Alleghany Living 2019 - 26

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

"The Gauntlet" winners
Michelle and Joshua
Rucker of the Farm at
Glen Haven in 2018

AHEDC Leads the Charge
From the
development of an
entrepreneurial
ecosystem to the
establishment of a
new "Drone Zone,"
the Alleghany
Highlands Economic
Development
Corporation is
moving the region
forward.

26 Alleghany Living

The Alleghany Highlands Economic
Development Corporation (AHEDC) is a
private-public partnership that works with
other key organizations to strengthen and
grow the economy in Virginia's Alleghany
Highlands. Assistance is provided to help
existing businesses grow and prosper and
outreach activities to attract new businesses
that will create quality jobs and bring
investment to the area.
To strengthen and diversify the economy,
the AHEDC has worked with partners to
develop a foundation for an entrepreneurial
ecosystem. This will ensure that new and

young small businesses will have support
with the many factors that go into starting
and growing a business. A new event -
"The Gauntlet" - generated interest and
excitement, bringing together new and future
business owners in a "Shark Tank" type
competition with thousands of dollars in
direct prizes and in-kind services awarded to
the winners. The next competition promises
to be bigger and better, showcasing ideas for
more new businesses that could be a perfect
complement to those already thriving in the
Highlands. The concept of an ecosystem is
important for all businesses because support
Alleghany Living 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Alleghany Living 2019
