WASHINGTON –Today, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced that the Biden-Harris Administration exceeded its small business contracting goal of 23% in fiscal year (FY) 2022, awarding an all-time high 26.5% of federal contract dollars to small businesses. This historic level amounts to a $162.9 billion investment in the small business economy – an $8.7 billion increase from the previous fiscal year. Ten federal agencies earned an “A+” for their agencies’ achievements in small business contracting, and an additional ten agencies received an “A” grade. The federal government, overall, earned an “A” on this year’s government-wide scorecard. 

“Through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we have championed initiatives to fuel our nation’s historic economic growth, while also reducing barriers and ensuring fair competition in federal contracting,” said Administrator Guzman. “The Biden Administration continues to raise the bar, reaching a record high level of contract spending with small businesses, supporting over one million good-paying jobs in manufacturing, construction, research & development and other vital industries.” 

“The SBA’s Mid-Atlantic Region has the largest concentration of federal contractors in the nation, so it is vital we are geared to help small businesses find their place in delivering what government agencies need to function and serve the American people,” said SBA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator John Fleming who oversees the federal agency’s operations in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and D.C.  “Our small business advocates across the federal government and our SBA partner organizations were key in reaching these results.”

Highlights of the overall performance of the federal government include: 

• For the second consecutive year, Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) spending exceeded its 11% goal. The noteworthy achievement reflects President Biden’s unwavering commitment to meeting an ambitious SDB contracting goal.
• Service-disabled Veteran-owned small business spending has exceeded its 3% goal, reaching 4.6%. This achievement translates to $28.1 billion in procurement, reflecting a $3 billion spending increase compared to the previous year.  
• Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) small businesses were granted a record-breaking $16.3 billion in federal contract awards, marking the highest amount ever awarded to this category in the program’s history. Despite not meeting the 3% statutory goal, the federal government made significant strides in supporting and empowering HUBzone small businesses.

• Women-owned Small Businesses (WOSB) received more than $26 billion for the fourth straight year, accounting for 4.6% of the FY22 total eligible dollars, slightly below the 5% target.  The overall dollars granted to WOSBs increased from $26.2 billion in FY21 to $28.1 billion in FY22. Moreover, the funds set aside specifically for WOSB firms amounted to $1.56 billion in FY22, showing a remarkable 17% surge. This growth followed the expansion of certified WOSB firms from approximately 1,000 to nearly 6,000 and the NAICS codes in which women-owned businesses can receive set-aside awards. With now over 92% of federal spending covered by NAICS codes eligible for WOSB set-aside awards, the SBA remains dedicated to collaborating with contracting agencies, actively pursuing future changes to achieve the 5-percent WOSB goal.

• The federal government achieved its small business subcontracting goals, awarding 30.9%, or $79.1 billion, to small-business subcontractors.
• In Fiscal Year 2022, although there was a significant increase in small business awards, the number of small businesses receiving prime contracts with the federal government continued a multi-year trend of decreases in small-business vendors, spanning a decade.

Expanding Access to Federal Contracting:

The Small Business Administration, under the Biden-Harris Administration, has made it a top priority to expand access to federal contracting. The SBA, under Administrator Guzman’s leadership, has made several strategic and targeted changes to ensure small businesses, particularly those in underserved communities, are empowered to find and take advantage of opportunities presented by President Biden’s signature legislation, including the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science Act, and more. Actions include:

• Releasing new guidance, “Creating a More Diverse and Resilient Federal Marketplace through Increased Participation of New and Recent Entrants.” This executive action includes several new initiatives for encouraging new entrants to the federal contracting space, including a Supplier Base Dashboard to track an agency's mix of new entrants, recent entrants, and established vendors.
• Announcing a number of reforms in small businesses contracting, including directing all agencies to include progress towards achievement of each of the socioeconomic small business goals as evaluation criteria in all performance plans for Senior Executive Service (SES) managers that oversee the acquisition workforce or agency programs supported by contractors.
• Revising an agreement with federal agencies to promote maximum utilization of 8(a) certified SDBs to ensure equitable access to contracting opportunities.
• Updating NAICS codes eligible for WOSB set-aside contracts expanded from 444 to 759, representing a 70% increase.
• Ressurrecting ChallengeHer, a government contracting education initiative to help women-owned small business gain access to federal contracts and encourage participation in the SBA’s WOSB program, alongside partners from Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) and American Express (AMEX).
• Creating a new HUBZone map that updates designations and census tract boundaries resulting from the 2020 Census.
• Implementing a new certification system for SDVOSBs as part of the migration of Veteran-owned business certification from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to SBA.

