Grant being offered to Tazewell County businesses to improve digital presence

TAZEWELL COUNTY, Va. (WVVA) - $90,000 is being made available to Tazewell and Buchanan County businesses through the Locus Rural Business Digital Growth Innovation Grant Program.

Businesses awarded the grant can be awarded $5,000 or more to establish and grow a website, improve digital sales as well as online marketing to potential customers.

“The interesting part about it is you’ll be paired up with a technical service provider within the region as well that are social media marketers, e-commerce, website builders, developers. That type of thing. You can choose your own or we can help match you with one that will work,” said Billie Roberts, community solutions advisor for Locus.

Roberts says rural businesses like those in Tazewell County play a big role in the local economy but often times are disadvantaged by a lack of online presence.

She says taking advantage of a grant like this can allow local businesses to find customers beyond southwest Virginia.

“The goal is to help all of the businesses be able to navigate those harder months. I think everyone’s aware that after Christmas, January through March, retail really struggles,” said Roberts. “It’s really important to support your small businesses all the time but that time especially. Hopefully we’ll be able to help these business owners with the tools they need to make it through those months a little easier.”

Applications for the grant are now being accepted and grants will be distributed until December of this year or until funding runs out.

Locus will also be having a Q and A session next week for those interested in learning more about the grant and what it can do to help your business.

For more information about the grant click here.

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