Martinsville-Henry County Chamber’s Partnership for Economic Growth (C-PEG) recognized its 2023 Startup Martinsville-Henry County graduates who recently completed the Success Mindset, an intensive eight-week entrepreneurial boot-camp program for startups.
The cash and in-kind awards for 2023 total $20,000 for startup businesses, and this year’s award recipients are E & K Caskets LLC – $3,000; Front Runner Logistics, LLC, – $4,300; Gill Fitness Training, LLC – $5,400; J & H Market – $3,200; MHC Elite Cheer & Dance – $2,500; SWAM – $1,600.
The training component of the program is provided by Patrick & Henry Community College in partnership with C-PEG, Longwood Small Business Development Center, Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation, city and county staff, and local entrepreneurs, several who are graduates of the program which began as a Community Business Launch Grant through the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.
This program has since expanded from a small footprint in Uptown Martinsville to the entire City of Martinsville and Henry County thanks to generous support from the Campbell Family Group, LLC.
Partners that support this important C-PEG economic development initiative include the City of Martinsville, Henry County, Campbell Family Group, George W. Lester II Fund and The Anonymous Fund through the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia and a three-year grant, Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission for specific industry sectors. Additionally, Appalachian Power is a sponsor of Startup and Grow MHC, and American National Bank is the small business sponsor for Chamber and C-PEG events.
With the recent graduates and awards, this initiative has had 266 graduates, and awarded 54 businesses with over $354,622 in cash and in-kind funding. This group will build on the accomplishments of Startup and Grow MHC businesses that have created over $3,556,000 in new capital investment and created 190 new jobs while maintaining an 87 percent success rate in comparison to the nationwide 50 percent average for small businesses.
All participants receive training at no cost, and any participant who opens a business will receive a one-year, free membership in the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce.
Please contact Brenell Thomas with the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce/C-PEG at (276) 632-6401 with questions regarding participation in the next program offering.
Martinsville-Henry County Chamber’s Partnership for Economic Growth (C-PEG) is an independent, yet closely aligned, charitable affiliate of the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce. C-PEG is charged with funding and supporting the area’s efforts to improve economic growth.