*The prime contract goal achievements by dollars and percentages for all categories are as follows: 

1. FY 2019-22, in accordance with federal law, SBA provided double credit, for Scorecard purposes only, for prime contract awards in disaster areas that were awarded as a local area set aside and a small business or other socio-economic set aside when the vendor state is the same as the place of performance (15 USC § 644(f)), and for awards to small businesses in Puerto Rico or covered territories (15 USC § 644(x)(1)). SBA also included in the calculation of government-wide achievements the Department of Energy first-tier subcontracts required to be included by section 318 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014 (“CAA”), Public Law 113-76. 

Individual agency scorecards with a detailed explanation of the methodology are available at SBA.gov.

"YOVASO Retreat: Driving Thru the Decades Towards a Safer Future" 

(Harrisonburg, Va.) — More than 130 Virginia teens representing schools and youth groups from across the commonwealth are at James Madison University (JMU) for the 2023 YOVASO Summer Leadership Retreat, Driving Thru the Decades Towards a Safter Future. The four-day, three-night retreat offers a variety of educational and hands-on activities designed for teens who want to learn how to be safer drivers and passengers, as well as teens who want to train as leaders for youth traffic safety. The Summer Leadership Retreat is sponsored by Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety (YOVASO), Virginia State Police (VSP), Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (Virginia DMV) and State Farm Insurance. 

The annual leadership retreat is being held on the JMU campus in Harrisonburg, Va., from July 13 through July 16. More than 165 students and adult leaders are registered to attend. The four-day experience will prepare teens to work in peer-to-peer programs in their schools or through community youth groups to promote safe teen driving and help prevent motor vehicle crashes among teens 

Highlights for the retreat include motivational speaker, Brandon White who will share his Own It presentation and dance session; a multi-media trivia game show by TjohnE Productions; a fun social featuring the game show, Name That Tune; and a public speaking workshop with Miss Virginia Volunteer 2023, Kate Clatterbuck. Teens will also participate in interactive safety experiences by the Virginia Trucking Association; the Virginia Department of Transportation on pedestrian safety; DRIVE SMART Virginia on impaired driving; Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital's Trauma Unit on bleeding control techniques; and Driven to Protect's Driver Alcohol Detection System. VSP will also provide several demonstrations including one by the Crash Reconstruction Team, K-9 Unit, a rotation on drug impaired driving, and one that will put students behind the wheel of the Distracted Driving Simulators. Teens will enjoy a variety of interactive, team-building social events, to include a glow stick game, talent show, and the Amazing Race, Decades style.  

"We're excited for teens across the commonwealth to join us at JMU for the 2023 YOVASO Summer Leadership Retreat," said Molly Jackson, Retreat Director. "The retreat provides a fun and educational experience for all teens, whether they are looking to be safer drivers, learn leadership skills, get involved in community service opportunities, or prepare for future careers."  

The four-day, three-night retreat concludes with an awards banquet to recognize students, schools, youth groups, law enforcement, community members, and business partners, for their dedicated and outstanding efforts during the 2022-2023 school year to prevent teen-related traffic crashes and fatalities on Virginia highway

 YOVASO is Virginia's Peer-to-Peer Education and Prevention Program for Teen Driver and Passenger Safety; YOVASO is a program of VSP and is funded by highway safety grants from the Virginia DMV. Program membership is free and open to all Virginia high schools, middle schools, and youth groups. YOVASO currently has 110 active schools and youth groups. 

SVCC's Truck Driver Training team would like to congratulate BriAnna Alexanders on completing the Truck Driver Training program with a 4.0 GPA. BriAnna, of Freeman, is the 183rd student to earn this honor and the first female TDT student to do so!

