The Chamber of Commerce is pleased to be partnering with a new organization, Smyth County Young Professionals for Progress, to work on building a positive future for our community.  This organization is working to grow and will be hosting a social event to energize new members.  The next SCYPP meeting will be a "Dutch-treat" social held at Macado's in Marion on Wednesday, March 7 at 5:30pm.  Anyone who is interested in participating with this group is welcome to attend.  

For details contact SCYPP at SmythCountyYPP@gmail.com or Like them on Facebook!

Entrepreneurship is always a challenge, but especially in tough economic times.  Marion Downtown has partnered with the Virginia Main Street Program to bring a leading retail industry consultant to Smyth County's courthouse town to provide ideas, tips, best practices, and encouragement to small business owners.  The workshop, "Staying Relevant to a Changed Customer," will be held at the General Francis Marion Hotel in Marion from 8-10am on Thursday, April 5th.

Small business owners will learn how to use a Harvard Business School study to see how customers change their buying habits in a deep recession and how they can maximize their opportunity to capture their share,  how to "differentiate" and "define" customers,  how to use today's cutting edge technology for low-cost and no-cost marketing and advertising through social media,  and, as an added bonus, another session, "Business Basics - Retailing 101 and Restaurateuring 101," will be presented in an exciting, vibrant program to kick-start ideas on how to GROW business.

Registration is free for downtown businesses and $10 for other businesses as space permits.   Advance registration is required.  Call (276) 783-4190 or email kheath@marionva.org with your name, business name, number of attendees, and contact information to reserve your seat.   

The need for healthcare services is constantly growing, and Blue Ridge Cancer Care (BRCC) is pleased to be a new provider for Smyth County's citizens at their location in Marion, Virginia.  The recently opened clinic celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house event.  Executive Director Greg Cain spoke on behalf of the Blue Ridge Cancer Care physicians and staff to thank Smyth County for a warm welcome.  Tours of the facility, located at 1020 Terrace Drive, Suite 101 in Marion, showcased renovations made to allow for advanced cancer treatments, on-site chemotherapy admixture and exceptional patient comfort.
Blue Ridge Cancer Care is an 18-physician, privately-owned practice specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and blood disorders.  The practice operates nine locations serving communities throughout Southwest Virginia.  BRCC provides cutting edge, comprehensive services including medical oncology, hematology, radiaton oncology, genetic risk assessment and clinical research trials.  The practice also provides access to resources typically found only in major academic medical centers and large hospital systems, right here in the community setting.  
An affiliate of The US Oncology Network and member of the Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County, the BRCC has been serving patients at the Marion office since September, and gives Smyth County residents access to state-of-the-art cancer care in a convenient, comfortable setting minutes from home.  Doctors Jerome Goldschmidt and Robert Rotche are accepting new patients and will be working together at this location with the office open every Wednesday from 8:00am-4:30pm.  To contact the Blue Ridge Cancer Care Marion office or to make an appointment, call: 276-781-1400. 

The Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County, Inc. is supportive of the organizations in our community as they plan projects to serve our citizens.  There are several upcoming opportunities for businesses to get involved and provide support to these groups, while at the same time promoting their own business.   

The Smyth County Educational Foundation (SCEF) is happy to announce that it is partnering with the Second Chance Learning Center (SCLC) to host a benefit golf tournament.  Both these organizations are non-profit foundations established to provide financial assistance for students in Smyth and Tazewell counties through a variety of educational opportunities.

On Friday, May 11, 2012, the SCEF and SCLC are hosting their first annual golf tournament and auction to be held at Holston Hills Country Club in Marion, VA.  They are currently taking registrations for the tournament, and are also seeking sponsorships and donations. Sponsorship levels range from $100-$1000, and dontations may be given in any amount to help off-set tournament expenses.  For details or to sponsor, please contact Songia Widener at the Smyth Career and Technology Center: 276-646-8117.

Hospice of Southwest Virginia is holding their annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner on April 12, 2012.  This event is held to honor and recognize volunteers that participate with the Hospice program throughout the year.  They are looking for donations for door prize items ($20-25 value) or items to be included in gift baskets to be given away to volunteers as this event.  If your business or organization has a promotional or gift item that you would like to donate, please contact Jennifer Dempsey: Jennifer.Dempsey@LPNT.net or 276-228-1710.