This is the first session of the Washington County Business Challenge and is focused on all aspects of starting a business to include developing a business plan, steps to forming a business entity, licensing/registration and more.

The Business Challenge program is an ambitious business plan competition designed to attract entrepreneurs with new technology, value added agriculture, outdoor recreation and retail/support service businesses to locate their start up or to expand their existing business within Washington County. (1) One start up and (1) one existing business will win $5,000 each towards implementing their winning business strategy. To be considered for the award, participants must by resident of Washington County or Town of Abingdon, Damascus or Glade Spring, attend all of the Challenge business training classes to be held weekly over a six week period and complete a business plan that will be presented before a panel of 4 live judges and 3 “blind” judges. Classes will begin on February 3, 2015 and will be held at 6:00 p.m. weekly. The classes will end on March 10, 2015.

To apply for the Business Challenge, please contact the Washington County Chamber of Commerce at 276-628-8141 or visit www.washingtonvachamber.org. Applications for the Challenge will be accepted through 5:00 pm on January 16, 2015. Space is limited and will be on a first come first serve basis. Information and updates can also be found and shared on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WashingtonBusinessChallenge or contact www.vhsbi.com.