RICHMOND – Preliminary data indicates five individuals lost their lives in four traffic crashes during the 48-hour statistical counting period designated for the July 4, 2023, holiday. Of those who died, one was a motorcyclist, two were drivers and two were passengers. The fatal crashes took place in Arlington, Buchanan, Charles City and Craig counties. During the four-day statistical counting period for July 4, 2022, traffic crashes claimed 10 lives on Virginia's highways.*  

To do its part to increase safety and reduce traffic fatalities on Virginia's highways during the holiday, State Police participated in Operation Crash Awareness Reduction Effort (C.A.R.E.). Operation CARE is a state-sponsored, national program intended to reduce crashes, fatalities and injuries due to impaired driving, speed and failing to wear a seat belt. The statistical counting period began 12:01 a.m. Monday, July 3, 2023, and concluded at midnight Tuesday, July 4, 2023.  

"We are in the height of the summer travel season, so traffic safety should be of the utmost importance for all Virginians," said Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent. "Excessive speeding, drivers and passengers failing to buckle up and distracted driving continue to put all at risk traveling on our highways. Our state troopers cannot be everywhere all the time. We need Virginians to put forth the extra effort and comply with speed limits, buckle up and put the phone down. That's how we save lives on our highways." 

During the 2023 two-day Operation CARE initiative for the July 4 holiday, Virginia troopers arrested 36 drivers for operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and cited 2,051 speeders and 980 reckless drivers. Troopers issued 254 citations to individuals for failing to buckle up, and another 74 citations for children not being properly secured in a vehicle. Virginia troopers also cited 124 drivers for being in violation of Virginia's "hands free" law. 

State police investigated 377 total traffic crashes statewide and assisted 392 disabled/stranded motorists during the July 4 statistical counting period. 

Funds generated from summonses issued by Virginia State Police go directly to court fees and the state's Literary Fund, which benefits public school construction, technology funding and teacher retirement. 

RICHMOND – With the Fourth of July falling on a Tuesday this year, many Virginians are preparing for a long holiday weekend. Virginia State Police is encouraging everyone to add smart, safe and sober driving to those celebratory travel plans.  

"Within the first six months of 2023, preliminary data indicates traffic crashes across the Commonwealth have claimed 400 lives," said Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent. "That means Virginia is averaging roughly two traffic deaths every day, and that's unacceptable. Let's make this extended July 4th holiday weekend Virginia's safest ever and drive to save lives. Traffic crashes and deaths are prevented when drivers and passengers simply follow the rules of the road – this includes never driving impaired, avoiding distractions, complying with posted speed limits and always wearing a seat belt."   

During the four-day statistical counting period for July 4, 2022, traffic crashes claimed 10 lives on Virginia's highways.* In 2021, a dozen people were killed in traffic crashes statewide during that year's four-day statistical counting period.  

If planning to drink alcohol at a July 4 function, arrange, in advance, a designated driver, or use a rideshare service or taxi, or utilize public transportation to be certain you get home safely.  Party hosts are encouraged to serve non-alcoholic beverage options, and to help prevent any guests from drinking and driving home from their event. 

As part of its ongoing efforts to increase safety and reduce traffic fatalities on Virginia's highways during the coming holiday weekend, Virginia State Police will increase patrols beginning at 12:01 a.m. Monday, July 3, 2023, through midnight Tuesday, July 4, 2023, as part of the Operation Crash Awareness Reduction Effort (C.A.R.E.). Operation C.A.R.E. is a state-sponsored, national program intended to reduce crashes, fatalities and injuries due to impaired driving, speed and failing to wear a seat belt. 

During the 2022 four-day Operation C.A.R.E initiative for the July 4 holiday, Virginia troopers arrested 69 drivers for operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and cited 4,262 speeders and 1,585 reckless drivers. Troopers issued 429 citations to individuals for failing to buckle up, and another 131 citations for children not being properly secured in a vehicle. Virginia troopers also cited 165 drivers for being in violation of Virginia's year-old "hands free" law. 

