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April 19, 2017

LOCAL WISE COUNTY ENTREPRENEUR WIN $5,000 IN SMALL BUSINESS CHALLENGE

 

PRESS RELEASE

July 7, 2015

People Incorporated announces the winners of the Wise County and City of Norton Entrepreneur Challenge at the Wise County and City of Norton Chamber of Commerce Business Appreciation Awards Luncheon – top prize of $5,000 to Nathan Ormes, owner of Cliffhanger Ranch  Adventure Outpost in Coeburn, Va, and second prize to Jennifer Bailey, owner of Sugar Hill Brewing Company in St. Paul, VA.

Abingdon, Virginia – People Incorporated is pleased to announce that it awarded the top Business Plan prize of $5,000 to Nathan Ormes, owner of Cliffhanger Ranch Adventure Outpost in Coeburn Virginia. Cliffhanger Ranch will be a tourism destination specifically created to explore the hidden adventures in Wise County and the surrounding Southwest Virginia area. The Ormes family has dedicated several years in planning and development for Cliffhanger Ranch. The initial products and services will include camping, hiking, canoeing, horseback riding, mountain biking, etc. Nathan Ormes “plans to take advantage of increased tourism throughout Virginia and is looking forward to collaborating with other regional tourism efforts such as Spearhead Trails to showcase the natural beauty of Southwest Virginia”. Nathan plans to use the $5,000 award for working capital to begin operations and open the business.

Jennifer Bailey won second prize of $500 for her business, Sugar Hill Brewing Company; she plans to use this award to complete “an enthusiastic marketing campaign and enhanced web design.” Sugar Hill Brewing Company, LLC, owned by Jennifer Bailey and her husband Greg, will be a brewery and restaurant, or “brewpub”, operating in the town of St. Paul, Virginia. Several varieties of craft beer will be offered, in addition to fresh food, upbeat attitudes, and excellent service. This business will be incorporated into an existing building in the heart of the downtown historical district that already houses two other businesses: Bailey Hardware and St. Paul Suites and Cottages.

Nathan Ormes and Jennifer Bailey recently attended and completed the Wise County/City of Norton Entrepreneur Challenge hosted by People Incorporated that was held for local entrepreneurs/small business owners for eight weeks at Alumni Hall at 1 College Avenue in Wise, adjacent to UVA Wise college campus. The facility for the workshops was generously provided by the UVA Wise Alumni Association.  Of the 19 participants, 12 submitted and presented business plans for the Challenge. All prize money awarded is to be used as working capital for the businesses. “We are committed to encouraging small business growth in our communities, improving the lives of those taking the leap toward small business ownership as well as cultivating a better quality of life for all of our residents”, stated Rob Goldsmith, President and CEO of People Incorporated.  Workshops were facilitated by People Incorporated and were funded through the Appalachian Regional Commission, Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Revitalization Commission and Wells Fargo Bank.

 

About People Incorporated of Virginia

People Incorporated is a non-profit Community Action Agency and Community Development Corporation committed to providing opportunities for people to reach their goals in order to enhance their lives, families, and communities. People Incorporated develops programs and strategies that are designed to move people and communities into the economic mainstream. In 2014, People Incorporated provided services to more than 6,400 clients and generated an economic impact of over $59 million in communities throughout Virginia. For more information about People Incorporated’s programs and services contact the Abingdon office at 276-623-9000 or visit us at www.peopleinc.net“>http://www.peopleinc.net“>www.peopleinc.net .

About People Incorporated Financial Services

Headquartered in Abingdon, VA, People Incorporated Financial Services is a non-profit, certified Community Development Financial Institution that promotes economic self-sufficiency and access to capital for low-income residents and communities by providing business development and lending services, technical assistance, financial and credit literacy training, and marketing services to help businesses attract private investment and create jobs.  Since 1992, People Incorporated Financial Services has deployed over $47.3 million in loan funds, and has helped to create and/or retain over 2,600 jobs in low-income communities.

People Incorporated Financial Services is an affiliate corporation of People Incorporated, one of the nation’s most successful and innovative Community Action Agencies. For more information about People Incorporated’s programs and services visit People Incorporated on the web at www.peopleinc.net“>http://www.peopleinc.net“>www.peopleinc.net.