Hampton Economic Development

🎉🌟 CELEBRATING THEIR 5TH YEAR! 🌟🎉

Join YouthFest '26 on July 11, 2026, from 10 AM–4 PM at the West Hampton Community Center! Hosted by KEVEN'S WORLD & Friends & Ambassadors, this exciting Nickelodeon-style event features games, challenges, live broadcasts, talent showcases, food trucks, exhibits, and more.

YouthFest '26 welcomes:

✅ Youth Vendors
✅ Youth Entrepreneurs
✅ Mentoring Organizations
✅ Garden Presentations
✅ STEAM Exhibitors
✅ Community Organizations

Students can also become YouthFest '26 Ambassadors and participate in the KEVEN'S WORLD Live Experience!

Come celebrate youth leadership, entrepreneurship, education, and community with us!

📍 West Hampton Community Center
📅 July 11, 2026 | 10 AM–4 PM

Visit https://gogacc.org/ -4778-4641-ac22-19c29a432d67 for additional information.

A big thank you to Marco Frigelj of IncuHub for leading an engaging and insightful workshop on “Storytelling to Brand Your Business.”

As a collaborative workspace community for business owners throughout Hampton Roads, IncuHub continues to be a valuable partner in supporting entrepreneurship and business growth across our region.

Attendees learned how sharing their unique story can strengthen their brand, build trust, and create meaningful connections with customers. Marco provided valuable strategies and real-world examples that demonstrated the power of authentic storytelling in business growth and marketing success.

Interested in growing your business? Be sure to follow Hampton Economic Development and watch for upcoming workshops, training opportunities, and resources designed to help entrepreneurs and small businesses succeed. We look forward to seeing you at a future event!

Looking to hire top talent? Don’t miss the 5th Annual Regional Job Fair — bigger, stronger, and more competitive than ever!

In partnership with Hampton Economic Empowerment, this premier hiring event connects employers with qualified, job-ready candidates in a high-impact environment designed for real hiring results.

Meet motivated candidates ready to work
Conduct on-the-spot interviews
Build your future talent pipeline
Increase your company visibility alongside top employers
Whether you’re hiring now or planning ahead, this is your opportunity to recruit smarter and hire faster.

Employer spots are limited and demand is high — secure your spot today!

Hampton Roads Workforce Council 5th Annual Regional Job Fair Looking to hire? Join the 5th Annual Job Fair and connect with ready-to-work candidates! Employer spots are limited. Register today!

Professional Selling for Small Business - May 21; 10AM-12PM
Foxhill Neighborhood Center, 65 Hall Road, Hampton

Many new business owners feel uncomfortable with selling — but it doesn’t have to feel pushy or awkward.

This workshop will help you reframe selling as a natural, customer-focused conversation. You’ll learn how to:
✨ Ask the right questions
✨ Understand customer needs
✨ Present your product or service with confidence and clarity

By the end of the session, you’ll walk away with practical techniques to turn everyday conversations into real business opportunities.

Stop “selling” and start connecting. Your next customer conversation could change your business.

Free event, registration required: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/professional-selling-for-small-business-tickets-1988320737851?aff=oddtdtcreator

SBA Loan Programs: Up to $5 million Available for Small Businesses
Thu, May 14 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM (Online workshop)

Small Business Administration loans can be used for a wide variety of needs including working capital, purchases of inventory and equipment, refinancing business debt, buying a business, and the purchase or construction of owner-occupied commercial real estate.

During this webinar, we will discuss the three main SBA Loan Programs - 7(a), 504 and Microloans. You will receive guidance on….

* what to do before approaching a lender
* what the SBA application process looks like
* how to find SBA lenders

This event is part of Capital Pathways, a no-cost program from the Virginia SBDC that helps small businesses get the funding they need to grow. The program is designed for very small (fewer than 10 employees), emerging, and growth-ready businesses that face challenges accessing traditional financing. It offers hands-on group learning, guided implementation, and extended one-on-one support focused on strengthening your finances, loan applications, and legal setup.

No cost. Register now to save your spot!
https://clients.virginiasbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=940460025&cid=1EKdsx9ACA1EoxnOicXVBu-IyulYU6ISCL2VZXXmxYRzpErKSM2gf5yNpHp7TopzOZG_b1RdBwQr8tORzS7JfT1suaRm7rX_x2GO2gbhtm2c=