Project YES Business and Innovation Center

All donations will support operations for Project YES Business and Innovation Center as they assist new or expanding small businesses in SWVA and experiential learning opportunities for students at Emory & Henry College.

Project YES Business and Innovation Center is a collaborative partnership dedicated to supporting small business and entrepreneurship, engaging prospective employees and employers in workforce development, and providing experiential learning and entrepreneurial opportunities for students. It is housed in Town Square Center for Advancement (TSCA) in the town square of Glade Spring, VA. Current partners include Emory & Henry College, Virginia Highlands Small Business Development Center, YWCA Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, and Project Glade, with assistance from Virginia Tech at the Virginia Tech Southwest Center.

• Emory & Henry College provides support through its School of Business. This includes experiential learning opportunities for students, enabling them to gain real-world understanding while helping local businesses under the guidance of Project YES partners. Students interested in entrepreneurship will have the opportunity to conceptualize and incubate their own business plans. Students will also assist with partner workshops and classes taught through the center.
• Virginia Highlands SBDC provides support and training to launch or expand a small business. Offerings include assistance with business plan creation, establishing a business structure, exploring funding options, and digital marketing. The SBDC also makes use of the Virginia SBA system for remote support in a variety of other services, including DEI training, business program/application training, etc.
• YWCA NETN and SWVA offers core YWCA programming, including its WE360 entrepreneurship training course for women, communities of color, and rural business owners, and the Strive for Teens program, which teaches soft business and interpersonal skills to students ages 13 to 19. The YWCA also facilitates SUD recovery wraparound supports related to business and workforce development.
• Project Glade, under its mission to support sustainable economic development in Southwest Virginia, provides the Town Square Center for Advancement (TSCA) as a home for Project YES. A business incubation space, TSCA opened in 2014 to facilitate small business development in rural communities.