Powhatan Program Highlights Locally Made Artisan Products

January 3, 2024

The Proudly Powhatan Produced (PPP) program provides a means to identify products made in Powhatan County and also encourages those in our community and beyond to support local artisans. By having an understanding of the types of goods made in our county, we are better equipped to be able to serve these business owners as an Economic Development Department, and local sellers of goods (stores like Maxey's or Fine Creek Provisions, etc.) are able to better understand their options for buying from local vendors. These local stores will be given window clings that advertise they are sellers of said local products.

A “Proudly Powhatan Produced” product can be described as a good that is made using raw materials sourced from Powhatan, VA (i.e., a woodworker who uses local timber to create furniture) and/or produced by an artisan in Powhatan from scratch (i.e., bakers, craft beverage makers, etc.). This program is entirely free to participants, as the only requirements are that they include a pre-produced logo on their product packaging, show their involvement in the program on social media, and notate their participation somewhere on their website. After completing these initial requirements, our Economic Development Department plans to reward these businesses with additional marketing materials, such as signs to use at local farmers markets and more.

Our department is also partnering with the Powhatan Village Farmers Market to introduce a "PPP Loyalty Program" for the 2024 market season. Each time you visit the market and stop by at least one PPP vendor, you'll receive a signature on your loyalty card. After ten signatures, you'll receive a neat canvas tote bag that you can then use while continuing to shop at the farmers market the rest of the season.

Additionally, our department also plans to host a series of pitch events (think "Shark Tank") that will allow these local makers to get in front of other local business owners who may want to sell their products in-store. We have already seen a number of our participants benefit greatly from relationships like these in the county.

For more information about the Proudly Powhatan Produced program, please email econdev@powhatanva.gov and make sure to keep your eyes peeled for additional updates this year!