Entrepreneurship Bootcamp
The New College Institute has announced that it will host an entrepreneurship bootcamp for high school students this summer.
The two-and-a-half-day event, taking place Monday through Wednesday, is part of Patrick & Henry Community College’s Summer Discovery Institute.
Mentoring the young entrepreneurs will be Jennifer Reis, professor of arts entrepreneurship and business management at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and Natalie Hodge, owner of Rudy’s Girl Media. Both mentors share their creative entrepreneurial experience and passion for revitalizing Martinsville. “We are excited to mentor these talented young people,” said Hodge. “This boot camp is not just about teaching business skills; it’s about empowering students to envision and create a vibrant future for our community.”
Participants will be divided into six teams and tasked with developing innovative business ideas in vacant commercial spaces in Uptown Martinsville. They will spend the first two days refining their ideas and on the third day will present their ideas to a panel of judges that includes local leaders, small business owners and especially vacant space owners. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three teams, adding a competitive edge to this immersive learning experience.
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“This boot camp is a fantastic opportunity for students to gain practical business development skills while contributing to the future of Uptown Martinsville,” said Reis. “I can’t wait to see the creative ideas the students come up with.”
“Part of NCI’s mission is to transform communities, and it’s inspiring to see young entrepreneurs being developed. This bootcamp will inspire students and give them the tools they need to succeed,” said Joe Sumner, executive director of NCI. “It’s critical that we retain young talent and energy in our community as we pave the way for future economic growth.”
The presentation event will be held Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon in the Martin Lacey Auditorium in NCI’s Baldwin Building (191 Fayette St.).
Franks + Drunks
Piedmont Arts’ annual summer concert and barbecue, “Franks + Drunks,” will be held at Gravely Lester Art Garden on July 19 at 6 p.m.
Featuring a delicious hot dog dinner prepared by celebrity chefs Will Gravely and Shane Pinkston and live entertainment from local favorite Jake Earls, Franks + Drunks is an event not to be missed. Held at the picturesque Gravely-Lester Art Gardens with great entertainment, Franks + Drunks is the perfect Martinsville summer tradition. Jake Earls is a singer and guitarist from Axton. He has lived in Nashville, Tennessee for 20 years, performing everywhere from honky-tonks to the Grand Ole Opry and touring nationally with artists such as Tim McGraw. Earls brings a mix of country, Americana, folk and soul to the stage.
Please bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets for seating. No outside food or drinks are permitted. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Admission includes a hot dog dinner, cash bar and live entertainment by Jake Earls. Tickets can be purchased at PiedmontArts.org or at the museum.
In the event of inclement weather, the event will be held indoors at Piedmont Arts. Franks + Dranks is sponsored by Atlantic Union Bank.
Pub Run
The Martinsville-Henry County YMCA is partnering with Renewal Brewing to host a Pub Run in Uptown Martinsville.
Every Monday evening, starting at 6pm, a group will run or walk the Dick & Willie Trail from Renewal Brewing, located at 32 Franklin St. Participants can meet like-minded people and get a little exercise before cooling off with a cold drink from the brewery.
All runners/walkers will receive $1 off their first beer, soda or non-alcoholic beverage. Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.
Attendees can bring their own food, and the brewery will be open from 4 to 10 p.m.
GENEDGE will receive $2.1 million
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology awarded a $2.14 million grant to Martinsville-based GENEDGE Alliance through its Manufacturing Extension Partnership program.
“The GENEDGE Alliance has a proven track record of supporting Virginia manufacturing businesses, including companies in Virginia’s 9th Congressional District,” Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, said in a statement. “This $2.1 million grant will help GENEDGE spur economic activity and growth across Virginia.”
According to NIST, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program is intended to “provide manufacturing extension services primarily to small and medium-sized manufacturers in Virginia.”
