HenricoTIMES

As we celebrate Small Business Appreciation Month, we must recognize the hard work and dedication that small business owners put into their businesses. These entrepreneurs often wear many hats, from managing finances to marketing their products or services. Our economy and communities thrive on small businesses, which is why the Henrico Economic Development Authority provides programs to support them throughout their journey.   Through our new Small Business Boost program, in partnership with Henrico Citizen, small businesses can increase their advertising exposure and reach new customers. To see if your business qualifies and to learn more, visit: https://www.henricocitizen.com/henrico-small-business-boost-application-form/   Our partnership with the Central Virginia African American Chamber of Commerce's Black Business Accelerator Program helps black-owned businesses in our community grow and create job opportunities for everyone. Discover more and apply: ...

  As we celebrate International Economic Development Week, it's essential to recognize how innovative development projects can impact our communities. Projects like GreenCity , the visionary eco-district, the reimagining of Innsbrook into a mixed-use, walkable community, and Virginia Center Commons neighborhood with a state-of-the-art Sports and Events Center, retail and affordable housing have the potential to enhance the quality of life for our region greatly. GreenCity is a groundbreaking project showcasing the latest innovations in sustainable design and technology. With its emphasis on renewable energy, green spaces, and cutting-edge infrastructure, GreenCity promises to be a model for environmentally responsible development. Similarly, reimagining Innsbrook into a mixed-use, walkable community is a bold step toward creating a more livable and vibrant region. By building varied housing options, retail and dining establishments, and public spaces, Innsbrook will remain ...

Place connects us as no other thing will. In the aftermath of the two disastrous earthquakes in February in Turkey and Syria, I wanted to connect with my friends and loved ones who were either now living in Turkey or who once lived there. In the early 2000s, I was a hodophile, a "lover of roads." I had the incredible experience of living with a Turkish family and volunteering my time at a restaurant called Zekeriya Sofrasi, or "Zekeriya's Table," listed by Lonely Planet as one of the top 10 restaurants for homestyle Ottoman cuisine in the whole country. I didn't even know how to say "hello" in Turkish before I visited for the first time. Everything was so different; you could tell from a mile away that I was a tourist. I must've had the deer in the headlights look about me because before I would even open my mouth, kind-hearted shopkeepers would tell me, in English, how much something I was looking at was, would try to explain to me what thing...

  Yes, everything matters in Economic Development, but what matters most? When I wrote this post ( Everything matters in Economic Development | LinkedIn ) in 2019, I had three years of experience at VEDP and truly developed a passion for economic development. Little did I know three years after writing that post, I would be a part of the local team in Henrico and would have to take my own advice.  While the world has changed significantly over the last three years, and our roles as economic developers are constantly shifting, one thing still rings true: everything matters in economic development. In my first 6+ months in Henrico, I have only cracked the surface of what it takes to do local economic development, but I can tell you one thing: there is so much more to it than what you think,  and I love it .  “Everything matters in economic development” hits a lot closer to home now that I have had a glimpse of it from the local side. I could not be more ex...

Anthony J. Romanello - Interest rates are rising. Inflation won’t loosen its grip. Supply chains still vex. And COVID-19 is the houseguest that takes a seat even after you announce its leave o’clock. So, what’s next for those of us who work to grow the economies of our localities? Here’s the good news for Henrico: We have a plan. We have a road map. We are taking the reins and creating our big picture by focusing on the fine details. And our economy – supported by three pillars – is not dimmed by our present, but rather brightened by our possible. Pillar One: People  Pillar Two: Place  Pillar Three: Opportunity People By collaborating with our private sector partners, we continue to advance Small, Women-Owned and Minority (SWaM) and Environmental, Sustainability, and Governance (ESG) goals. We do this not only because it is the right thing to do but also because it is just good business sense. In addition, with every business expansion, relocation, and grand opening, we are mi...