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Bon Secours commits another $50,000 to East End Entrepreneurs

SEED funding, now totaling $150,000, builds on program’s 2011 and 2012 success

Bon Secours Richmond Health System today announced the third phase of its Supporting East End Entrepreneurship Development (SEED) program. This will provide another round of $50,000 in renewable funding, bringing its total commitment to $150,000 in three years from the Bon Secours Richmond Health System towards revitalization efforts in Richmond’s East End.

Created in 2011 by Bon Secours in partnership with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), SEED is designed to foster and engage the community around job and business creation, through an annual business plan awards program.

“Bon Secours is proud to commit another year of SEED funding. The East End and Church Hill have seen what the strength of this community can do to grow new and successful businesses,” said Michael Robinson, CEO, Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center, Richmond Community Hospital and St. Francis Medical Center. “The SEED program is an extension of our commitment to building healthy communities, which includes improving the economic and social vitality of the East End. We look forward to assisting more entrepreneurs in 2013.”

East End entrepreneurs and business start-ups can now apply for SEED funding. Applicants must be entrepreneurs or start-up companies, and their businesses must be located in the 23223 zip code within the city of Richmond, preferably along the 25th Street and Nine Mile Road Corridor. Applications are evaluated and judged by SEED’s Blue Ribbon Panel, comprised of representatives from Bon Secours, LISC, Virginia Community Capital, East End business owners and others. Applications can be found online at www.eastendvision.org. The deadline is Aug. 29, 2013.

LISC also will assist in application preparation for prospective awardees. An information session will be held from 6:30-7:30PM, on Wednesday, June 26, and from 10:30-11:30AM, on Saturday, June 29, at the East District Initiative Building, 701 North 25th Street.

SEED’s annual awards program has received more than 40 applications in two years. Of these, SEED has awarded grants to eight East End entrepreneurs. All recipients have used the SEED funding to help them start and grow their businesses. As part of the award, recipients also receive planning and coaching assistance through LISC.

“It’s been extremely rewarding to watch these entrepreneurs flourish in an area that for many years has been void of business activity,” said Candice Streett, executive director, LISC. “Now, the 25th Street corridor is alive with bakeries, restaurants, retailers and other service providers. Not only are East End residents using these businesses, but people from other parts of town are coming here for these goods and services. These entrepreneurs are paving the way for increased business and economic vitality in Richmond’s East End.”

“I thank God, Bon Secours and LISC for the wonderful opportunity to advance my company’s potential and revenue over the past two years,” said Jodi Burton, owner of J. Burton Hauling and Disposal and a SEED recipient in 2011 and 2012. “I have purchased equipment, been able to market and have hired two employees. Most recently, I purchased a hydraulic dump truck and a snow plow. This has been a family business and a childhood dream, and this grant has helped it come true.”

Previous winners include:

YEAR ONE Jodi Burton (J. Burton Hauling and Disposal), Evrim Dogu (Sub Rosa, LLC), Noelle Archibald (Tall Bike Coffee, LLC), Neil Smith & Nicole Price (Proper Pie Co., LLC), Karen Wilson (Karen Wilson Natural Beauty, LLC), Kim Taylor (Taylor Environmental Janitorial Services);

YEAR TWO Allen Gray & Michael Johnson (All Around Painting), Michelle Peake & Phillip Perrow (Dutch & Co.), Diana Matthews & Carla Matthews (Era Vintage), Jodi Burton (J. Burton Hauling and Disposal), Neil Smith & Nicole Price (Proper Pie Co., LLC), Evrim Dogu & Erdogan Dogu (Sub Rosa, LLC), Kendra Feather & David Rohrer (WPA Bakery).