2019 Washington County Business Plan Challenge

Mike Spiegler, principal partner in Spiegler and Blevins CPA’s, has announced that Spiegler and Blevins will again contribute one (1) year of CPA services that includes hosted software, monthly bookkeeping/CFO service, quarterly financial review, annual tax planning and annual tax preparation to the overall winner of the 6^th annual Business Plan Challenge; in the start – up business category. The value of the package is over $6,000. The Washington County Business Plan Challenge has assisted 18 start – up businesses and 17 expanding businesses in the past 5 years. Mike Spiegler and Rob Blevins have been volunteers for the Challenge since its inception. “As a member of the Board of Directors of Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator, I recognize the importance of entrepreneurship in any community, said Spiegler. The Business Plan Challenge has proven to be an important tool in fostering small business growth in Abingdon and Washington County. We are committed to contributing to the welfare of our community and look forward to our continued relationship with the Business Challenge group.”

John Martin, partner at PennStuart, will again contribute the business start-up formation, i.e. LLC, B Corp, partnership, C Corp etc. (winning contestant is responsible for filing fees) A value of $2500.

Highlands Union Bank, in addition to their corporate sponsorship, will award $1500 for the Best Pitch.

J. J.’s Restaurant will award $1,000 for the Most Knowledgeable Business Idea.

Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator will award half price rent for one (1) year.

Washington County Chamber of Commerce will award 1-year free Chamber memberships to all first and second place winners.

Food City provides food gift cards and printing, and the Bristol Herald Courier has been an annual sponsor since 2014.

A new award to the 2019 Challenge is the Emory & Henry Business Innovation Award

The Emory & Henry Business Innovation Award will provide $5,000 to either a start-up or existing business expansion in either Meadowview or Glade Spring.  Strongest preference is for a for-profit business that will pursue continuing certification as a B-Corporation and help foster economic and community development in the Glade Spring-Emory-Meadowview-Saltville (GEMS) corridor.

1.     $5,000, provided by Emory & Henry College and its Appalachian Center for Civic Life

2.     Either start-up business proposals or existing business expansion proposals are eligible

3.     Must be located in either Glade Spring or Meadowview

4.     Must create a minimum of 1 full-time job 

5.     Preference will be for the proposal that either already has or will pursue ongoing certification as a B Corporation (committed to “creating a shared durable prosperity for all” in the Glade Spring-Emory-Meadowview-Saltville (GEMS) corridor.

6.     Winning business owner must become a participating member of the GEMS steering committee.

All past participants are eligible to attend the classes and receive free education or to participate as a contestant if they have not been a first-place winner of either category. Everyone interested in expanding or starting a business in the towns in Washington County are encouraged to enter. 

The 6^th annual Business Plan Challenge deadline to register is January 11, 2019. The classes begin January 22, 2019. All classes will be held at Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator. To register go to www.washingtonvachamber.org/business_challenge . Interested participants may inquire at (276) 628-8141 or (276) 492-2062 to receive more information.