The towns of Kenbridge and Victoria’s efforts to bring small businesses to the area are exciting to see.

Members of the Victoria Town Council and Kenbridge Town Council discussed and decided to move forward to work as partners to begin the Community Business Launch (CBL).

The CBL is a program with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) that “assist(s) communities in taking a systems approach to defining and pursuing an asset-based small business development strategy.”

Kenbridge Town Manager Robyn Fowler said the program has seen success in South Hill and South Boston.

What may be one of the most interesting aspects of the program, which the towns are in the beginning stages of potentially developing, is that it will help the county organize a business competition. The winners of that competition, the ones who provide the most compelling idea for a new business that matches the needs the county has, will receive support and funding for its business. Think a competition like Shark Tank.

Victoria Town Manager Rodney Newton and Fowler, according to Fowler, have already seen interest from area individuals about this program and about opening small businesses of their own.

The two towns will apply for grants associated with the CBL. Newton and Fowler have also corresponded with Longwood University representatives about the program.

Fowler said the towns will put out a survey to find out what businesses people most want in the town.

Any news of growing economically is exciting. For small-business owners who live in Lunenburg County, knowing that plans are in place to potentially help support or grow your business ideas is worth pursuing, or looking into further as more information and development becomes available.

Kudos to Fowler and Newton for their proactivity in taking steps to strengthen small business growth and strengthen the area economy as a whole in the area.

Emily Hollingsworth is a staff reporter for The Kenbridge-Victoria Dispatch and Farmville Newsmedia LLC. Her email address is Emily.Hollingsworth@ KVDispatch.com.