Richmond, the capital of the Commonwealth of  Virginia, has a population that is the third largest in the State.  108 miles south of Washington, DC - Richmond benefits from close proximity to the Nation's capital and its entrepreneurs are able to leverage this proximity, especially in terms of access to Federal government contract opportunities.  Within the State, there are several programs designed to assist small, woman, minority and veteran-owned businesses and this Thursday's Biz Talk With Josh Smith will explore some of these programs.

Join Josh Smith and his guests The Honorable Dwight C. Jones, Mayor of Richmond,  and Lee Downey, Director of Community and Economic Development for the City of Richmond, as they discuss small and emerging businesses, economic and community development in Richmond and the surrounding areas.

Mayor Jones has been an active public servant in the city of Richmond for over 35 years; serving as Mayor, and a member of both the House of Delegates and the Richmond School Board. He has been a champion for those who are not in the mainstream, and he has been instrumental through his various board appointments and other community investments in creating positive change - for the City of Richmond and the State of Virginia. 

    
Mayor Jones appointed Lee Downey to head the City's Office of Community and Economic Development in April, 2011.  Most recently serving as Vice President for Business Development with McKinney & Company, Lee has twenty-plus years of experience in urban planning and economic development spanning both the public and private sector.