Virginians are also reminded of the change to Virginia's existing "Move Over" law. Effective July 1, 2023, the law's protection expands to include to any stationary vehicle displaying hazard lights, warning signs (like an emergency triangle), or flares. An example of a situation like this might be a driver who pulls over to the side of the road to fix a flat tire. The law still requires drivers to change lanes and proceed with caution, if possible, when passing emergency vehicles and law enforcement vehicles displaying red or blue flashing lights, and utility, tow, highway maintenance and roadside assistance trucks displaying amber flashing lights on the roadside.  

RICHMOND, VA —The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and the National Association of Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) are reminding all boaters to stay safe and sober this summer, and always wear a life jacket while on the water. A good day on the water can turn tragic in seconds. No matter where you boat–from large lakes and rivers to small farm ponds—wearing a life jacket and staying sober are essential for safety! 

Operation Dry Water weekend, July 1-3, is the national weekend dedicated to amplified recreational boater outreach, education, and coordinated enforcement surrounding boating under the influence. Alcohol use continues to be the leading known contributing factor in recreational boater deaths and a leading contributor in boating incidents.^[1] DWR encourages all boaters to enjoy this boating season and help keep everyone safe by choosing to boat sober all year long. Use of both legal and illegal drugs also impairs judgment and reaction time and creates dangerous circumstances while on the water. 

"Individuals and families from across the country head to our nation's waterways for a fun, safe, and pleasant experience out on the water. Our goal is to not only educate boaters on the dangers of impaired boating, but also to remind them of other safe boating practices, such as enrolling in a boater education course and always wearing a life jacket," says Paige Pearson, Public Information Officer. "To ensure that everyone is safe out on the water, we have partnered with Operation Dry Water to assist in educating operators and passengers on the dangers associated with boating under the influence. DWR wants boaters to have a safe and enjoyable summer while out on the water, and to do that boat operators and passengers must remain sober and alert while underway." 

• While getting ready for the boating season, boaters should make sure they have U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets in good condition that fit every occupant of the boat, including children. 
• No matter what time of year you go boating, always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.  Also, have a plan to reboard your boat in case the unexpected happens and you end up in the water. 
• Weather conditions and a marine forecast can be found on the National Weather Service website.  The United States Geological Survey has water temperatures for some inland lakes and rivers. 

 To learn more about boating laws in Virginia and information on boating, boating education and water safety, please visit: dwr.virginia.gov/boating. Remember, everyone wants to have a safe, enjoyable day on the water. Do your part by wearing your life jacket and taking a boating safety education course. 

Always be responsible, be safe and have fun! #RecreateResponsibly  

ALWAYS WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKET. IT WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE. 

PLEASE DO NOT DISREGARD SAFETY MESSAGES. THEY ARE THERE TO PROTECT YOU! 

KENBRIDGE, VA. June 27, 2023. Benchmark Bankshares, Inc. is pleased to announce that Benchmark Community Bank has been named to the list of Top 200 Community Banks in the United States for the 17th consecutive year. Benchmark Bankshares, Inc. is the holding company for Benchmark Community Bank, headquartered in Kenbridge, VA.

“To be recognized for consistent financial performance when compared to over 4,500 peer banks across the nation is quite a tribute to the vision on which Benchmark was founded over a half-century ago.,” said Benchmark President/CEO Jay Stafford. “Our employees work so hard every day to fulfill our mission of serving our customers and communities. Everyone at Benchmark remains honored and humbled to, once again, be named to the list of Top 200 Community Banks in the U.S.”

Benchmark Community Bank has been named to list annually since 2007. For 2022, Benchmark  was ranked #45 in the United States, #2 among 13 Virginia banks, and #3 among nine North Carolina banks named to the list. The Top 200 Community Banks list is published annually in the May issue of American Banker magazine, the recognized leader in financial industry publications. Eligibility for the Top 200 list is based on a three-year average of a bank’s return on average equity for 2021-2022. Of the over 4,200 publicly traded community banks in the United States with asset size below $2 billion, fewer than 500 institutions met the criteria for consideration this year.