Tackling the Talent Shortage

From the desk of Harvest Foundation President Kate Keller

We all hear on the news that there is a talent shortage, and if you are responsible for hiring people at your work, you most certainly have felt the pain.  

MHC and communities like ours feel this more intensely than larger communities due to fewer residents, and our challenge to recruit people — especially those in specialized fields — to live outside of the urban cores. 

However, we understand that attracting top talent is crucial for our community's future and prosperity. 

That's why we're proud to announce Pass GO — a new student loan repayment program that helps local businesses recruit selected professionals to join our community and thrive.

Living in a small town offers a unique blend of charm, community, and opportunity. However, we recognize that student loan debt can be a significant barrier for many young professionals considering a move to our area. Our student loan repayment program aims to remove this obstacle, making it easier for someone to build a fulfilling life here.

By offering Pass GO, we can compete with larger cities for skilled workers. This not only benefits our local businesses, but also enriches our community with new ideas, perspectives, and talents. As people settle into our community, they will find countless opportunities to make a meaningful impact and shape our future.

Moreover, Pass GO contributes to the overall vibrancy of our town. As more talented individuals join us, our community becomes more diverse, dynamic, and resilient. Their presence here will help us grow and thrive, ensuring that MHC remains a wonderful place to live, work, and play. Pass GO also offers opportunities for our local students and residents.  

This is a special call out to our SEED students at Patrick & Henry Community College.  If you are majoring in one of the identified fields, you can return home from college and have up to $50,000 of your student debt paid. For many, that could mean an almost free education. For current residents who are skilling up their careers within the identified fields, you can qualify by staying and working here.  

Launching Pass GO is a huge win for MHC, but let's also remember that our greatest asset is the community we build by attracting new talent and supporting our residents. Together, we are shaping a brighter future for MHC — one where everyone shares in the promise of a healthy, prosperous, and vibrant community.

For all of the information, check out the website passgomhc.org. 

Student loan payments up to $50,000 available for high-demand professionals

Pass GO will provide eligible professionals who live, work in Martinsville-Henry County, Virginia up to $5,000 per year for 10 years to pay student loan debt

Martinsville, Va. — Newly hired workers in high-demand industries can get up to $50,000 to pay back student loans in a program powered by The Harvest Foundation and the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation (EDC). 

Pass GO, a student loan repayment opportunity, is designed to attract and retain workers in high-demand industries. If approved, recipients will receive an annual payment of $5,000 as a principal payment on a student loan paid directly to the loan servicer. These payments can last up to 10 years for a maximum payout of $50,000. 

Recipients must live and work in Martinsville-Henry County to be eligible. Individuals hired before July 1, 2021, are not eligible for Pass GO.

After July 1, 2024, applicants will need to apply for Pass GO within one year of their hiring date. 
Individuals fully licensed and credentialed working in the following jobs and positions can apply for the program: 

• Licensed Teacher/Counselor
• School Psychologist/School Social Worker
• Community College Faculty (Full-time)
• Engineer
• Medical Doctor/Veterinarian
• Optometrist/Ophthalmologist
• Nurse (RN, LPN)
• Physician’s Assistant/Nurse Practitioner
• Pharmacist
• Dentist
• Physical Therapist/Occupational Therapist/Speech Therapist
• Licensed Mental Health Professional
  • Psychiatrist
  • Eligible Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
  • Eligible Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)  

Pictured is Shane Hampton, senior manager for Thriving Communities at Main Street America. 

Martinsville Bulletin: USDOT officials meet with community leaders

Community leaders in Martinsville and Henry County spent part of Monday with U.S. Department of Transportation officials, learning how to make future transportation plans and projects a reality.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocated nearly $21 million through the Thriving Communities Program and Martinsville and Henry County was selected as one of 64 communities nationwide to participate in the project.

