Every woman entrepreneur deserves to live in a community in which they can connect with others, share experiences and ideas, learn new skills, and have access to the kind of support they need to thrive. that is why the City of Augusta is comprised of programs and services that cultivate the spirit of entrepreneurship by supporting women founders to grow their businesses. Read this article for more insight into the resources available to start or expand your business in the City of Augusta. Happy reading.
Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce
The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce is committed to supporting women-owned businesses by advocating for their needs and interests and enhancing the business climate to promote women’s success in the field. Are you interested in improving your business growth? Are you willing to make a profitable investment in business opportunities to maximize your growth potential? Consider joining the chamber. The chamber will help you achieve your dreams through programs and services that enhance your business profitability and your success. The chamber of commerce has a Women in Business Committee that organizes annual events and provides services that enhance the professional growth of women and support their success in the City of Augusta. For more details, please visit https://www.augustametrochamber.com/.
Augusta Economic Development Authority
Augusta Economic Development Authority helps in attracting more businesses in the industrial, manufacturing, and distribution areas. How do they achieve their mission? The authority provides services and resources to help women entrepreneurs start successful businesses. The Authority also provides incentives to facilitate expansion and retention of the existing women-owned businesses. The authority has excellent customer service that provides information whenever you need it. You can always get notified about the changes in the programs and services through text messages and emails. Visit https://www.augustaga.gov/list.aspx. Learn more about the Augusta Economic Development Authority at https://www.augustaga.gov/874/Augusta-Economic-Development-Authority.
Augusta Regional Collaboration (ARC) Corporation
ARC was established in 2012 to improve the quality of life of residents by working with women entrepreneurs and economic development groups to increase the number of businesses, improve the financial status of the City of Augusta, and enhance the living standard of the community. The corporation creates business partnerships that enable women entrepreneurs to thrive. The goals are to make use of the available economic development tools to enhance the growth and productivity of businesses and industries to help create more resources and improve the status of the economy of the City of Augusta. Find out more at http://augustacollaboration.org/.
Augusta Tomorrow, Inc.
The Augusta Tomorrow, Inc. is a non-profit organization committed to improving the local economy of the community through promoting and encouraging the development of the City of Augusta. How does the organization achieve its mission? The organization’s board identifies the development and redevelopment needs and work in partnership with both public and private developers to make the City of Augusta a better place where women-owned businesses can thrive. Read more bout the organization at https://www.augustaga.gov/1187/Augusta-Tomorrow-Inc.
Downtown Development Authority
The Downtown Development Authority works to provide programs and services to help improve the development of the economy of Downtown Augusta. Services include support to women-owned businesses that are active contributors to the wellbeing of the local economy. For more details, please visit http://www.myaugustadowntown.com/.
Working for Women (W4W)
Working for Women aims to help women achieve economic independence by improving the number of female workers and supporting the growth of their businesses. The organization strives to strengthen business relationships, especially those involved in making changes in the community. Through this organization, women entrepreneurs can get access to financial support and enhance their capacity. For more details, please visit https://www.workingforwomen.org/about-us/.
Augusta County Small Business Loan Fund
The program provides financial assistance to women entrepreneurs with a viable business plan and is ready to get started. Financial support is through loans ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 to those eligible for assistance. want to apply? Visit https://augustavabusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Augusta-County-Loan-Application.docx to fill out the loan application form.
Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
If you want to get started with a business plan or make your enterprise grow, please consider seeking help from SBDC. The center provides consulting and other support services to women entrepreneurs to enable them to start, make a viable plan, or grow your business. All business women and upcoming entrepreneurs can always make good use of the SBDC services, regardless of gender, race, color, nationality, or race, as long as you live in Augusta County or you are planning to relocate your enterprise in the region. Consultation services can be accessed anytime between 8 am and 5 pm on Tuesdays and Fridays, although, you have to book an appointment. Other than consultation, SBDC holds workshops to help new women business owners to know what is expected of them in their journey of entrepreneurship. Want to learn more about SBDC services and resources for starting your own business, please visit http://www.valleysbdc.org/.
Shenandoah Valley Angel Investors (SVAI)
SVAI is a community of private investors that support women entrepreneurs through funding to help them grow and expand their businesses. SVAI offers financial support to women entrepreneurs in many industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, insurance, agriculture, technology among others. They mostly focus on investing in women-owned startups or businesses in the early development stages. They provide funds ranging from $50,000 to $300,000. To qualify for the program assistance, you must meet certain requirements. Once you submit your application form, the organization’s review committee determines your qualifications based on your market potential, ability to generate employment opportunities, competition, scalability, and potential returns on the investment. Do you have the potential of achieving business expansion? Remember, the SVAI wants to invest in companies that will promise higher returns and able to make difference in the community through their services. for more details, please reach out via gwpace1@comcast.net.
Augusta-Richmond County Small Business Incubator
The program provides women entrepreneurs with reduced rates coworking spaces to enable them smoothly carry out their business operations. The program also provides networking opportunities to businesswomen and seminars to sharpen their entrepreneurial skills. Please note that the program helps women entrepreneurs within Augusta, and are looking to launch a new business idea. You should also be aware that you must demonstrate the ability to finance your business during the startup stage. Read more at http://www.arcsbi.com/index.asp.