Town of Clarksville Virginia

From Sonali George at Microsoft:

We are pleased to announce the call for applications to the Microsoft Community Empowerment Fund: Boydton (Fall 2020) is now open.

Microsoft is committed to the long-term health of the local communities where the

Microsoft is committed to the long-term health of the local communities where we operate datacenters. As part of this commitment, we look to fund projects that promote social, economic, and civic equity in the Mecklenburg, Halifax, Charlotte, Lunenburg and Brunswick counties. We would like all projects to leverage community cohesion and partnerships to accelerate positive change.

For this funding cycle, our funding priority categories are

Broadband Expansion: Leverage technology skills and resources to connect rural communities to cloud, to help close the digital divide and to continue to work with Airband team to identify rural broadband opportunities.

Workforce Development/ Educational Opportunities: Invest in programs and build on partnerships to deliver workforce development opportunities for the present and future workforce of the region.

Regional Quality of Life: Invest in projects that improve the regional quality of life through increase in access to recreational services, promotion of the arts and culture, increase in environmental sustainability practices, access to community health, increase child and family resources in the community, promote volunteerism, etc.

The deadline for receiving applications is September 30, 2020.Please visit the below sway link for more details about the application process and to download the application form. Also, attached is the application form.

Applications must be relevant to the funding categories and meet Microsoft’s eligibility requirements. Please send the completed application form to dcabva@nullmicrosoft.com. ONLY FULLY COMPLETED APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Microsoft representatives and members of our local Community Advisory Board will review applications by October 30,2020. Finalists will be contacted at that time and asked to provide additional information as necessary in compliance with Microsoft’s Conflict of Interest, Anti-Corruption, Anti-Discrimination, and Charitable Donations policies. Awards will be announced by November 30,2020. If you have any questions, please contact us at dcabva@nullmicrosoft.com

Thanks,

Sonali George

DCAB Application Form Boydton_Fall Funding 2020

The 43rd Annual Lakefest has been canceled. The Board of Directors of the Clarksville Chamber of Commerce has decided to cancel due to the Phase 3 restrictions in hosting large events, which would only allow 1000 attendees, and as we all know, Lakefest is a largely attended event. It wasn’t an easy decision due to the economic impact Lakefest has for the county but it is in our best interest for us to hold value to the well being and safety of our community and for those attending.

Wine Festival CANCELED FOR August 29^th. The Clarksville Lake Country Wine Festival slated for August 29th has been canceled. The Board of Directors of the Clarksville Chamber of Commerce has decided to cancel the Wine Festival in light of the continuing presence of the COVID 19 virus in Mecklenburg County.  Executive Director Sheila Cuykendall has been working closely with the Health Department and the ABC to make the Festival as safe as possible.   Even though all protocols were followed, the Board felt the risk to the Town and its citizens was too great to take.  Director Cuykendall said “We are very disappointed to be forced to cancel but believe the health and welfare of the Town and all its citizens is a priority now.   We will be back next year with a bigger and better Festival.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Rachel Reynolds

rachel.reynolds@nullialr.org

434-766-6771

GO VA Region 3 Aids Regional Coalitions for COVID-19 Recovery

The Southern Virginia Regional Alliance (SVRA) and Virginia’s Growth Alliance (VGA) have joined forces with a number of other collaborative partners to create a Bridge to Recovery program to support the GO Virginia Region 3 service area as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

GO Virginia State Board approved $925,000 for Bridge to Recovery to provide immediate and impactful support to businesses through the multiple recovery periods of the pandemic and bridge supply chain needs of companies with service providers.

“This is wonderful news for Region 3,” said chairman Randy Lail. “These projects relate to the impact that COVID-19 has had on businesses throughout our region, specifically the Bridge to Recovery project led by Southern Virginia Regional Alliance and Virginia’s Growth Alliance. These two regional economic development organizations span all of Region 3 and will bring needed resources to help businesses recover.” He adds, “These projects also illustrate the ability of GO Virginia to pivot quickly as circumstances change.”

Bridge to Recovery will create a network that enables businesses who need specific professional services or products due to COVID-19, to connect with businesses in the Region 3 footprint who have those services and products. Those with the alliances hope to make it an efficient way for businesses to find what they need to re-open or grow during this unusual economic situation.

The program’s vision is to ensure the support is immediate, that it deploys the GO Virginia contributions to work inside the region and that it makes a lasting impact on the businesses it supports. The funds will be leveraged by organizational match with potential for public and private sector contributions and will provide support to businesses located within all localities in GO Virginia Region 3.

SVRA economic developers and partners formed the SoVa COVID-19 Task Force and expanded to include chambers of commerce across the SVRA region in March. Virginia’s Growth Alliance joined the effort and, in April, expanded it across the eastern GO Virginia Region 3 territory. Region 3 territory consists of the cities of Danville and Martinsville and the counties of Amelia, Brunswick, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Halifax, Henry, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Patrick, Pittsylvania, and Prince Edward. The Task Force has polled, surveyed and benchmarked data for existing industry needs and best practices among other regions and states. The Bridge to Recovery program supports further assessment of supply chain needs for recovery as well as identification of suppliers. In addition, it provides funding for the company or service provider solutions and PPE needs.

The following businesses are invited to apply as a prequalified supplier:

• Suppliers of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Companies who provide PPE conversions (construction and building projects for COVID-19)
• Service providers who help companies with COVID-19 issues (i.e. accounting, legal, human resources, deep cleans, etc.)

Utilizing companies on this prequalified supplier listing will allow businesses to receive a cost match payment to suppliers of up to $20,000.

Apply online at www.SoVaBridgeToRecovery.com to be on the list of prequalified suppliers and to apply for funding to support COVID-19 recovery work for your business or contact Lgreen@nullSVRA.org or Jeff@nullvagrowth.com.

GOVA Bridge to Recovery Press Release

We regret to announce that we have to cancel (postpone) the remaining Lake Life Live
events for 2020. Our purpose from the beginning has been to give our patrons a summer
of Beach Music second to none. Unfortunately, with the restrictions and guidelines put in
place by the State of Virginia we are not able to provide the level of service and
entertainment that you have come to expect from Lake Life Live. The health and safety
of our patrons, volunteers, sponsors, and entertainers is the primary emphasis of our
Board of Directors. This decision was made in the best interest of everyone involved.
We have been able to reschedule most of the band to 2021. Lake Life Live will release
our 2021 schedule in the near future. We would like to thank the sponsors that signed on
with us before the pandemic. Your sponsorship will roll over to 2021. Thank you all for
your interest and support of Lake Life Live. We can’t wait to see you in 2021. Stay safe
& stay well!

Best Regards,
Clarksville Economic Development Association Board of Directors
Lake Life Live

LLLCancel20

Mayor Allgood has postponed the meeting of the Town Council for Tuesday, August 18^th due to unexpected conflicts.  A reschedule date has not been determined at this time but we will advise as soon as possible.

Thank you.