help small businesses meet existing debt payments
- $30 million for expanding SBA`s Microloan program, enough to finance up to $50 million in new lending and $24 million in technical assistance grants to microlenders
- $20 million for technology systems to streamline SBA's lending and oversight processes
- $15 million for expanding SBA's Surety Bond Guarantee program
- $25 million for staffing up to meet demands for new programs
- $10 million for the Office of Inspector General
America’s Small Businesses Recover with SBA’s ARC Loans
If your small business is stressed meeting expenses during these economic times, the U.S. Small Business Administration has developed
a new loan program to help.
SBA's America's Recovery Capital Loan Program can provide up to $35,000 in short-term relief for viable small businesses facing immediate
financial hardship to help ride out the current uncertain economic times and return to profitability. Each small business is limited to one ARC loan.
Examples of qualifying loans may include credit card obligations for your business, capital leases, notes payable to vendors/suppliers, Development
Company Loan Program (504) first lien loans, other loans to small businesses made without an SBA guaranty, and loans made by or with an
SBA guaranty on or after Feb. 17, 2009.
ARC loans are designed to help businesses experiencing immediate financial hardship for reasons such as:
- Loss/reduction of customer base
- Increase in cost of doing business
- Loss/reduction of working capital and/or loss/reduction of short term credit facilities
- Inability to restructure existing debts due to credit restrictions
- Loss/reduction of employees (intellectual capital)
- Loss/reduction of major suppliers (major suppliers out of business)
**Borrowers whose loans are already severely delinquent or whose past performance or future cash flow indicates that the business is not viable are not good candidates for an ARC loan. For more information call the Business Ask Me Line at 888-982-7232.
To register for any of the workshops you may call Deborah Woods at 304-728-3051 ext 112. All workshops are held at BizTech, 150 E. Burr
Blvd., 1st Floor, Kearneysville, WV 25430. Seating is limited and prepayment is required for some workshops. Sorry, no refunds. Be advised that
dates and times are subject to change.
| July 15, 2009 |
Give ‘Em the Pickle: Providing Great Customer Service
(Presented by SBDC) |
6 PM - 8 PM |
| July 23, 2009 |
Recession Marketing (Presented by Growth Media Services) |
6 PM - 8 PM |
| July 28, 2009 |
How to Make InThePanhandle.com Work for You
Presented by FireBrand Media |
6 PM - 8 PM |
| August 11, 2009 |
QuickBooks Simple Start |
9 AM - 11 AM |
| August 20, 2009 |
Start Marketing!
(Presented by Growth Media Services) |
6 PM - 8 PM |
| Sept. 8, 2009 |
How to Buy a Website
(Presente by SBDC) |
9 AM - 11 AM |
| Sept. 22, 2009 |
Starting a Business in West Virginia
(Presented by SBDC) |
9 AM - 11 AM |
| October 13, 2009 |
Building a Business Plan (Presented by SBDC) |
9 AM - 11 AM |
* Biztech and the Eastern Panhandle Business Incubator were featured in the WV State Journal as one of the 55 good things about West Virginia!
Burr Park Phase 2 construction and closing are complete.
Marten Jenkins, Natural Capital Investment Fund, Shepherdstown was named West Virginia’s 2009 SBA Financial Advocate.
David Whalen, B2B Outlook LLC, Martinsburg was named West Virginia’s 2009 SBA Small Business Journalist.
Joseph Lillard, Washington Homeopathic Products, Berkeley Springs was named West Virginia’s 2009 SBA Small Business Person of the Year.
Schonstedt Instrument Company, Kearneysville, received the Governor’s Commendation for International Market Entry for now exporting to Republic of Guinea-Bissau.
Aunt Irene’s Sweets n Treats, Harpers Ferry, will be one of the 55 Best Things about West Virginia in the July 3rd issue of The State Journal.
Royal Vendors, Kearneysville, received the Governor’s Commendation for International Market Entry for now exporting to Portugal and United Arab Emirates.
Veteran Bolivar Councilman and Mayor pro tempore (2005-2009) Robert J. Hardy is Bolivar’s newly elected mayor. He has been in public service for the past 22 years as an elected member of the town council.
Mayor David Hamill remains the Mayor of Ranson, and Mayor Peggy Smith was re-elected as the Mayor of Charles Town.
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