The competitive program prioritized the selection of communities to those deemed to be disadvantaged, small and rural. The applicants were required to demonstrate existing plans that were committed to improving health outcomes, preserving or expanding job opportunities, increasing reliable transportation among the disadvantaged, and providing better access to health care, food, education and other essential destinations.

The program is designed to provide planning, technical assistance, and capacity building support that will enable disadvantaged and under-resourced communities to advance a pipeline of transportation infrastructure projects. Out of the communities selected, 22% had never applied for a USDOT grant and 39% have been unsuccessful in obtaining one.

“I was hired in September and since then we’ve visited communities in 20 states and all are in different stages,” said Thriving Communities Program Senior Manager Shane Hampton. “Martinsville and Henry County seems to understand the value of transportation. You are a solutions-oriented place.”

House Party Event on March 16th from 12-3 p.m. 

Bring your family and join Drug-Free MHC and Partners for a tour of their "home."

• Community organizations and experts will equip families with tools to create safe environments that protect the youth in Martinsville-Henry County.  
• Children can enjoy a "backyard" zone with inflatables and activities for all ages and receive age-appropriate encouragement on how to make positive drug-free choices.
• End the afternoon with free hot dogs and new tools to use. 

NPO Connect: Let's Talk About —
Marketing Strategies to Stand Out Among the Noise

We live in a highly complex digital world where we are constantly being inundated with information. In our current environment of overstimulation and overload, it’s crucial for businesses and organizations to cut through the noise and capture the attention of their target audience effectively.

This workshop, “Marketing Strategies to Stand Out Among the Noise,” is designed to equip you with the skills and insights needed to create standout marketing campaigns.

During this two-hour workshop, we will discuss the following marketing strategies to help your business or organization stand out:

• Your story: How to develop a strong brand story.
• Your brand: How to effectively communicate your brand story using guidelines that define your brand, as well as graphics, copywriting, content creation, and the right marketing tools for your business or organization.
• Your audience: How to reach target audiences that are right for your business or organization.
• Your engagement: Tips for measuring engagement, how and when to refresh marketing materials, frequency of posting, and more.

REGISTRATION FEE: FREE

You do not want to miss this opportunity! Space is limited, so register today!

The Harvest Youth Board presents Books & Bunnies 2024!

The Harvest Youth Board will host the 3rd Annual Books & Bunnies event on Saturday, March 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Attendees will enjoy egg hunts, crafts, fun activities and FREE books for children ages 0-12 years old. 

Click or tap here to volunteer. Visit www.harvestyouthoard.org to find out more. 

There's always something fun to do in

Martinsville-Henry County.  

Check out VisitMartinsville to find your next adventure in MHC.

Make an impact in your community. Share your HOPE. 

We welcome your voice and ideas at The Harvest Foundation.

Our general responsive grants cycle is open year-round with consideration from our Board of Directors once a quarter. Our PUP Small Grants Program is an open process with decisions made in less than six weeks. Project Hope grants support small, grassroots projects with immediate impact. 

Give our office a call to schedule an appointment with a program officer.

About The Harvest Foundation:
The Harvest Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 2002 by the sale of Memorial Hospital. In partnership with the diverse people and organizations that call MHC home, we serve as a long-term catalyst, advocate, and investor to make our community a welcoming place where all can thrive. Our vision is a community where everyone shares in the promise of an MHC that is healthy, prosperous, and vibrant. To date, the foundation has invested more than $170 million in grant dollars back into the community and has an annual grants budget of roughly $10-12 million. To find out more about Harvest, visit www.theharvestfoundation.org.

Discover Harvest — Add us to your address book to get the latest news from The Harvest Foundation delivered to your inbox. 

www.theharvestfoundation.org | (276) 632-3329

134 E. Church St.  | P.O. Box 5183

Martinsville, VA 24115

Manage your preferences | Opt Out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.

134 E. Church St. P.O. Box 5183 | Martinsville, VA 24115 US

This email was sent to .
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.