There are numerous resources for local business owners and those interested in the economic development of their communities, yet a quick Internet search is sometimes insufficient to point one in the right direction.
Last month, the Verde Valley Regional Economic Organization debuted its new website, billing itself as a resource for “building sustainable economic prosperity.” The workings of VVREO, however, are various and diverse — matching VVREO Chairwoman Jennifer Wesselhoff’s view of the Verde Valley.
“The Verde Valley is incredibly diverse,” she said. “Our community assets complement each other very well and our community leaders work cooperatively for the betterment of the entire region. The most direct way that existing area businesses and entrepreneurs can benefit from VVREO is through our revolving loan fund, which assists new and expanding businesses with microloans.”
The VVREO Capital Creation Committee manages a $200,000 Rural Business Enterprise Grant from the United States Department of Agriculture that established a revolving loan fund that supports entrepreneurial business activity. It is also working on finalizing a $500,000 loan and a $105,000 grant from the USDA to provide microloans for area small businesses up to $50,000 and to provide technical assistance to help companies grow.
In addition, the committee provides community education about further funding opportunities.
One of the most ambitious of VVREO’s efforts is the Verde Valley Broadband Cooperative, which seeks to bring enhanced broadband to the Verde Valley. This effort helps further one of Wesselhoff’s primary goals, which is to provide a spectrum of employment opportunities to area residents. Ignoring the demands of an increasingly tech-proficient marketplace is not an option.
“VVREO focuses on projects and business development in the Verde Valley which support sustainable economic growth,” Wesselhoff said. “VVREO has adopted a number of initiatives which have currently and historically made a big impact on the economic health of our region. From bringing enhanced broadband to the Verde Valley, to fostering the now flourishing growth of the wine industry, VVREO’s advocacy strives to make this a better place to live and do business.”
Wesselhoff added that the VVREO has an excellent relationship with the municipal governments of the Verde Valley and that increasing demand for its resources spurred an overhaul of their Internet presence.
“So much is happening across the Verde Valley and we wanted our website to reflect that vibrancy,” Wesselhoff explained. “Since our launch, we’ve had a consistent increase in visits to our website and we currently have hundreds of people signed up for our soon-to-be-released e-newsletter …. The new website is simply another method of outreach in addition to our new quarterly e-newsletter, topical annual events and other programs.
“The new site offers resources for area business owners who wish to grow and expand their business in the Verde Valley and encourages entrepreneurs to consider their next business venture in the area.”
