On November 15, The Virginia Enterprise Initiative (VEI) will hold an informational workshop highlighting partnership and funding opportunities that can extend training, technical assistance, and capital to Virginia's next wave of very small and emerging businesses.
 
Nonprofit organizations, local governments, economic development professionals and community members working to support micro-enterprises in their area are invited to attend the workshop.
 
VEI, Virginia's micro-enterprise initiative, provides financial resources to nonprofit organizations that specialize in the delivery of training, support, technical assistance, and loans to for-profit businesses that employ five or fewer people. These individual entrepreneurs often lack access to business training or traditional credit, and many are minorities, women, and low-income Virginians. The ultimate goal of the program is to help people become economically independent by supporting them in their pursuit of starting and expanding their own business.
 
An often overlooked economic force, micro-businesses comprise well over 80% of all businesses in Virginia. The "unexpected entrepreneur" exists in all corners of the state and VEI strives to reach each one. VEI is a program of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.
 
To register for the meeting, contact Doug Jackson at douglas.jackson@dhcd.virginia.gov or (276) 780-3244. There is no cost to attend.