Provided below is a compilation of resources and information for Waynesboro businesses in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. This page is updated regularly, check back frequently for updates! This page was last updated 6/14/2021.
COVID-19 Vaccine and Other Updates
The Virginia Department of Health/Central Shenandoah Health District provides regular updates on vaccination efforts, testing, and other important subjects here. They also publish a weekly newsletter that you can subscribe to.
CARES Grants
(Renaissance Fund, Renaissance Fund TWO, Al Fresco Dining Grant, Sustainability Fund)
Between July 1 and December 31, 2020 the City of Waynesboro offered four small business/non profit grant programs and distributed $600,000 or 15% of the total City allocation of CARES funds. Complete descriptions and reports can be found under “COVID Response” here.
Business Intelligence for Your Industry in Waynesboro
Maybe you are thinking of retooling your business model or strategy. Business planning is about finding the right opportunities in the marketplace. This page provides competitive intelligence data to help you make smarter business decisions. Finding out about your business and how it fits in the Waynesboro marketplace is critical to your success. Discover industry trends, customer profile and location, nearby competition, and financial tools specific to your business or industry.
Free Business Counseling available from Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and SCORE. Request a virtual appointment at vasbdc or score.org.
Retail, Restaurants, and Hospitality
Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) Resource Page
The Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association (VRLTA) Resource Page
VRLTA’s COVID-19 Support & Training Resources for Restaurants
Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce (GARCC) Resource Page
American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA)
Southeast Tourism Society Resource Page
Virginia Cooperative Extension COVID-19 resource page for agricultural & food businesses in their communities
US Travel Association Industry Guidance for Promoting the Health and Safety of All Travelers
National Restaurant Association
Gift Card Resources:
Rally for Restaurants
Toast Now
Buy Local/Business Marketing
News Virginian Local Marketing Grant Program – The News Virginian will award up to $100,000 in matching advertising grants as part of a company-wide initiative by parent company Lee Enterprises. The grants, in the form of advertising credits, will be available to local businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants will provide matching marketing credits of between $250 and $15,000 for use in The News Virginian’s print and digital products. Visit their website for more information and to apply.
Local Business Assistance (Information provided as a service, not a recommendation)
SCCF is also launching a Women and Minority-Owned Business Support program for 2021. Interested business owners can submit the following pre-application and will be notified of next steps: https://forms.gle/weYmCy4KRekzTy4BA.
The Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce is offering a number of free webinars and resources– check their website regularly or sign-up for their newsletter.
Buy Local Gift Card Directory – business owners can offer gift cards for sale to the News Virginian audience by submitting details here. It’s free to join! If you have questions, contact Peter Lynch at plynch@newsvirginian.com. The News Virginian’s Buy Local Gift Card Directory is sponsored by McKee Foods.
Shop Local Shenandoah Valley – Immerge (A division of McClung Companies) has put together an online directory of Shenandoah Valley Businesses to support them during this time. To submit your business to the directory free of charge, go to the website and submit your info.
SOS Consulting – Tauna Crabtree, Small Business Accounting & Finance, 540-836-7824, soshelpva@hotmail.com
Banners showing current hours of operation and services provided free of charge by Mountain Laurel Studio of Waynesboro. Email: wil@mtnls.com
State Grants/Resources
The Return to Earn Grant Program – on June 11, 2021 Governor Ralph Northam announced a new $3 million investment to pilot the Return to Earn Grant Program, which will match payments from eligible small businesses to provide new hires with up to $1,000 to support their transition back into the workforce. While many companies are offering hiring bonuses, the Return to Earn Grant Program will serve businesses with less than 100 employees that may not have the resources to provide this financial support. The initial launch of this program will be funded through Virginia’s federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) set aside and additional recovery funds may be allocated based on demand. For additional information on requirements and to apply for Return to Earn grant funding, small businesses should contact their local workforce development board. Answers to frequently asked questions about the program can be found here.
The Rebuild VA Grant Fund – All available funds have been exhausted at this time. We are hopeful that Congress will soon pass a stimulus package that provides additional relief to small businesses. Please sign up here to be notified of any additional developments.
Listen Live to “SBA Wednesday” VA-Richmond District Office Business Insights – tune in “On The MIC With MIKE RVA.” Host Mike King and Lead Economic Development Specialist, Martin Short will discuss small business. Listen live at 1pm.
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership International Trade team (VEDP) is offering free webinars designed to help you think through various aspects of international trade during this new and disruptive period. Check out the webinar topics and schedule plus a host of other assistance for international marketing here.
