PRESS RELEASES

September 21, 2000
Wachovia Supports Statewide Expansion of Virginia's NxLeveL Program for Entrepreneurs

RICHMOND, Va. - Wachovia Bank, N.A. today announced it will donate an additional $6,000 to the Virginia Department of Business Assistance to expand its NxLeveL Program for entrepreneurs statewide.

Photo of David Dickson receiving check from Ken Fleming of Wachovia

David G. Dickson (left) of the Virginia Department of Business Assistance receives the second $6,000 in funding Wachovia has provided this year for its NxLeveL Program to help entrepreneurs grow new businesses in the state. Dickson received the award from (right) Kenneth L. Fleming, Wachovia's director of community affairs for Virginia Banking.

Kenneth L. Fleming, Wachovia senior vice president and director of community affairs for Virginia Banking, presented the check at 11 a.m. to David G. Dickson, director of the Virginia Department of Business Assistance. Fleming made the presentation at Wachovia's James Center headquarters in Richmond.

"Wachovia understands the impact that entrepreneurs and their companies have on our state and our communities," Fleming said. "We are focusing products and services on the specific needs of small business owners and hope our support of the NxLeveL program can provide tools to take a business idea from concept to reality to long-term success."

Wachovia already had donated $6,000 to fund Virginia’s NxLeveL pilot program earlier this year.

NxLeveL is a nationwide program designed to help entrepreneurs create and strengthen successful business ventures. NxLeveL classes will be taught by certified instructors at 30 small business development centers across the state and provide practical, hands-on education, counseling and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs at all stages of business development and growth.

The Virginia SBDC program is managed by the Small Business Development Division of the Virginia Department of Business Assistance.

"We appreciate Wachovia sponsoring this program," Dickson said. "NxLeveL offers an excellent turnkey training program for entrepreneurs in Virginia. The program has a phenomenal success rate nationwide, with 93 percent of program graduates still in business after the first year."

To learn more about NxLevel, contact the Small Business Development Division of the Virginia Department of Business Assistance at (804) 371-8253.