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Ways for Entrepreneurs to $Get Green$ in the Virginia Mountains

NEW!
Virginia Green Travel Site www.VirginiaGreenTravel.org, a new Web site dedicated to environmentally friendly travel in Virginia was recently launched. The new travel site supports Virginia Green, a partnership between the Virginia Tourism Corporation and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) that promotes environmentally friendly practices in Virginia’s tourism industry.

Entrepreneurs and Ecopreneurs:


Are you interested in moving to the country and operating a B & B, an outfitter business, a specialty food, drink or other business, or another tourism-related venture?

Here are some resources for starting your own business in the Virginia Mountains.

Financing and Business Assistance

  • Ninth District Development Financing (NDDF) organization administered through People, Inc in Abingdon. This program currently has $300,000 available for loans to tourism-related businesses. Current interest rate is prime less 2 (6%). Web site is www.nddf.org
  • "CDFI" (Community Development Financing) program for micro-business loans up to $100,000 (does not have to be tourism business). Interest rate is usually between 8 - 11% on those depending on collateral, risk, and type of business. http://www.peopleincorp.org/swvacdf.html
  • Natural Capital Investment Fund, provides debt and equity financing for resource-based businesses. Eligible businesses include heritage and eco-tourism sectors. www.ncifund.org
  • Virginia Enterprise Initiative -Business Start focuses on microenterprise development and self-employment. Enterprise loans up to $35,000 for start up. Business expansion loans from $1,000 to $200,000. www.businessstart.org
  • Virginia Small Business Financing Authority. Nearest office is the Virginia Highlands Small Business Development Center in Abingdon which now serves all of Smyth County with free business consulting services. Contact person is Jim Tilley at 276-739-2515 or jtilley@vhcc.edu. or the visit the web site at www.dba.virginia.gov/financing
  • Mount Rogers Planning District Commission loan funds program. Contact is Brian Martin, (276) 783-5103 http://www.mrpdc.org/docs/rlfbrochure.pdf or visit the Mount Rogers Planning District Commission web site at www.mrpdc.org
  • Virginia Tourism Corporation Marketing Leverage Program is designed to stimulate new tourism marketing programs through the creation of local, area, and regional tourism partnerships. The objective of this program is to leverage limited marketing dollars resulting increased visitor spending. www.vatc.org
  • Appalachian Regional Commission, Resources for Building and Sustaining a Business. Visit http://www.arc.gov/index.do?nodeId=1732

Available property

© 2010 Smyth County Tourism Association
Promoting Smyth County, Virginia and the Towns of Marion, Chilhowie, and Saltville.
408 Whitetop Road, Chilhowie, VA 24319
Tel: 276-646-3306 | Fax: 276-646-3301 | 
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