Advanced Research Investigative, LLC is a recent newcomer to the Empowerment Zone. Founded April 13, 1998, the company wanted to increase its access to and secure more government contracting opportunities. It also sought to expand its operations and reap the rewards of the many tax incentives available to Empowerment Zone businesses. The Small Business Resource Center assisted the company in locating suitable office space and registering with various federal and state procurement resources. In less than 90 days, Advanced Research Investigative (ARI) relocated from its native Virginia Beach offices in September 2003 to 555 Church Street in Norfolk. Since then, the company has attracted the attention of the Naval Weapons Station in Yorktown, where it recently won a competitive bid valued at $62,700 to perform screening services for its pass and identification function. The contract period is October 31, 2003 through June 30, 2004.

Chalice, Inc. is a privately held Virginia corporation and parent to Sylvan Learning Centers, with locations in Virginia Beach (751 Independence Circle, Suite 101) and Norfolk, its corporate headquarters (549 East Brambleton Avenue, Suite D). Chalice sought to improve its financial and management systems, enhance its strategic plans and marketing, and implement a succession plan to ensure the continuity and continued growth of the organization. Chalice opened its third school at 3280 Academy Avenue in Portsmouth in September 2002 and now employs 14 staff at that location, serving approximately 100 students annually.

Cherry’s Janitorial, Inc. is a privately held, woman-owned Virginia corporation started April 2001. Primarily engaged in residential and light commercial housekeeping, the company sought to stabilize and enhance its revenue and expand its services into multi-unit residential housing, commercial office space, and government contracts. The company also wanted to minimize employee turnover and improve its financial management systems. The Small Business Resource Center assisted the company in implementing an automated accounting and estimating system, human resource management policies, and a strategic marketing plan. As a result, 2003 revenue has increased 73% over fiscal year 2002 and the company has added 6 permanent full-time positions.

End To End, Inc. is a privately held Virginia corporation and parent to End To End Technical Services, Inc. Through the assistance of the Small Business Resource Center, the company sought to increase its build-to-print assembly plant, strengthen its strategic partnerships, and diversify its markets. Recognizing the need for low-cost capital, technical assistance resulted in End To End obtaining a $4 million Empowerment Zone Tax-Exempt Facility Bond, enabling the company to acquire additional space and equipment to meet contract requirements, increase professional and technical staff, and reserve alternative capital streams for future use.

Paradyme Marketing Group, LLC was launched August, 2002 by its founder and General Sales Manager James Hunter, Jr. Learning of the incentives available as an Empowerment Zone business and proximity to local universities, Mr. Hunter requested legal, human resources, and marketing assistance in opening a mobile telephone and two-way instant communications retail store. Paradyme Wireless opened its first store September, 2002 at 2700 Hampton Boulevard in Norfolk offering not only competitive local exchange carrier services through Cavalier Telephone, but a variety of mobile products from Alltel, Nextel, nTelos, Sprint, and T-Mobile – to name a few. In August, 2003 Paradyme Wireless opened its second location at 2041 North Battlefield Boulevard in Chesapeake. The company now employs 5 full-time staff and projects 2003 revenue well in excess of $150,000.

TDC Specialty Services Contracting, Inc. started in 1997 as Tidewater Demolition and Construction, Inc., a woman-owned, small business enterprise. Ms. Gabrielle Gray, company founder and owner, sought larger general contracting opportunities that would enable the company to firmly expand its markets, increase revenue, and diversify its service mix. In December, 2002 the Small Business Resource Center proposed and facilitated a teaming agreement with End-to-End, a Portsmouth based manufacturer and systems design and integration company. As a result, TDC has expanded its operations into Central and Northern Virginia, secured more than $1,000,000 in construction and related contracts, and completed a teaming agreement with Versar, Inc., a Williamsburg, Virginia international professional services firm.

Tiggs Welding, LLC started April, 2001 at the reins of Mr. Herbert and S. Patrice Tiggs. This minority-owned, small business enterprise requested assistance in increasing their business through increased construction and related contracting services. The Small Business Resource Center implemented several marketing initiatives to establish and enhance its marketability and create market awareness. As a result, Tiggs Welding increased services from mobile welding to metal equipment repair, fabrication, and a Virginia Department of Transportation certified “Stay-in-Place Decking” builder for bridge construction. Additionally, their increased market presence led Rockford™ Steel Building Systems, a Walterboro, South Carolina manufacturer of ready-to-assemble steel buildings, to establish Tiggs Welding, LLC as Hampton Roads’ authorized dealer for their products. These milestones enabled Tiggs Welding to increase 2002 revenue by 150% over the previous year.