New Direction Child Care & Learning Center

Company Challenge

New Direction's owner Shunta Summers encountered high demand for the child care and education services offered by her original facility in south Richmond. The center needed to capitalize on the opportunity to grow and serve the community, but the initial investment required for facility expansion and equipment seemed overwhelming — especially to a small business owner. With the help of a Business First representative from the City of Richmond, Summers learned her company qualified for special funding to help offset the cost of a new facility, thus establishing New Direction Child Care & Learning Center II.

Business First Solution

"Business First is a very valuable program, especially in the area it is serving. I never would have known about these funding opportunities had I not spoken to my Business First Representative, Sheila Shepperson. Sheila's knowledge of all the programs and helpful advice made the process of starting a business manageable. With unforeseen delays causing budgetary issues that could have prevented the center from opening, Business First and Sheila Shepperson helped to bridge the gap, so now there is a thriving child care center always available to the community."

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Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc.

The Greater Richmond Partnership is a public-private economic development agency committed to helping to grow the Greater Richmond economy through the attraction of high quality jobs and new capital investment, the retention of existing businesses, and the continued improvement of the region's business climate.