This year’s 10th annual Washington County Business Challenge will get under way from Jan. 17 to Feb. 28 with more than $36,000 in awards for start up and existing expansions within Washington County Virginia, and the towns of Abingdon, Damascus, and Glade Spring.
To recognize the success of the program, the Washington County Business Challenge will host a 10th annual reunion networking event for everyone who has participated in the event since the beginning. The event will be held at 6 p.m. on Jan. 10 at the Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator in Abingdon.
According to Cathy Lowe, executive director of the Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator, the event is one of the longest running business challenges in the region, having received as many as 100 applicants since its formation in 2014.
“Out of that number, 68 applicants are still in business. That’s a huge percentage of start-up businesses,” she said.
“I believe the Washington County Business Plan Challenge is the most successful business development program in Virginia and we gain momentum annually,” Lowe said. She attributes the success to a partnership with the Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator, the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Community Capital, and the Economic Development Department of the Town of the Abingdon.
