A program to give small businesses an extra boost with grant funding recently announced winners and awarded $52,500.
Known as Rev Up, the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce’s program focuses on businesses in Danville and Pittsylvania County outside of the footprint of the River District.
In downtown Danville, the River District Association handles a similar program aimed to spur new businesses and help established ones expand.
In fact, the association’s Dream Launch Boot Camp worked with the the chamber to get Rev Up established in 2021.
Money for the program comes in part from Danville and Pittsylvania County governments.
“Just like cities and towns across the country, small businesses are the backbone of our region,” Christy Harper, director of member engagement for the chamber, said in a statement. “The Chamber is invested in connecting businesses of all sizes to resources and networks for success.”
People are also reading…
The winners were announced at the chamber’s annual banquet and awards event May 31.
![Sovah Fitness](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/godanriver.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/dd/ddd090d6-28b7-11ef-85f8-a79885ef9ff0/6669956bb44fa.image.jpg?resize=150%2C104 150w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/godanriver.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/dd/ddd090d6-28b7-11ef-85f8-a79885ef9ff0/6669956bb44fa.image.jpg?resize=200%2C138 200w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/godanriver.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/dd/ddd090d6-28b7-11ef-85f8-a79885ef9ff0/6669956bb44fa.image.jpg?resize=225%2C155 225w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/godanriver.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/dd/ddd090d6-28b7-11ef-85f8-a79885ef9ff0/6669956bb44fa.image.jpg?resize=300%2C207 300w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/godanriver.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/dd/ddd090d6-28b7-11ef-85f8-a79885ef9ff0/6669956bb44fa.image.jpg?resize=400%2C276 400w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/godanriver.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/dd/ddd090d6-28b7-11ef-85f8-a79885ef9ff0/6669956bb44fa.image.jpg?resize=540%2C373 540w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/godanriver.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/dd/ddd090d6-28b7-11ef-85f8-a79885ef9ff0/6669956bb44fa.image.jpg?resize=640%2C442 640w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/godanriver.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/dd/ddd090d6-28b7-11ef-85f8-a79885ef9ff0/6669956bb44fa.image.jpg?resize=750%2C518 750w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/godanriver.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/dd/ddd090d6-28b7-11ef-85f8-a79885ef9ff0/6669956bb44fa.image.jpg?resize=990%2C684 990w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/godanriver.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/dd/ddd090d6-28b7-11ef-85f8-a79885ef9ff0/6669956bb44fa.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C715 1035w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/godanriver.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/dd/ddd090d6-28b7-11ef-85f8-a79885ef9ff0/6669956bb44fa.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C829 1200w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/godanriver.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/dd/ddd090d6-28b7-11ef-85f8-a79885ef9ff0/6669956bb44fa.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C921 1333w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/godanriver.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/dd/ddd090d6-28b7-11ef-85f8-a79885ef9ff0/6669956bb44fa.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C1020 1476w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/godanriver.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/dd/ddd090d6-28b7-11ef-85f8-a79885ef9ff0/6669956bb44fa.image.jpg?resize=1732%2C1197 2008w)
Contributed photos
This year 13 businesses pitched plans for a total of $52,500. Rev Up is a six weeks of classes in a boot camp-style atmosphere. It helps with establishing business plans and connecting participants with available resources in the region.
Brosville’s Sova Fitness snagged the largest win of $15,000. Owners Katie Ingram and Molly Lunsford plan to use the funds to purchase more equipment for the business.
Other winners
- LabeledLex: Owner Maya Hairston received $4,000 to launch a new mini lex line and a men’s line of the luxury handbag business.
- Mélange Productions: Owner Chris Harris earned $5,000 for building and equipment upgrades for the creative establishment.
- Caring with Compassion Nursing: Owner Latoria Thomas will spend her $8,000 for start-up costs of the non-medical home care agency that provides.
- Honey Hair: Owner Addison Vaught received $8,000 for furniture and equipment for the salon.
- Little Lady Boutique: Owner Stacia Fitzgerald will receive $10,000 to expand the boutique’s clothing line.
![Little Lady Boutique](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/godanriver.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/87/d8741784-28b7-11ef-961f-6725521e4424/66699562b554e.image.jpg?resize=150%2C119 150w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/godanriver.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/87/d8741784-28b7-11ef-961f-6725521e4424/66699562b554e.image.jpg?resize=200%2C159 200w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/godanriver.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/87/d8741784-28b7-11ef-961f-6725521e4424/66699562b554e.image.jpg?resize=225%2C179 225w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/godanriver.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/87/d8741784-28b7-11ef-961f-6725521e4424/66699562b554e.image.jpg?resize=300%2C238 300w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/godanriver.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/87/d8741784-28b7-11ef-961f-6725521e4424/66699562b554e.image.jpg?resize=400%2C318 400w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/godanriver.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/87/d8741784-28b7-11ef-961f-6725521e4424/66699562b554e.image.jpg?resize=540%2C429 540w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/godanriver.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/87/d8741784-28b7-11ef-961f-6725521e4424/66699562b554e.image.jpg?resize=640%2C508 640w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/godanriver.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/87/d8741784-28b7-11ef-961f-6725521e4424/66699562b554e.image.jpg?resize=750%2C596 750w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/godanriver.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/87/d8741784-28b7-11ef-961f-6725521e4424/66699562b554e.image.jpg?resize=990%2C786 990w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/godanriver.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/87/d8741784-28b7-11ef-961f-6725521e4424/66699562b554e.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C822 1035w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/godanriver.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/87/d8741784-28b7-11ef-961f-6725521e4424/66699562b554e.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C953 1200w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/godanriver.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/87/d8741784-28b7-11ef-961f-6725521e4424/66699562b554e.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C1059 1333w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/godanriver.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/87/d8741784-28b7-11ef-961f-6725521e4424/66699562b554e.image.jpg?resize=1476%2C1173 1476w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/godanriver.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/87/d8741784-28b7-11ef-961f-6725521e4424/66699562b554e.image.jpg?resize=1615%2C1283 2008w)
Contributed
The Community Investment Collaborative, a financial institution that aims to help under-resourced entrepreneurs, provided $2,500 to Dungeons and Dining to make equipment upgrades. The retail hobby shop has a full-service restaurant.
The program is looking for its next cohort of participants. To learn more, contact Harper at 434-836-6990 or chamber@dpchamber.org.
The business news you need
Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.