Williamson takes on new development job in Staunton

Former Waynesboro economic-development director Meghan Williamson has signed on as the interim executive director of the Staunton Community Creative Fund, a microlending-focused small-business-development nonprofit that launched last year.
Williamson stepped down from the economic-development job in Waynesboro in August. The city has yet to name a successor, and isn’t likely to have anybody heading its economic-development office until April, according to city officials.

Williamson takes over for founding executive director Anthony Smith, who recently resigned the post at the head of the Staunton Community Creative Fund, which also provides technical assistance and business-plan development to small business in Staunton.

The SCCF has also added Tanya Brockett to its staff as the director of operations. Brockett is the former director of the Central Virginia Small Business Development Center and CEO of Brockett Group LLC.

“I am very grateful to Tony Smith for his efforts in establishing the Fund and for his direction and leadership in the Fund’s first year of operation,” says Bill Hamilton, director of economic development for the City of Staunton and president of the board of directors of SCCF. “I am also confident we have assembled a highly qualified team to help the Fund grow and develop, and I am looking forward to seeing the Staunton Creative Community Fund expand its loan portfolio and programs in support of local businesses over the coming year,” Hamilton said.

“The quality and depth of assistance that is available to small and growing businesses in the Staunton region is remarkable,” Williamson said. “From the comprehensive business training and financing offered through SCCF to the direct-to-business incentives provided by the City, the case to locate and expand in Staunton is compelling. Tanya and I are both very excited to be cultivating local entrepreneurship and to provide the type of lending and development services that are unavailable through more traditional institutions,” Williamson said.

– Story by Chris Graham