Successful entrepreneurs are the backbone of our local economy.

Meet Our Start-Up Entrepreneurs

Grow Waynesboro has provided grant awards to several new small businesses through start-up competitions, helping them to create jobs and build a culture of entrepreneurship in Waynesboro. 2018 marked the third year of the Grow Waynesboro initiative, which was made possible by sponsorships from Lumos Networks, Shentel, and Union Bank & Trust.  2018 grant recipients included Blue Ridge Children’s Museum, Pyramid: Appalachian Magick + Remedy and LoStro Entertainment.  You can read more about the 2018 competition here.

2017 Start-Up Competition

2017 was another great year with twenty-eight small business start-up proposals submitted for consideration.  Ultimately, Grow Waynesboro awarded $51,000 to small businesses creating jobs and storefronts in our community.  Applicants were provided in-depth training and mentorship as well as invaluable resources for their success.

Meet Our 2016 Success Stories

New jobs, new awards, growing businesses, and ongoing excitement is part of the news from the businesses we helped launch in 2016 with $21,000 in start-up grants. You can read about Ula Tortilla, The Faded Poppy, and Make Waynesboro here.  Since the competition, they have reported new jobs, significant build-outs, and a growing impact on the local economy. We are proud to release their updates.

And So Many More…

We continue to be astounded by the inspiring stories of new, evolving, growing, and ever-changing entrepreneurs in Waynesboro. As we continue to compile their stories, check them out below for entrepreneurial advice, wisdom, and motivation.