The Secretary of Commerce and Trade has created a compilation of resources and information for Virginia businesses in relation to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Financial support options are detailed by business size and specific resources can be searched by industry type. This page will be updated as more information becomes available.
State Reopening Guidelines
Virginia’s permanent COVID-19 workplace safety and health rules took effect January 27, 2021 after Governor Northam approved the standard adopted by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry’s Safety and Health Codes Board. The standards mandate appropriate personal protective equipment, sanitation, social distancing, infectious disease preparedness and response plans, record keeping, training, and hazard communications in workplaces across the Commonwealth. The final permanent standard can be found here. Infectious disease preparedness and response plan templates and training guidance are available at doli.virginia.gov. Workers who feel unsafe in their workplace can file a formal complaint with the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration here.
Phase THREE of the Forward Virginia Guidelines
Detailed sections for restaurants and beverage, brick and mortar retail, personal care and grooming, fitness and exercise can be found here.
Phase THREE Frequently Asked Questions
US Resources
Google offer a free digital advertising service to non-profits by way of their Google Ad Grants. The Google Grant offers qualifying 501c3 non-profits access up to $10,000 per month in free Google search ads (text ads in the search results). Find out if you qualify and apply here.
The IRS has created a webpage detailing information relevant to small businesses and tax-exempt entities.
A new website developed by the Association for Women Business Center and America’s SBDC and is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides small businesses with access to a consolidation of COVID-19 related information and resources from multiple federal agencies.
The US Chamber of Commerce provides a number of sector specific reopening checklists, guidelines, and other information on their website.
Reopening Tips and Guidelines
Shenandoah Valley Region Guide to Re-opening Work-Hard-Smart-Safe (2020 June): This guide includes many of the recommendations developed by the Back to Work Virginia Task Force along with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other federal, state, and local resources.
Main Street America: Reopening Safely – Tips for Small Business Owners
Newmark Knight and Frank – Global Corporate Services Provider: Facilities Management Re-Occupancy Checklist
Virginia Small Business Development Center (SBDC): Provides an extensive checklist and step by step guide to help make decisions to chart your recovery
National Retail Federation: Operation Open Doors Checklist
CDC: Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 – This article discusses how employers can limit the impact of COVID on their workplace by reducing transmission among employees, maintaining healthy business operations, and maintaining a healthy work environment.
The Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association (VRLTA), Virginia health officials, and restaurants have partnered to develop The Virginia Restaurant Promise, a set of commitments to employees and customers. To ensure everyone’s safety as we welcome you back into our restaurant, we ask that we make the following promises to each other. Display the poster in your establishment!
Covid-safe guidelines, resources and supplies for churches can be found here
Event Safety Alliance has created a Reopening Guide for event professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
PPE Supply Resources for Reopening
PPE – Virginia Department of General Services
COVID-19 Emergency Vendor List
Sneeze Guards & Hand Sanitizer – Snap Office Supplies
Snap Supplies, 11623 Busy Street, Richmond, VA 23236
Gloves & Masks – Virginia Industries for the Blind
Amy Jones, Business Development Sales
amy.jones@vibonline.org, 804-357-0996
PPE Items – Target Marketing
Tammy Brooks
brooksie@targetmarketing.com, 804-916-1232
Additional Resources
The National Development Council (NDC) has released training free webinars to assist small business owners who have been affected by the pandemic
Virginia Economic Development Partnership International Trade Webinar Series
Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) Resources
Women’s Business Center (WBC) Resources
Medical Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Supply Chain for Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia is in need of five types of medical use PPE to support healthcare workers, first responders and public works to combat COVID 19. In addition, demand for non-medical use PPE is also increasing as the economy reopens.
GENEDGE, in partnership with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Virginia Manufacturers Association, Virginia Department of Health and, the Department of Labor and Industry have developed a “Playbook” to focus on helping Virginia manufacturers interested in retooling to produce medical PPE.
The COVID-19 PPE Retooling Playbook includes:
• Descriptions of critical PPE types in demand by the Commonwealth of Virginia
• Overview of regulatory and approving agencies for medical devices and considerations for manufacturers
• End-to-end process map for Virginia manufacturers
• Resources to leverage for additional assistance
To facilitate the solution, GENEDGE is bringing together manufacturers from across Virginia to address the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) that is hitting health care providers hard. The Virginia Supply Chain Connector is an effort to build a Virginia-based supply chain for PPE. The connector will link buyers and manufacturers and end users.
Register here to:
• Post your capabilities for manufacturing
