For Immediate Release:听September 14, 2017
Contacts:听Office of the Governor: Brian Coy, (804) 225-4260, Brian.Coy@governor.virginia.gov | Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development: Barbara…
Dodd, (804) 371-7006, barb.dodd@dhcd.virginia.gov
Grant will promote entrepreneurialism, expand opportunities for culinary workers to start or expand their own businesses
ARLINGTON听鈥揋overnor Terry McAuliffe today announced a $175,000 grant to La Cocina VA, a nonprofit workforce development organization in Arlington County, to enhance its culinary skills training facility, create a business plan training course, and develop a small business competition. Program participants will have a chance to compete for business start-up awards in a small business competition.听Winners will receive monetary prizes allowing them to start a new business or expand an existing business.
鈥淚 was impressed by La Cocina VA鈥檚 commitment to the community it serves after recently attending one of their graduation ceremonies,鈥澨said Governor McAuliffe. 鈥淭hese Virginians are striving to obtain the American Dream through hard work and an entrepreneurial spirit. I鈥檓 honored to announce this grant, which will further La Cocina鈥檚 workforce development efforts to provide more Virginians with the skills they need to obtain good-paying jobs in the new Virginia economy.鈥
鈥淚t is encouraging to see grassroots efforts to connect people with low food access to emerging entrepreneurs in their community, striving to start food-related businesses,鈥听said First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe, who presented the grant award at an announcement event on behalf of the Governor.听听鈥淟a Cocina鈥檚 new training courses and business plan competition will provide a framework for entrepreneurs to succeed, creating more jobs in the new Virginia economy.听Improving food access and expanding economic opportunity are two sides of the same coin when it comes to achieving a stronger, healthier Virginia.鈥
