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Published: 09 November 2013

Over 50 business and community leaders came together in the last half of 2012 and the first half of 2013 to develop a strategic plan for the Virginia's Growth Alliance region. The fruits for that effort will be released to the public on December 5th.

VGA was one of the two multi-county regions in Virginia selected to participate in a national program "Stronger Economies Together" (SET) sponsored by the US Department of Agriculture. The initiative is designed to help regional, multi-county teams develop new approaches to strengthen and enhance regional economic development activities. Virginia Cooperative Extension served as the lead entity, coordinating the involvement of a number of federal, state, and local partners in working with VGA to implement the program. Partners included USDA Rural Development, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, Virginia Tourism Corporation, Virginia Tech Office of Economic Development and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.

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Published: 31 October 2013

Dear Neighbor:

In your role as a community leader, we appreciate your support of Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center (SVRMC). Today, I am excited to share with you good news about our hospital. Thanks to the quality care provided by our medical staff and employees, SVRMC has earned the distinction of being named one of the nation's Top Performers on Key Quality Measures® by The Joint Commission for 2012.

This important designation recognizes hospitals that are effectively using evidence-based clinical processes shown to improve care for certain conditions, including heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care, children's asthma, stroke and venous thrombo embolism, as well as inpatient psychiatric services. Specifically, our hospital was recognized for the care we provide for heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, and surgical care.

This is just the latest positive development at SVRMC. These are some of the other developments that have happened over the last year at our hospital:

• Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval® for accreditation by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission's national standards for health care quality and safety in hospitals.
• By demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission's national standards for health care quality and safety in laboratories, Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center Laboratory Services earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval® for accreditation.
• We continue to be one of the area's largest private employers, with 330 dedicated healthcare practitioners and employees who serve this community.
• Last year, Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center contributed $516,328.00 n to our community in the form of local and state taxes and provided 11.7 million in uncompensated care for those who were unable to pay.

On behalf of our board of directors, we appreciate your support. It is our privilege to provide our community with quality care close to home.

Sincerely,

Eric Lachance
Chief Executive Officer

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Published: 29 October 2013

Virginia's Growth Alliance (VGA) is now in the process of implementing a comprehensive program of services to small and emerging businesses. As a result of the recommendations of the Entrepreneurship Committee of the Stronger Economies Together (SET) plan and the study highlighting the gaps in services supporting small business development by the Small Business Development Center at Longwood University, VGA is working with the Longwood Small Business Development Center, Southside Planning District Commission, Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to implement a four-pronged approach to increasing small business development throughout the region.

The four-pronged approach includes; a web portal providing access to small business services from various organizations serving the region, comprehensive education and technical assistance to small and emerging businesses, enhanced financial resources for emerging and small businesses and an aggressive marketing effort to promote these new or enhanced services.

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Published: 24 October 2013

Do you have a spark, a creative vision?

Want to grow that spark into a new business?

Longwood Small Business Development Center is proud to offer an in-depth training program designed to fully educate and empower you to be successful in starting your new business or growing your existing business.

Classes will be held every Wednesday evening, 6:00p.m – 9:00 p.m., for 12 weeks at the Lawrenceville Town Municipal Building, starting October 23rd, featuring instructors skilled in marketing, finance, and business planning.

Those who successfully complete the entire training program may APPLY for BUSINESS LOANS.

This opportunity is FREE, but registration is now closed for the current session. Stay tuned for information on the next session.

CLASSES & WORKBOOKS are provided at NO COST TO YOU!

Longwood SBDC is working with the VA Tourism, VBDA, Southside VA Community College, and your local Professionals to ensure this program is successful.