The Smithfield and Isle of Wight Convention and Visitors Bureau knows its strengths. Small-town charm, coupled with prominent names associated with the area, works in its favor.
Figures from a Virginia Tourism Corp. report showed a 6.7 percent increase in tourism’s economic impact in Isle of Wight, from 2009 to 2010.
In 2010, tourism generated more than $33 million in visitor spending, as well as $776, 257 in taxes for Smithfield and Isle of Wight. Tourism also supported 369 jobs, according to the VTC report on domestic travel in Virginia.
Employment and business supplier opportunities are available now at Green Mountain Coffee Roasters’ new facility in Windsor, Virginia.
Mike Adams, owner of Bon Vivant Market in Smithfield has been named 2011 Entrepreneur of the Year by the Isle of Wight County Department of Economic Development. This award is given out annually as part of the state’s Business Appreciation Week celebration. “It’s great to be awarded for something you love doing,” said Adams.
The Isle of Wight/Smithfield/Windsor Chamber of Commerce and the Isle of Wight Department of Economic Development will present Danny and Romayne Byrum the 2011 Farm Family of the Year Award at the Business Appreciation Luncheon on Thursday, May 5, at the Smithfield Center.
Batten Bay Farm is an all natural produce and cut flower farm owned and operated by Danny and Romayne Byrum. Located in Carrollton, Virginia, about 5 miles south of the James River Bridge, Batten Bay Farm is committed to all natural and sustainable agricultural methods for growing their crops.
The Commonwealth of Virginia will officially celebrate Business Appreciation Week May 2-6, 2011. The theme is “Entrepreneurship and Innovation for a Sustainable Future.” During that week, Isle of Wight County Economic Development will announce the 2011 Entrepreneur of the Year winner.
In the heart of historic Smithfield on the banks of the Pagan River sits Smithfield Station, a 25 year-old award winning inn, restaurant and marina with the only lighthouse where you can spend the night! Affectionately known as “The Station” to most locals, the main building is modeled after the old Coast Guard life saving stations that proliferated the coast of Virginia and North Carolina.
This one-of-a-kind, family-owned and operated business combines fine amenities, unique conference space, on-site dining and a fully equipped marina all within walking distance to art galleries, specialty shops, historic attractions and a diverse array of dining options.
Smithfield Station’s restaurant was awarded nine of Chesapeake Bay Magazine’s “2010 Best of the Bay” Awards and specializes in seafood with a preference for Smithfield’s own Lean Generation pork, pasta, salads and lighter fare.
The Station expanded in 2007 by adding 30,000 square feet for a boutique style hotel and marina complex as well as some retail space – the Boardwalk Shops at Smithfield Station.
Well, now may be the time. Incentive money is currently available to landowners through the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF). Recently, a unique funding program was established in southeast Virginia called Tomorrow Woods. The goal of this program is to conserve, establish, and enhance forests, with a focus on productive, private working forests. VDOF’s goal is to work with landowners to protect large blocks of working forests by keeping them intact and unfragmented through the development of an agreement called a conservation easement.
Lying in a hospital bed reading the local paper whilst recuperating from jaw surgery, Angie Lowry spotted a small advert for a Decorating Den franchise. That was in the summer of 1989. Today, after nearly 22 years, Angie and her husband, Peter have built their decorating franchise into one of the largest and most successful in the country, during which time Angie has received numerous awards for sales and decorating achievements.
Decorating Den Interiors is a full service interior decorating/design company serving both residential and commercial clients, with a wide array of products and services. Originally starting out forty years ago as only fabrics and wallpaper, the product line has grown to encompass just about every decorating need. Custom window treatments, blinds, shutter and shades; wallcoverings and upholstery; furniture for all rooms in the house, even outdoors; all types of flooring – carpet, wood, laminate, tile and rugs; artwork, lamps and accessories.
Does your business need help, and you’re not sure who to call? The Isle of Wight County Department of Economic Development is a resource to County businesses. We specialize in business retention, which includes outreach and advocacy, expansion and relocation assistance, and business networking and education. If you need help with marketing, financing, workforce, business planning, etc., we can put you in touch with local, regional and state agencies that can address your needs.
Just because you have a green thumb for growing plants doesn’t mean you can run a successful retail nursery business. In order to avoid the hiccups of a business start-up, you have to analyze the risks, develop a realistic business plan and proforma, set up a support team that typically includes a CPA, an attorney, a banker and an insurance advisor, maintain liquidity for the “unexpected” and remember to track your progress. Check out Lauren Harper’s (BB&T) presentation “Top 10 Ways to Avoid Start-Up Hiccups,” which was part of a recent Entrepreneur Express Workshop in Isle of Wight County.
