COVID-19 Updates

New regulations that impact businesses have been published by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.  Check out this one-page resource to find updates and tools to assist businesses in navigating the new Emergency Standards.

COVID affects businesses without distinction.  The localities of the MidPen are stepping up to help!  Check out these ways that each MidPen locality is assisting impacted businesses by covering a portion of the increased costs incurred in response to social distancing and compliance with new health and safety requirements. This grant program is designed to reimburse the increased cost of changed business practices that have been spent in response to the pandemic but not cover the normal cost of operating the business. 

The Commonwealth has hired BBC Research & Consulting to conduct a Disparity Study to assess barriers for minority and women-owned businesses that make it more difficult to compete for Virginia contracts.  If you want to learn more, check out registration here.

The Virginia Small Business Development Centers Network Staff are located throughout the state and are able to meet with you virtually (phone or web conferencing) to assist with your questions. The SBDC team offers confidential, no-cost technical assistance to help create a strategy specific to your business needs, and your local SBDC has community contacts, specialized expertise, and resources that will strengthen your efforts.  In addition, check out their Recovery Resource page for helpful information.

On April 30, 2020 Middlesex County released its Face-Covering Resolution approved by the Board of Supervisors to help alleviate the spread of the COVID-19 virus.  The County's resolution here addresses the wearing of face masks and signage.