The Region 2000 Small Business Development Center is holding a workshop on grants, venture capital and investments for technology innovators. Here is a press release from the SBDC:

The Region 2000 Small Business Development Center, Technology Council, and the Center for Advanced Engineering & Research will sponsor a CIT session on “Funding your Tech Development:  Intro to SBIR Grants and Venture Capital”.  The workshop will provide information on federal small business innovation and technology transfer grants, venture capital, private and angel investments.  This is a FREE workshop, but advance online registration is requested due to space constraints.  The workshop will be held on Thursday, September 30, from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM at the Business Development Centre, 147 Mill Ridge Road, Lynchburg.  Registration and more information at www.cit.org/events.  Please call the Region 2000 SBDC at (434) 582-6170 if you have questions.

Joel Williams

A new book written by area experts, including Joel Williams of Blacksburg, will answer questions about finances during difficult economic times. Here is a press release from the becher agency:

Joel S. Williams, one of the region’s leading financial experts, was selected for his industry knowledge to be included in a new book, “The Complete Guide to Estate & Financial Planning in Turbulent Times.”

As a contributing author, Williams answers questions the public is asking during these challenging times. The book, published by Collaborative Press, covers such topics as preparing for the planning process, determining risk tolerances, and protecting assets.

Proceeds from the sale of the book ($29.95) will benefit the Community Foundation of the New River Valley. Read more »

The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to be careful with credit repair companies. Here is a press release from the bureau:

The BBB serving Western Virginina is receiving inquiries on helpmycreditnow.com. Consumers state that they are seeing fliers from the firm around the area. According to information from the BBB in Northeast Florida, helpmycreditnow.com has an “F” rating with the BBB due to concern with the industry in which the film operates as well as insufficient background information on the firm. Read more »

Botetourt County has received the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting. Here is a press release from the county:

For the fifth year in a row, Botetourt County has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA).

This is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. Its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.
The CAFR had been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, including demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users to read it. Read more »

Employees who were laid off from TECHMA U.S.A. in Gretna have been approved for federal assistance. Here is a press release from the Office of Tom Perriello:

Congressman Tom Perriello announced today that the workers who lost their jobs as a result of the layoffs at TECHMA U.S.A. in Gretna will be eligible to receive federal Trade Adjustment Assistance from funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The benefits will assist workers with job retraining and health care premium payments. Any worker who lost his or her job on or after February 3, 2009 is eligible to receive the TAA assistance. Read more »

Virginia’s Appalachian Power customers will see a slight decrease in their bills next month. Here is a press release from AEP:

Appalachian power customers in Virginia will see a slight drop in their electric rate starting August 1 when two rate changes take effect. The company will implement a $61.5 million annual increase in base rates and a $101 million annual decrease in the fuel factor. The result is a net decrease of just under 2 percent.

For a residential customer using about 1,000 kilowatt-hours a month, the rate will drop from $105. 18 to $103.48. Both rates include sales and consumption taxes totally $1.61. Read more »

The Board of Directors of American Electric Power Co. today declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of 42 cents a share on the company’s common stock.

The dividend is payable Sept. 10, 2010, to shareholders of record as of Aug. 10, 2010, and is the company’s 401st consecutive quarterly stock cash dividend. AEP has paid a cash dividend on its common stock every quarter since July 1910.

submitted by American Electric Power

The City of Roanoke is organizing a workshop to help area business owners understand local and state taxes. Here is a press release from the city:

The City of Roanoke will be a co-sponsor along with Valley Bank and the Virginia Department of Business Assistance of  “Taxes in Business Workshop: Learn the What, When and Why” to be held Wednesday, Aug. 4, from 7:30 to 10 a.m. at Virginia Western Community College. The location of the workshop will be Virginia Western’s Natural Science Center, adjacent to the Community Arboretum Greenhouse. Read more »

Hope Player has written a book called Find the Numbers for Your Business Plan. Player was a resident of the Roanoke Valley for more than twenty years and a business owner from 1987 to 2001 before moving to New Jersey with her Husband, Jim Pappas, a Realtor with then Owens & Company.

The economy is tough, so isn’t this the best time to be in charge of your destiny? Find The Numbers For Your Business Plan (Full Court Press, 2010) helps you understand your own personal financial situation and allows you to start your business knowing you can make a living while you build your dream! Use this book if you: a) want to start a service business; b) will operated from your home or a small office; and c) estimated that start-up costs are modest. Read more »