Business
Spectrum Awarded GREAT Grant for Warren County Broadband Services
Spectrum Awarded GREAT Grant for Warren County Broadband Services
The NC Department of Information Technology announced on August 31st that Spectrum Southeast, LLC has been awarded $4,000,000 to deploy broadband services to approximately 1434 households and businesses in Warren County. The required match of the provider is $1,408,229; the county has expressed a willingness to partner with Spectrum in helping to achieve the match.
The Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) grants are awarded from the federal American Rescue Fund Act State Fiscal Recovery Funds.
In 2021, Spectrum was also awarded a majority of the eligible Census tracts in Warren County through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) federal reverse auction; this funding supports a build out of a fiber network to eligible areas, covering approximately 2,000 households.
Warren County has worked with Spectrum since the RDOF award was announced in early 2021 to leverage federal dollars and apply for state funding as well. At their December 2021 meeting, the Board of Commissioners reached a consensus giving the County Manager authority to move forward in negotiating a partnership with Spectrum to cover homes that were not a part of the RDOF award. GREAT grant funds and county dollars will assist in supplying the funding necessary to cover these households.
Combining these programs will essentially lead to countywide availability of broadband.
Details on a construction timeline and specific household addresses that will be served are in the works.
However, both the GREAT grant and RDOF funding outline a set completion time as part of the funding requirements. The GREAT grant program has a two-year construction timeline after all agreements are finalized.
More information on RDOF can be found at https://www.fcc.gov/auction/904. More information on the GREAT grant can be found at https://www.ncbroadband.gov/grants/other-resources/great-grant-state.
Business
VIDEO: A Look at “Warren County, NC: From the Ground Up”
In partnership with Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc., Warren County Community and Economic Development released a video today highlighting several businesses in the area.
In partnership with Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc., Warren County Community and Economic Development released “Warren County, NC: From the Ground Up,” a video highlighting our diverse businesses and organizations in the area.
Warren County’s passion and commitment to building and thriving locally are the driving force behind our community’s success and culture. It’s that dedication and commitment to community that has been the backbone of our county for years. Hear from some of our small businesses about our community’s values that are the foundation for success.
Small businesses featured (in order of appearance):
AF Wake (https://afwake.com);
Working Landscapes and ByWay Foods (https://bywayfoods.com/);
Brown Family Farms (https://brownfamilyfarmscsa.com);
Kings Fitness (https://www.kingsfitnessnc.com/);
Lake Gaston Outfitters (https://www.lakegastonoutfitters.com/)
Rockin’ E Ranch (facebook.com/rockin.e.ranch)
Business
‘Biz Kidz’ Shine at Warren Farmers Market
The Warren Farmers Market was abuzz with youthful energy and entrepreneurial spirit as young business owners took center stage at the first “Biz Kidz” event.
This past weekend, the Warren Farmers Market was abuzz with youthful energy and entrepreneurial spirit as young business owners took center stage at the first “Biz Kidz” event. These aspiring entrepreneurs, many of whom were seasoned in the art of business, proudly displayed their products, impressing customers and vendors alike.
The following businesses were: Jaques, Jameya, Jaqeim, Jamaya, Jamara, and Jaquae Oliver of Oliver Kids Collection (decorated signs, and all natural, scented play-doh); Thea and Zoey Taber of Taber Treasures (crocheted coasters and potholders, bracelets, necklaces, keychains, bookmarkers); Jayden Andrews of JayRock’s Creations (hand-painted rocks); Kinsley Henderson of Sisterly Dreams Co. (cotton candy), and Olivia Burrows, who assisted as a 4H volunteer.
Whether we see them again at the Warren Farmers Market or at local festival, we look forward to seeing what these kidpreneurs do next!
Business
Duke Energy Foundation Grants VGCC $50,000 to Support Small Business Growth
The Duke Energy Foundation recently announced it has granted $50,000 to The VGCC Foundation to support small businesses in Vance, Granville, Franklin, and Warren counties.
The Duke Energy Foundation recently announced it has granted $50,000 to The VGCC Foundation to support small businesses in Vance, Granville, Franklin, and Warren counties.
The grant is part of $700,000 in new funding made available to North Carolina small businesses in partnership with community development organizations like the Small Business Center at Vance-Granville Community College. Small business grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 will be distributed through 20 community organizations to support retail shops, restaurants, and other small businesses looking to expand, upgrade technology, and improve downtown storefronts.
Now in its fourth year, the program has provided over $2 million in funding to small businesses since its inception during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Duke Energy Foundation’s small business grant program has helped fuel a resurgence of entrepreneurial small businesses ranging from bookstores to restaurants in our state,” said Kendal Bowman, North Carolina State President for Duke Energy. “These small business grants ensure Main Streets across North Carolina are well positioned to benefit from our state’s unprecedented economic growth.”
Such businesses play a critical role in the state’s economic health and employ nearly half of North Carolina’s workforce, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.
“Small businesses remain the backbone of the U.S. economy, and in rural areas, they also serve as the heartbeat of our local economies,” noted VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais. “This monetary commitment enables Vance-Granville Community College to promote the entrepreneurial mindset and support budding small business ideas into real businesses within our larger community.”
The VGCC Small Business Center will select grant fund recipients through a series of workshops, one based in each of the four counties the College serves. Each workshop session will span four evening classes (10 total hours of instruction). The sessions will culminate with a five-minute pitch contest, after which five of the session’s 10 participants will receive a $2,500 award to support their small business.
Workshop dates and locations are as follows:
Sept. 16–19: VGCC South Campus
Sept. 30 – Oct. 3: VGCC Main Campus
Oct. 7–10: VGCC Warren Campus
Oct. 14–17: VGCC Franklin Campus
To learn more about this program and participant requirements, contact VGCC Small Business Center Director Carolyn Perry at (252) 738-3240 or perryc@vgcc.edu.
For more information on the Duke Energy Foundation and its initiatives, visit duke-energy.com/Foundation.
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