New Resource for Businesses who Export Goods or Services

It is now easier than ever for businesses, no matter how small, to sell goods and services around the world. Exporting is one the best ways to help a business:

• Increase sales and profits
• Sell excess production capacity
• Reduce dependence on existing markets

Any item that is sent from the U.S. to a foreign destination is considered an export, including commodities, software, and technology. Any company that is exporting is required to comply with U.S. export control laws. VEDP has prepared an Exporting 101 Guide to Export Regulations to help Virginia businesses learn more about how to comply with these regulations.  

Visit https://exportvirginia.org/resource/exporting-101 to learn more!

International Trade & Sales Training Series

Join VEDP-International Trade for a 3-part training series to enhance your international sales skills and strategy. 

How are you adapting your approach to sales, communicating your company’s value proposition, and negotiating for success in the post COVID-19 era?

Join VEDP for a 3-part webinar training series on sales and communications, designed to help you perfect your presentation, communication, sales and negotiation skills. This training will take place every two weeks on February 28, March 14, and 28, 2023. Upon completion of the training, each participant will receive a digital certificate of completion. To receive the certificate, participants must attend or watch a recording of two of the three training sessions. These training includes three virtual sessions, each 1.5 hours long. The training will take place "live" on Zoom and is not pre-recorded.

To learn more or sign up visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/international-sales-training-series-registration-519211604887. 

Business Spotlight!
Each month we will spotlight a Goochland business!

Luck Companies Celebrates 100 Years in Business!

Congratulations to Luck Companies on their 100 year anniversary! Luck Companies has had presence in Goochland County since 1926 when they began operating the Boscobel quarry. Luck moved their headquarter operations to their current location in Goochland in 1970. Luck Companies is the parent company to Luck Stone, Luck Eco Systems and Luck Real Estate Ventures. Check out their company history and timeline photos on the web at https://www.luckcompanies100.com/

Preserving our Roots:
Agri-Businesses in Goochland

Red Imported Fire Ant Quarantine Expansion

At the end of 2022, the Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) quarantine area was expanded in Virginia to include Halifax, Charlotte, Lunenburg, Dinwiddie, and Sussex counties.  The quarantine area now covers 12 counties and 11 independent cities.  Fire ant mounds are typically found in warm, sunny locations such as landscape beds, lawns, around trees and shrubs, along sidewalk cracks and against buildings. If disturbed, these ants are generally aggressive and can inflict painful stings.  The Office of Plant Industry Services at the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) is attempting to eradicate any fire ants found outside of the quarantine area.  Goochland is still outside of the quarantine area, so if you suspect you have found a RIFA mound, please contact the Office of Plant Industry Services at 804-786-3515.

 RIFA were first introduced to Virginia in nursery stock, and they can be easily transported in materials containing soil or stored on the ground, such as sod, hay and straw bales, bee hives, and used farm equipment and logs with attached soil.  These and other items constitute regulated articles.  Individuals who plan to move regulated articles out of the quarantined area should contact VDACS’ Office of Plant Industry Services (804-786-3515) to determine options for certifying regulated articles as free of imported fire ants. 

Information provided by Nicole Shuman, Agricultural and Natural Resources Agent. Adapted from information found on the VDACS website - https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/plant-industry-services-fire-ant-suppressioneand-eradication.shtml