Business Counseling & Resources

The list of useful resources below includes local, state and federal levels of government.

The City of Colonial Heights Economic Development Office may help facilitate meetings with these groups, or you may directly contact these agencies.

• City of Colonial Heights Government
  Visit the Colonial Heights website to find a complete list of City departments, elected officials, and the most recent news and announcement updates.
• American FactFinder
  American FactFinder is an online search tool to extract and report the U.S. Census Bureau’s population, housing, economic, and geographic data.
• Bureau of Labor Statistics
  The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor measures labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the economy.

• Electronic Virginia (eVA)
  eVA is Virginia's web-based vendor registration and purchasing system that allows state agencies, colleges, universities and local governments to conduct purchasing and sourcing activities for goods and services. Businesses may create profiles, receive notices, and bid on requests for products and services being solicited by the Commonwealth of Virginia and participating localities.
• Procurement Training Assistance Programs (PTAP)
  PTAP provides services that help small businesses interested in selling their goods and services to government at the federal, state, and local level.
• Small, Women- and Minority-Owned Certification (SWaM)
  The Virginia Department of Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) administers the SWaM Procurement Initiative. SWaM certified businesses benefit from increased eligibility of and fairness in procurement opportunities of state-funded projects. SWaM Certification is also awarded to Service Disabled Veterans.
• Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS)
  VDACS promotes the economic growth and development of Virginia agriculture, provides consumer protection and encourages environmental stewardship. There are many business assistance opportunities available through VDACS.

• The 3/50 Project
  The 3/50 Project is a national movement designed to support local, independent businesses. The organization helps to spread the word of “saving the brick and mortars our nation is built on.” Joining as a supporter is free and gets your independent business listed on the website.
• Virginia’s Finest
  All Virginia’s Finest products are approved by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Virginia's Finest are Virginia’s top-quality produced and processed products.  It is one of the most highly regarded marketing vehicles that gives Virginia companies an added advantage in the marketplace.
• Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC)
  The VTC serves to broaden interests of Virginia’s economy by supporting, maintaining and expanding the Commonwealth’s domestic and international tourism and motion picture production industries. Businesses may take advantage of VTC’s vast services and marketing resources.
• Virginia Green
  Virginia Green participants have made commitments to reduce their impacts on the environment through recycling, waste reduction, and energy and water conservation. Virginia Green participants practice green activities and are identified by residents and travelers by the Virginia Green logo.

• Colonial Heights Chamber of Commerce
  The Colonial Heights Chamber of Commerce promotes the general welfare and prosperity of the City through building and maintaining a mutually beneficial network of local businesses, providing valuable assistance and resources, and stimulating public support for the business community.
• Virginia Innovation Alliance (VIA)
  Virginia Innovation Alliance promotes the common interest of improving university technology commercialization in Virginia.
  They provide linkage between the various university technology commercialization offices in Virginia to share best practices as they work to support our regional innovation ecosystems across the Commonwealth.
• Virginia Business Incubation Association (VBIA)
  VBIA promotes, encourages, and supports the successful establishment and operation of small business incubation programs to stimulate economic development activity through the creation of new jobs, new investment, and new business formation