Purpose:  The purpose of this program is to assist small, for profit Newport News businesses in developing through e-Commerce.

Overview:  Newport News Economic Development Authority (EDA) has agreed to help Newport News existing small private businesses grow revenues and jobs through e-Commerce, and has set aside a business assistance grant fund for that purpose.

The EDA is partnering with Virginia Electronic Commerce Technology Center (VECTEC -- for information, see www.vectec.org) to determine the readiness of interested small businesses to undertake e-Commerce projects.  VECTEC will meet with interested small businesses, advise on the type project that will help them meet their goals, and forward the information to Newport News EDA who will then make the grant awards.  Funds are awarded on a per-case basis for completed projects.

VECTEC Services include:

• search engine optimization assessment (with implementation if necessary)
• web site design and development - repair of broken and ineffectual sites
• portable, scalable shopping systems with a client administrative interface
• custom database development
• assistance with eVA (electronic Virginia) interface for businesses engaging in business to business and business to government selling online

Availability:  Grants are made on a first-come, first served basis.

Grant Amounts:  Estimated awards for most Newport News existing small private businesses are $1,500 to $2,500 each, not to exceed 50% of total project cost.

Grant Amounts (Minority and Women-owned Businesses):  Awards up to $4,500, not to exceed 50% of total project cost.

Grant Process / How Program Works

1. Interested businesses must contact VECTEC (ph. 594-7092). VECTEC's usual client interview process will determine eligibility* - projects must be legal, ethical and commercially viable, and project potential (job growth and retention, increased revenues, etc.) will be assessed.
2. Each grant award is subject to the prior review and approval of the Newport News EDA.
3. VECTEC will make recommendations for funding matches from Center for Innovative Technology and other state business assistance sources.
4. Approved Newport News grant recipients pay their portion of the project cost at time of signing of Statement of Work.
5. Newport News EDA funds pay for the remaining portion of client project cost at project completion.

Contact VECTEC at (757) 594-7092, or email newportnewsedagrants@vectec.org

*City of Newport News employees, employee spouces, EDA Board Members, spouses or other City officials and spouses are not eligible to participate in grant program.

A brochure describing the program is available for download in PDF format by clicking here.  If you do not have a PDF viewer installed on your computer (such as Adobe Acrobat Reader) you can download it here.

Contact: Tricia Wilson 
             Business Development Specialist (757-926-3793)

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