August 2019 Around Hampton Roads


Business Launch Grant Supports Downtown Suffolk


Career and Business Opportunities


Small Retailers SUFFOLK - The Suffolk Economic Development Authority and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development’s Community Business Launch (CBL) program, will begin accepting applications for the “Downtown Suffolk 2019 Business Launch Grant”. This grant, up to $15,000, is available for existing businesses or those looking to expand in a specially designated Downtown Suffolk corridor. The grant program offers reimbursement of business expenses incurred in the creation or expansion of the business, for work such as marketing, property improvement, inventory purchase and real estate expenses. The new or expanded business must employ at least one additional employee. Applications for businesses that are restaurants or retail in nature will be considered for this program. For additional information and to request an application, contact Greg Byrd, Assistant Director, Suffolk Economic Development, at 757-514- 4042 or Gbyrd@suffolkva.us. Completed applications must be received by September 6th, 2019.


Virginia Beach City Manager


Appoints Two Directors Alice Kelly as Director of Finance and Taylor Adams as Director of Economic Development


VIRGINIA BEACH—City Manager Dave Hansen has announced that he is making two interim appointments permanent. Effective August 1, Alice Kelly will be director of the Finance Department and Taylor Adams will be director of the Economic Development Department. Both have served as interim directors since December 1, 2018.


“After watching and working with Alice and Taylor over the last eight months, I could not be more pleased with what they have accomplished or more optimistic about their future potential,” said Hansen. “Both performed admirably throughout the FY20 budget cycle, have implemented effective organizational and procedural changes and established updated policies and processes to improve the effectiveness of their respective departments. We are very fortunate to have these two strong performers join a leadership team that’s so fiercely dedicated to preserving our quality of life while simultaneously undertaking initiatives that makes Virginia Beach one of the best big cities in which to live in the United States,” he added.


Kelly managed the City’s recent rating agency AAA validation, bond sale of $101.2 million in new funding and refinancing of $54.9 million of previously issued bonds that achieved the lowest rate ever for General Obligation bonds. Adams has implemented significant reengineering processes and recently traveled to Spain to reinforce the City’s commitment to furthering their investments in advanced manufacturing in Virginia Beach. He also reset expectations for the Spanish and German business offices.


Prior to joining the City of Virginia Beach in 2018, Kelly worked for the cities of Portsmouth and Norfolk as well as several private sector organizations. She was the chief financial officer for the City of Portsmouth and held several positions in Norfolk, including director of finance, assistant director of Public Works, financial manager and enterprise controller for Public Works.


Kelly also served as an accountant for the National Council for Urban Economic Development in Washington, D.C. and senior accountant for Health Enterprises in Fairfax, VA. Kelly is a Certified Public Accountant and graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech).


Adams joined the City in 2015, initially serving as the City’s purchasing agent. He was promoted to finance operations administrator in early 2017. He was instrumental in making changes to the City’s contracting and procurement processes that are expanding opportunities for small, minority and women-owned firms. Prior to coming to Virginia Beach, Adams held several progressively responsible positions in both the private and public sectors, including chief administrative officer/director of finance for the City of Starkville, MS, purchasing manager for Mississippi State University, partner/operations officer for Benefits Concepts PA in Columbus, MS and business development officer/commercial credit analyst for the National Bank of Commerce. He earned an MBA from Hult International Business School and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Mississippi State University.


U.S. Department of Health and Human Services


For information on opportunities and resources in the Health Resources and Services Administration, visit the: HRSA MSI Bulletin


The National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) in HHS announces the following grant opportunity:


Opportunity Number: HHS-2019-ACL-NIDILRR-DPGE-0358


Opportunity Title: Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Independent Living Transition Services for Youth and Young Adults with Significant Disabilities from Minority Backgrounds


Eligible Applicants: Minority Entities Application Due Date: August 19, 2019 Estimated Total Program Funding: $1,293,390


The purpose of the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP), funded through the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program, is to plan and conduct research, demonstration projects, training, and related activities, including international activities, to develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology that maximize the full inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities, especially individuals with the most severe disabilities, and to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Rehabilitation Act). This particular DRRP priority is a joint-funding collaboration between the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) and the Independent Living Administration (ILA), both within the Administration for Community Living (ACL). The DRRP grant to be made under this priority will conduct research to generate evidence-based practices for services provided by Centers for Independent Living (CILs) to facilitate the transition of youth with significant disabilities from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds who were eligible for individualized education programs and who have completed their secondary education or otherwise left school. Minority entities are the only applicants that are eligible to apply for this grant opportunity. Please see announcement for additional information on eligibility. Further information is available on GRANTS.GOV referencing opportunity number: HHS-2019- ACL-NIDILRR-DPGE-0358.


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