Three Firms Graduate from West Piedmont Bus. Development Center
May 16, 2010
The West Piedmont Business Development Center is proud to announce the graduation of three firms: Enterprise Consulting Partners, The Law Offices of Andrew Hall and Martinsville Area Community Foundation.
From: E-Newsletter for West Piedmont Business Development
Center, May 17, 2010
Three Firms to Graduate from WPBDC
The West Piedmont Business Development Center is proud to announce the graduation of three firms: Enterprise Consulting Partners, The Law Offices of Andrew Hall and Martinsville Area Community Foundation.
Enterprise Consulting Partners (ECP), a document imaging and management company, began operations in the West Piedmont Business Development Center in September 2005. After undergoing several expansions during their time in the Center, the company is now graduating to Franklin County, home of ECP Director Floyd Williams. Williams stated "ECP has been able to take advantage of the flexibility offered within the business incubator by expanding our office space as the need arose. This flexibility allowed us to control costs and stay focused on serving our customers' needs." ECP will be graduating from the facility in May 2010.
The Law Office of Andrew Hall opened in the West Piedmont Business Development Center in April 2009. Hall's firm specializes in criminal defense, family and corporate law. "The resources provided through the WPBDC made it possible to get our office up and running in a professional atmosphere while saving both time and money," stated Hall. The Law Office of Andrew Hall graduated from the West Piedmont Business Development Center in April and is now located at 60 West Church Street in Martinsville.
Martinsville Area Community Foundation (MACF) is a philanthropic organization serving the City of Martinsville, Henry County and the surrounding communities. The foundation established its operation in the West Piedmont Business Development Center in 2005 and currently administers 20 endowment funds with total assets exceeding $11 million. MACF Executive Director April Haynes stated "The WPBDC was the perfect place for Martinsville Area Community Foundation to start its daily operations. It offered a wonderful environment that assisted with our growth and development. The uptown space and shared equipment and services are a great asset to any start-up business. We are thankful that the incubator is here to assist in the economic development of our community." The Martinsville Area Community Foundation will be moving their offices to The Clocktower at Commonwealth Centre in June 2010.
"Our main goal is to produce successful firms that leave our program financially viable and freestanding," stated Tiffani Underwood, WPBDC Executive Director. "The West Piedmont Business Development Center is proud to have played a role in the successful development of these three businesses."
Upcoming Events
Technology Fair Workshop
May 20, 6 - 8 pm, Patrick Henry Community College
This workshop will be instructed by experts on the topics of social networking (FaceBook, MySpace, and Twitter), Cyber Bullying, Google Applications, Cell Phones and Smart Phones. Community partners will share the latest news in technology and give participants an opportunity to test the latest trends. To register, call 276.656.0260.
WPBDC Tenant Networking Luncheon - Commercial Insurance Needs
May 25, 12 pm, West Piedmont Business Development Center
Is your business covered? Find out everything you need to know during this informative session on commercial insurance needs by small business owner and local insurance agent Jay Judkins. To register, contact Melissa Hall at 403.5080 or mhall@wpbdc.org.
Social Networking Workshop
June 8, 10 am, New College Institute
Why should your business be on Facebook? Just a few of the benefits include new clients, cheap marketing, and increased website traffic. Jennifer Doss, Director of the EDC's Tourism Division will explain the basics of social networking and how to make it work for your business. Registration is limited to 30 people. Walk-ins are not allowed so be sure to register early by visiting http://www.yesmartinsville.com/index.cfm/go/events.details/ID/32.
Expanding Your Business Through Exporting
June 24, 9 am, Virginia Museum of Natural History
Along with a local panel of exporters, Ralph Torning, International Trade Manager for the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, will discuss the benefits of exporting, exporting assistance programs, time commitments and how to pick the right foreign market. To register, visit http://www.yesmartinsville.com/index.cfm/go/events.details/ID/33
To learn more about the West Piedmont Business Development Center and how we can help grow your business, please visit our website at http://www.wpbdc.org/ or call 276.638.2523.
